Consistency has been synonymous with Clarke baseball over the past two decades since Head Coach Tom Abruscato took over in 1999. There may be no simple formula to the success, but a good place to start is their work ethic and dedication.
For example, the team has been running team workouts on Sundays for the past few weeks, beginning at 8 a.m.
With full attendance from all players in the program.
How many teams have that type of commitment from players?
It has resulted in some unprecedented success. From 2002-’10, they played in either the Nassau County Class A semifinals or finals every single season–including the NYS Class A title in both 2002 and 2005. They lost the state finals in 2009 and won the County Championship again in 2013; led by Matt Seelinger and Jesse Russo, who are both currently playing professional baseball.
It also doesn’t hurt two have some quality players all around the diamond including two scholarship pitchers that are anchoring the rotation.
RHP Brendan Turton and LHP Chris Lydon are two of the main reasons that 2019 is likely to result in another postseason appearance for the Rams. They are both committed to Dominican College, they both were All-Conference and they both had ERA right around 1.00 last season. Abruscato is supremely confident in his two workhorses.
“Brendan pitches in the mid 80s, he’s got great command and he’s got experience. His two older brothers pitched in college,” he said in regards to him. “Lydon is more of the typical crafty lefty. He’s got a lot of movement on his pitches–they both pitch inside well,” he added.
Abruscato noted that it will be an open competition for the third spot in the rotation. They had a reliable No. 3 pitcher last season in Matt Rubenstein but has since graduated and is currently at Queens College.
Needless to say, the pitching staff will be the strength of the team, but that does not mitigate the potential of their offense.
Leading the charge is captain and junior catcher Chris Giardino. He was called up to varsity as an eighth grader and started immediately. He also batted .330 that season and .390 as a freshman. His average “dipped” down into the mid .300s last season but he was also voted captain, was named All-County and handled their three stud pitchers. Abruscato has the utmost confidence in him.
Junior Chris Giardino was an All-County catcher last season. He’s been a starter since 8th grade and has hit well over .300 each season including .390 as a freshman. He’s received a number of scholarship offers, according to coach. pic.twitter.com/AChBUAEte6
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 27, 2019
“It’s extremely rare for us to call up a freshman; I believe it’s only been done four or five times since I’ve been here,” he said in regards to the quality of talent that Giardino possesses. He put on a great showing during their batting practice, which came as no surprise from a player that has several scholarship offers from Division-II programs.
Not to be overlooked is sophomore Tyler Cox. The smooth-swinging lefty “led the team in virtually all offensive categories” last season, according to Abruscato.
Tyler Cox led the team in virtually all offensive categories as a freshman. Coach Abruscato is counting on him for production in the middle of the lineup pic.twitter.com/2rm2r3zgyd
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 27, 2019
“He’s a gap-to-gap hitter, but he’s also put on about 20 lbs of muscle and has grown to about 6’0″ since the end of last season so it’s possible he adds some power,” he said.
Coach named a few other players that will be impact players this season.
Chris Cumbo, younger brother of E.J., has a chance to start at either of the middle infield positions. He was called up as a sophomore last season, and Abruscato noted that he is the right-handed clone of his older brother. That is high praise, considering E.J. batted over .500 for his three-year varsity career.
Another Dominican College-bound player they will be counting on is Steven Lee. He has the ability to play every position and Abruscato noted that gives them options.
“Back in the day, we had options where we could play guys, I think we have that again this season,” he said.
They will also be counting on OF Derek Smith and OF Anthony Dilluvio to provide production.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle will simply be Nassau County Class A’s depth. It was always extremely competitive with teams like Wantagh, Division, MacArthur, North Shore, Garden City, etc but now they will have Calhoun added which is a perennial playoff team that was a playoff team again last year.
There will be an incredible amount of 37 teams competing in Class A this season, but Clarke has as good of a chance as anyone to compete with Wantagh for that crown.
