If you have been following Nassau County Baseball for the last 4-5 years, you know who the top teams are.
Since 2015, North Shore, Wantagh and Division have each appeared in the semifinals at least twice and the county championship a combined six times. In 2018, the three teams combined for a record of 45-9. This year, all three teams will be in the same conference.
Stacked? I think so.
However, there is one team in particular that stands out the most in Conference A4 and that is the North Shore Vikings.
With Wantagh and Division graduating a significant amount of seniors in 2018, North Shore is on the complete opposite side of the spectrum.
They enter the 2019 season returning several amount of key players that led them to a 14-4 record last year. Their only playoff losses came to the back-to-back-to-back Long Island Champion Wantagh Warriors.
On paper, North Shore doesn’t possess a single weak spot. The only major loss they will experience is Anthony Carleo, who batted .409 with 8 HR last year and was a Diamond Award finalist. Offensively, defensively, the coaching staff and the pitching staff all have plenty of Varsity experience and are ready to rumble. This team is without a doubt one of the favorites to win the county championship.
In total, the Vikings return 11 players in 2019, including five individuals who won postseason awards in 2018. Offensively, they return seven every day starters.
Some of their key pieces include Bard-commit Matt Lewin, Michael Tedesco and Will Scarola. As a sophomore and a junior, Lewin hit above .360 in both seasons. Last year, he hit two home runs, scored 22 runs, swiped 12 bags and was named All-Conference. The five-tool player is also one of the best defensive center fielders in the county.
In the middle of the order, Tedesco batted .335 in 2018 with 3 HR and 15 RBI. He was named All-League. In the middle infield, Junior Will Scarola is coming off a spectacular 2018, in which he started every game as a sophomore, batting .360, driving in 12 runs and stole 15 bases. Evidently, he has attracted interest from Division-I schools.
Other seniors who will play important roles this season are Marc Aufiero, Lorenzo Sferrazza, Kyle Bolowsky, David Parrett and Matt Saltzman.
The starting rotation alone collected three postseason awards. This stacked North Shore rotation consists of Sacred Heart-commit David Aufiero, Rob Clarke and Hartwick-commit (Football) Dan Livoti. Not only do they return their entire starting rotation, but they portray quite the resume. For starters, they combined for 16 wins and 122 K’s last season.
David Aufiero, the ace, finished 2018 with a 7-1 record, posting a 1.14 ERA with 67 K’s over 49 innings. In the playoffs, Aufiero had two starts, both resulting in complete game victories. Offensively, he even chimed in, finishing with a .311 BA and driving in 12 runs. The Diamond Award nominee was All-County last year, so expect nothing less from him this season.
Behind Aufiero on the mound are Rob Clarke and Dan Livoti, both who were named All-Conference in 2018. Clarke finished 2018 with a 5-2 record and a 2.78 ERA.
Aside from Livoti posting an 8-4 record on the mound as a sophomore and a junior, this year will mark his fourth consecutive year in the North Shore starting lineup as a catcher. He displays incredible defensive skills and is a leader for this experienced North Shore team.
Not only does this North Shore lineup display a significant amount of experience, but their coaching staff is considered among the best in the county. Coach Lineman and Coach Gates have led significantly less talented North Shore teams deep into the playoffs in the past. Therefore, with the talent provided to them this season, the sky is the limit.
Heading into the season, it’s evident North Shore is in great hands. The entire team has worked extremely hard in the weight room all season, and has followed the winter program. Their pitchers will throw their first bullpens this week.
North Shore opens up the season against their two toughest opponents, Wantagh and Division. These will be their biggest tests of the year, but teams they are capable of competing with.
These Vikings are dangerous.
