by Andrew Giantasio
Final: Hauppauge 2, BBP 1 (11 innings)
WP: Pete SandersonRyan Levenberg hits walk-off sac fly
Rob Ray pitches CG pic.twitter.com/ANoE4lPiD0
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 21, 2018
Despite having their season end at the hands of Miller Place in the postseason, it was another winning season for the Hauppauge Eagles. They played a thrilling extra-inning game against Bayport-Blue Point in which Ryan Levenberg hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning to spoil League MVP Rob Ray’s gem.
With a year of Class A baseball under their belt, Josh Gutes‘ club enters 2019 as one of the favorites once again. While three new teams enter the Class A division this year (Eastport, Hills West and West Babylon), in their second season, the Hauppauge Eagles are ready to take flight.
It won’t be easy as they have to replace several key contributors who graduated from last years team. This includes Left fielder Nick Sellitto, who was the teams three hitter (now at Case Western Reserve University), and pitcher Pete Sanderson (now at the College of Mount St. Vincent), as well as all-county pitcher Kevin Sambuco.
Looking to help fill the void this year are two reserves from last year’s squad that are returning as seniors, Dan Lippman and Mike Knopf. Lippman will be the team’s starting second baseman, while Knopf will move all around the diamond for the Eagles, with potential to play either corner spots in the outfield, in addition to time at catcher, first base, while also serving as one of the team’s starting pitchers. These two are expected to play major roles this upcoming season.
For the Eagles to move forward they’re going to need to rely on a couple of key bats from last year’s team, to help push forward. Leading the charge is Anthony Ferrara. Now a three-year starter and All-League player who led the Eagles in hitting, Ferrara will play shortstop for the Eagles and will be their leadoff hitter.
Junior, Ryan Levenberg (Committed to Hofstra) will be anchoring the rotation, as he was responsible for four wins on the mound last season. Finally, the Eagles will look to rely on catcher Chris Leone (sophomore) who started last year as a freshman for the Eagles.
The Eagles graduated thirteen seniors last year and when that happens, you’re going to have to rely on some contributors making the jump from junior varsity. Spring scrimmages should play a major role in finding who will be the right contributors to round out this team. Still, there is a lot to be excited about this season for the Hauppauge Eagles.
Fortunately for the Eagles, they have one of the brightest and respected young coaches on Long Island in Gutes. He not only helped turn Nick Fanti into a professional pitcher, but also has a dozen former players currently playing in college, with 2017 graduate Matt Overton just recently named ECC Preseason Player of the Year. This speaks volumes about the culture that he has created, the level of comfort that the players have with him and ultimately the results that he is generating.
They open up their 2019 season with a non-league match up on March 28 at John Glenn.
