Massapequa is the 2018 NY Class AA Champs ! pic.twitter.com/c8IsF0PYDc
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 9, 2018
There are a number of programs on Long Island that have never won a county championship. Some of them might never experience it. For Massapequa Head Coach Tom Sheedy, who has won eight since 2006, winning championships has essentially become a tradition.
Not only is this number impossible to fathom, but it goes to show how consistent and dedicated his program is to being the best on Long Island every single year. He rarely disappoints.
Last year, Massapequa started the season off 4-5. Fast forward to May, and they finished with a record of 22-6, including a perfect 8-0 postseason.
Coming off two consecutive Class AA Long Island championships and a 2018 state championship, it’s safe to say Massapequa’s quest for a three-peat is in full effect. Not only do they return a plethora of talent, but they also have the postseason experience on their side.
For several reasons, the Chiefs come into the season as favorites to win it all once again. The scary part about them? They’re young with experience so their window is not closing.
Undeniably, Massapequa has the most talented all-around team in Class AA. They return three Division-I commits, two Division-II commits, and a few other players that are uncommitted but possess Division-1 talent. Not to mention, they all return from their state championship team a year ago.
Offensively, they are extremely deep. The face of their lineup once again will be North Carolina-commit junior Johnny Castagnozzi. In the last 16 years, he is the only player to start for the prestigious Massapequa program since he was a freshman. Aside from being a five-tool player with draft potential, he is a class act on and off the field.
What makes Massapequa stand out from their competition the most is their strong core of juniors. Another junior that returns to their starting lineup is Wade Kelly. Last season, he stood out as a sophomore and a result received some Division-I looks. Not only is he exceptional in all facets, but he’s also the fastest on the team.
Offensively, several other juniors will be seeking to make an impact any way they can. Expect Boston College-commit Travis Honeyman, Adelphi-commit Alex Rende and Rob Romeo to play important roles this season.
As seen last year with Andrew Primm (LIU Post), the leader of the team often comes from behind the plate. Expect the same to be said this year with St. John’s-commit Nick Schwartz and Miguel Montesdoca with sophomore stud Bobby Stang waiting in the wings. Schwartz is an excellent defensive catcher with a sub-2.0 pop time and has surprising power.
“He is a 3-year veteran player who is the rock that we will build off this season,” said Head Coach Tom Sheedy.
On the mound, Massapequa has numerous arms that will combine to make up as one of the most consistent pitching staffs in the county. They return juniors Bobby Conlon, Dan Meaney and seniors Kenny Galvin, Derek Haag, Dan Wolf and Adelphi-commit Chris Prystupa. Sophomore Gerry Kirchstetter will also seek to make an impact at the varsity level.
Last season, Colon started the state championship game and Galvin recorded 10 outs, allowing no hits in relief. Clearly, this pitching staff knows how to shine when the lights are brightest.
Massapequa also returns senior Chris DeSousa, who is coming off Tommy John surgery and was out all of last season. Before his injury, Chris was one of the top prospects in his class. The Chiefs hope to have him back on the mound and in the outfield this year.
In total, Massapequa returns 15 players from their state championship team. When considering the amount of postseason experience they have, this is a dangerous number for any team that wishes to compete with them.
This year, Massapequa’s biggest conference threats will be Oceanside, who they swept in the postseason three years in a row, and Farmingdale. Although both teams have loaded rosters, Massapequa definitely has the edge as far as winning and experience.
The Chiefs journey for a three-peat as county champions will begin on April 8th against Hempstead. I expect their dynasty to continue, as they are eager for another shot at a state title.
