After finishing 16-8 a season ago, Miller Place enters 2019 with expectations higher than ever.
Returning virtually every one of their impact players from last season, they are extremely dangerous.
Last season, they suffered two one-run losses to Shoreham Wading-River in the playoffs, which eliminated them. Considering their postseason exit was tragic, their returning stars know what defeat feels like and will do everything in their power to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
“We haven’t received the pre season attention we deserve and we like it that way,” said Head Coach Rick Caputo.
On paper, Miller Place has one of the most talented rosters in Suffolk County Class A.
For starters, they return all three pitchers in their rotation. The ace of their pitching staff will be senior Tom Nealis. Being named All-League a year ago, he seeks to continue his dominance this season. In 2018, he posted a 6-1 record with a 1.60 ERA, punching out 72 batters over 43.2 innings. He was also a factor at the plate, in which he batted .357 with 11 RBI.
Behind Nealis in the rotation is Gavin McAlonie and Ed Whitlow. After being extremely effective out of the bullpen last season, McAlonie seeks to transition his success to the rotation. Last season, he had 12 strikeouts over 11.2 innings, three saves and a 2.4 ERA. Whitlow was also named All-League last season, in which he posted a 3-2 record, 2.70 ERA and struck out 20 batters over 25.1 innings. He also possesses the two-way threat, as he batted .302 with 15 RBI in 2018. Dylan Carleo hopes to make an impact on the mound.
Junior Jack Follo will be in charge of handling this talented pitching staff behind the plate. After being called up from JV halfway through the season, Follo made an impact right away. At the plate, he batted .333 with a .556 OBP.
Offensively, Miller Place returns the core of their lineup. Their catalyst will be junior Kevin Bowrosen. As a sophomore, he was named All-League and batted .281 with a .418 OBP, 10 RBI and 12 stolen bases. He will also be the leader of their defense.
Feared in the middle of the lineup, Robby Morales seeks to build on his ridiculous 2018. Last season, he batted .424 with 2 HR, 9 XBH and 31 RBI. Obviously, he was named All-County. Senior Nolan White also returns to their lineup, as he brings the two-way threat to the table. Trevor Juranik hopes to make an impact as a first-year varsity player.
Evidently, Miller Place enters 2019 as one of the favorites to win League VII. Although they have an extremely tough schedule, they believe they can compete with anybody on the island. Their opponents include Amityville, Shoreham Wading-River, Mt. Sinai, Bayport Blue-Point and John Glenn.
“Soon League VII will know who we are and we plan on winning a state championship this year,” said Coach Caputo.
