by Tony Genualdo
Last season for Hills East was full of ups-and-downs. The team got some early success going, including four walk-off victories. But in the end, they dropped 5 out of their last 6 games and were unable to make a playoff push. Nine seniors left the team following the season, including two-time All-League player Nick Gavilla (now at Adelphi University) and All-County player John Son (now at Utica College).
Coach Tim Belz is fortunate to have a deep team this year to cushion the loss of them.
“We are deep at every position this year,” Belz said. “So, filling the spots will be easy and there are open positional battles for every spot this year.”
He’s not wrong with the amount of talent on the team. Ten seniors return from last year. Among those players are Andrew Ferber and Jason Farnacci. Ferber, a SUNY New Paltz commit, has been helping a lot with the players coming from the JV team in getting them prepared for the season ahead. Farnacci has been helping everyone get focused. Their hopes of getting Hills East back in the playoffs are high.
“After making the playoffs for the past 4 seasons, we were in shock last year of not being a playoff team, but I think that has motivated this year’s team,” said Belz.
The offseason preparation has focused on the offense and the pitching. Belz says that the team this year is “more athletic” and have a “good amount of speed and defense.”
The competition is tough in the league this year. Newfield with their ace Dylan Johnson, as well as Northport with most of their staff returning this year. Smithtown West also looks to poised to return to the postseason. But Belz says that nothing is certain, especially this year with his team.
“In baseball, anything goes,” Belz said. “And if we are able to make the plays, throw strikes, and have some timely hitting, we can have a successful season.”
They are a proud program who just had the Carl Yastrzemski Award winner in 2018 (Matt Hogan) and Paul Gibson Award winner in 2017 (Patch Dooley). Coach Belz will certainly have his team ready for a bounceback year in 2020.
They will open up the season on March 30 at Huntington.
