Led by the heroics of Matt Yip, Herricks was one of the pleasant surprises in the year 2019. The power-hitting catcher led Nassau County with seven HR; including two in the postseason. Herricks finished with a record of 11-7 during the regular season, but was eliminated by Hewlett in a one-run game.
Losing Yip – a finalist for the coveted Diamond Award – will be a challenge for the team. He was named All-County. They also graduated All-Conference 1B Mike Scordo, who is now at West Florida.
Head Coach Rich Bizelia, now in his 10th season, knows this season will be an uphill battle as they will be extremely young. But with great challenge comes great opportunity and they have that with the new re-alignment. They will be in the American League of Nassau County Class A which will also feature MacArthur, Long Beach, Mepham, Calhoun, Great Neck South, New Hyde Park, Garden City, Sewanhaka, Elmont, Manhasset, Carey, Bellmore JFK, Jericho, South Side, Hewlett and Glen Cove. When this change was announced, there was certainly a mixed reaction. Eliminating the traditional format was a huge change for a sport that is hesitant to accept change.
Coach Bizelia was not among those complaining about the change.
“I kind of like it,” he said. “It gives us some relief knowing we don’t have to play MacArthur or Mepham or Calhoun three times each. It gives us a puncher’s chance in the games we face one of those team. It sort of levels the playing field. I think it’s a good thing,” he added.
They will have the pitching advantage in many games; notably when ace Peter Carreca (Delaware St) is on the hill. He was All-League as a junior and has proven his mettle at the varsity level. Last year, his win-loss record was deceiving as he lost two games where he left with the lead in the 7th inning.
“He throws in the mid 80s, he’s commands his fastball well as well as his slider and change up. So he commands three pitches. He’s done it against some good teams which is promising,” he said.
As for the rest of the rotation, that is yet to be determined. Bizelia called it an open competition.
“We will use our scrimmages and non-leagues to figure that out,” he said. “The guys that get hitters out and don’t walk hitters will get the first opportunity,” he added.
The offense is counting on leadoff hitter, second baseman Jake Murciano. Bizelia said he “did a great job for us last year.” Additionally, utility man and pitcher Sean Park will be a critical piece to the team.
They will play non-league games against Uniondale, Floral Park, Valley Stream South and Valley Stream North before opening up league play against MacArthur.
