From 2016-2018, Wantagh was the epitome of a team.
Each year they went into the postseason with detractors, and each time they came out as the last team standing – not just in the loaded Nassau Class A, but on Long Island. They even captured the State Championship in 2016.
Things didn’t go that way in 2019 – after they graduated five All-State players in a three-year span, they featured a much less experienced roster and it showed in the first-round of the playoffs in a 3-2 loss to Mepham.
In any event, they are entering 2020 poised to make a deep postseason run and head coach Keith Sachs – who knows a thing or two about winning- sees some positive signs entering the season.
“They have an insane level of commitment – 12 months out of the year,” he said. “Even the guys that are playing two-sports, they’ve still gotten their work in,” he said. “They are ready to continue our tradition. They have relentless commitment,” he added.
He cited the return of five key players that will be critical to this season’s success.
The rotation will be led by All-Conference RHP Matt Saborio, who won five games last season. Joining him in the rotation will be Ricky Russo, who will also be catching on the two days that he doesn’t pitch. That is a unique case for the Warriors.
“It’s not ideal,” said Sachs in regards to having a player catch as well as pitch. “But the bottom line is he was a middle infielder and he was squeezed with Devito and O’Connor there and we had a weakness behind the plate and he attacked it. I think if he pitches the third game of the week, it gives him three or four days of rest,” he added. The third spot in the rotation is a competition, but they also have a talented junior LHP Matt McCartin, who may have the inside track.
The offense will be led by St. Thomas Aquinas-commit Nick O’Connor. He was named All-Conference last season and hit over .400, he will be their starting second baseman.
His double play partner, JJ Devito, is committed to New York Tech.
“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast and has a big arm which is why Tech loves him,” he said. “He has a lot of power and will hit in the middle of the order,” he said.
Another key piece is CF Peter Del Gais, Sachs called him a “solid athlete” and noted “he should have a good year.”
Del Gais and O’Connor are both football players and Sachs cited that has allowed them to be confident playing in pressure situations in front of large crowds.
Wantagh will open up with three non-league games against Glen Cove, Manhasset and South Side before their first league game against Valley Stream North.
This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of their 2010 Long Island Championship. They will have a reunion for that, just as they had a 20-year celebration of the 1998 New York State championship winning team. Sachs stressed the importance of keeping the guys together.
“Our graduates are part of a family.”
