by Chris Sacchi
Anthony Frascogna is entering his 21st season as head coach of Patchogue-Medford high school. He also serves as President of the Suffolk Baseball Coaches Association, which has become a whole new role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was a little bit of work, and I’m thankful that people were receptive to the suggestions we put out there, because sometimes, it’s hard to get people to change their minds,” Frascogna said. “I’m proud of what we were able to do as far as maximizing the number of games in a safe way, with the time allotment, and not really altering the big things.”
“I mean, it’s going to be a lot different than we’ve had in the past, but I think we made the most of what we have.”
Changes for this season, among others, include playing three games a week, with no series play; each of the three games is a different team.
Coach pointed out that potential quarantines and contact tracing could wreak havoc on a three-game series with a team, affecting standings and key matchups. He also added that the lack of series play “gets everybody the chance to play the most games, and get to see teams they don’t normally play.”
As for his Patchogue-Medford roster, even a coach with as much experience as Frascogna is in the same boat as most coaches across the country.
“We are dealing with a lot of guys that haven’t experienced what varsity baseball is like,” coach said. “It’s a day in, day out kind of a thing. You really start to see the guys who are the real deal.”
Pat-Med is coming off an exciting 2019 season, punching a ticket to the postseason on a walk-off win over Longwood. The walk-off was set up by a complete game from Randall Alejo, who finished his performance by leaving the bases loaded.
There are a few players on this year’s roster who were a port of that ‘19 team, with the varsity experience coach is talking about.
Senior Patrick Dallas is a Farmingdale State commit who coach says “played a little infield, played a little outfield back then [in 2019] as a sophomore.” This season, Frascogna is looking for Dallas to captain the infield.
“He’s really a shortstop now. He’s someone that has seen it and experienced it.”
Another player with varsity experience from the 2019 season, who coach is looking at for production and leadership, is senior pitcher and first baseman Dante Morabito.
“He’s somebody that the guys tend to gravitate towards as a leader. He’s a very no nonsense kind of a kid, and a no excuses kind of guy,” Frascogna said.
“I’m glad he got himself into a leadership position without us naming them a captain. You could just tell that guys follow his lead.”
As for the rest of the group, coach says having a unified system in place will make it easier on those who haven’t had a taste of varsity yet.
“We’re fortunate. We do a lot of the same stuff at all age levels,” Frascogna said. “So as far as system stuff, guys know what to do. They know about our practice, they know different defensive things, some offensive things that we do as a program.”
While the system will help, coach knows the players who are ready will show it once the games begin.
“It’s just a matter of doing it every day. That’s the thing; we have to see if they can handle it, just coming every day, because this year we’re playing on the first day that we’re eligible to play,” Frascogna said.
“We need guys to really, really take it seriously, get focused, and make a commitment to be there and put in the work every day.”
A great example of this is junior center fielder Tyree Jackson, who is currently the school’s quarterback.
“He’s probably the best center field that I’ve ever had. He can go from foul line to foul line. He’s got a great arm,” coach said.
Frascogna has known Jackson way before he was vying for the varsity roster.
“We’ve had him coming to camp since he was four or five years old, we had to put them up with the six and seven year olds. That kind of a kid where you actually started naming the awards of camp to Tyree Jackson, because he won every award.”
One of the two HRs hit by Tyree Jackson (Pat-Med 2022) last night pic.twitter.com/3pXYefZQE3
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 4, 2020
One aspect that coach is looking to lean on is pitching, which he calls a “strong point” of the team.
Sophomore righty Josh Knoth has earned high praise.
“He’s got a chance to be an elite guy,” Frascogna said. “Good composure on the mound. He can control the game when the game tries to get out of hand. He can strike out guys, he throws hard. He definitely physically matured from a 9th grader to a 10th grader.”
Josh Knoth (Pat-Med 2023) up to 84 pic.twitter.com/VcaMF9auJz
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 8, 2020
“I think he’s going to be a real good one, a dominant one. He could be one of the guys that we look back on as one of the better guys we’ve ever had on the mound.”
Also leading the charge is senior righty Zach Rovner, who is committed to Adelphi.
“He’s had some good summer experience. He’s played some quality teams in summer baseball,” coach said. “He looks pretty legit right now. We’re just hoping he reaches his potential for us because that’ll be a big plus.”
Senior catcher Anthony Logiacco will be tasked with handling this pitching staff, while also adding some balance to the lineup as a left-hand hitter. He is committed to Cazenovia College.
Fellow senior Matt Schlanger is a second baseman who will provide valuable defense and a good bat, along with senior third baseman Justin Moustaka.
These seniors will be key in implementing one theme from Frascogna going into this year, echoed throughout this article; coming to the field with the right mindset everyday.
“If we’re going to do anything this year, as far as winning our conference, our guys are going to have to be consistent.”
They will open up on May 7 against Riverhead at 8pm at Medford Complex.
