Simply put, Steve Costello has been one of the most successful coaches in Long Island history. He’s won 512 games, 5 Long Island Championships – including the historic undefeated season in 1994, which was his second season with the team. They were in the County Finals each year from 2006-’08 and again from 2010-’13.
Additionally, he has 8 players that have won the coveted Diamond Award – most recently in 2018 with Brandon Buchan. There is a chance they add to that list this year with the presence of RHP JT Raab atop the rotation. The 6’5 230 lb pitcher is committed to Stony Brook and is a physical specimen. He was All-County in 2019 and even defeated Clarke in the semifinals of the Nassau County playoffs. He was slated to be their ace last season as well before the cancellation.
“He hasn’t matured much,” Costello said jokingly. “He was already basically a grown up when I first met him,” he added. He just threw a ‘pen the other day he was sitting 88 MPH. Unfortunately, he’ll be playing first base for us when he’s not pitching because he throws the first game of the series and I don’t want to hurt his arm. He’s probably our best second baseman, shortstop and third basemen – even at 6’5, 230. He’s just so athletic. I would be more surprised if he DOESN’T get drafted in three years,” he added.
It will be a great match up on May 4 in their season opener against Mepham – who will likely throw Bucknell-commit Tyler O’Neill.
Raab topping at 88 MPH today pic.twitter.com/PVdE6H91mx
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 18, 2020
Along with Raab in the rotation will be senior Jason Wall, who is committed to St. John Fisher. He is the youngest of three MacArthur players. The older pitched in the Long Island Championship against Connetquot in 2015 before playing at Concordia. He also has a brother playing at Stevenson. Jason will form a solid duo with Raab in the rotation.
One of the other players that accrued time on varsity in 2019 is Matt Sarni. He was just a freshman at the time and dealt with a fractured tailbone, but was able to get some at bats – including a double in his first game. Unfortunately, he had Tommy John surgery in October so will not be able to pitch this season but Costello noted that he has a doctor’s appointment in early May and they are hoping he will be cleared to throw competitively. In the meantime, he will DH for them and they are pleased with that.
OF Anthony Vaughan will likely lock down one of the outfield spots, Costello said “he’s a really nice player and he’ll be important part of the lineup.” He played JV in 2019 but performed very well. Costello noted that he is looking at Div-III schools to attend.
They will likely have some younger players called up as well. Costello stated that they have one player that is currently a sophomore that was slated to be a starter last season. They have another sophomore that will be called up and possibly a freshman who is supremely talented.
They will be looking to return to the Nassau County Finals for the first time since defeating Oceanside in 2015. Since then, they have consistently won games but just haven’t gotten over the hump. They have compiled a record of 49-19-2 in the past four seasons.
“We want to hit the ground running,” said Costello. “They will be playing intersquad games three times during the week of tryouts to figure out the right mix of players.
