2021 Robert Stephens (Island Trees); lean 6-foot-3 175 pounds with some arm side life at 80-82, T 83 MPH. Showed a slider like CB at 64-65 MPH with some fade to the CH at 72-73 MPH. @DanCevette pic.twitter.com/aGRefmGbMf
— PBR New York (@PBRNewYork) February 20, 2020
If you’re going to choose one position to have your most experienced player, you might as well have it be your ace pitcher. That’s the case for Island Trees entering 2021 after graduating eight seniors last year.
Robby Stephens, who is committed to D’Youville College, can run it up to 86 MPH and put together a great sophomore season in 2019. He compiled a record of 2-1, with a superb 1.73 ERA. He allowed 26 hits over 33 IP with close to a strikeout per inning.
“We are counting on him,” said Head Coach Joseph D’Auria. “He’ll take on a leadership role and he will anchor our staff,” he added.
While Stephens is the lone player with varsity experience, that doesn’t mean they lack in power.
D’Auria had high praise for junior slugger Anthony Ducatelli.
“He has huge upside. He has the best left-handed swing I’ve seen since Greg Thomson,” referring to the 2002 Island Trees grad who later went on to star at St. John’s University and get drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005.
“He’s grown so much recently and he’s a Division-I prospect. He’s about 6’1 175 lbs now and he’s just a baseball player. I think he’ll end up being terrific,” he added. Ducatelli will also contribute on the mound as well as in the lineup.
D’Auria also mentioned Vinny Giambona, a pitcher/shortstop. He said, “We’re counting on him to be in the rotation. He can really run and he’s just a good all-around player,” he added.
Behind the dish they have Justin Mott and St. Joseph’s-commit Joe DiFino, who will split time but DiFino can also play outfield and DH. D’Auria stated that Mott is a great athlete as well and they’re very excited about him.
In general, their 2022 class is very strong.
“That group is just a bunch of hardcore baseball players – they eat, sleep and breathe it. And we haven’t had a group like that in a long time.”
They will open up against Wheatley on May 4. Their conference will include Clarke (reigning Class A Champs), Seaford, East Rockaway, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor and Carle Place.
D’Auria noted that their district has been pretty good with them allowing to practice provided that they follow the guidelines. Their pitchers have been throwing bullpens twice per week at 6am and they had eight practices in the fall with all their coaches.
They appear like a strong bet to make a playoff run this season.
