Hills West captured a share of the League V title in 2019 with Hauppauge as they both finished with a record of 11-4. They went on to lost two playoff games to Shoreham-Wading River by the scores of 9-7 and 4-3.
That year’s team was led by the Silver Slugger Award winner of Suffolk County, infielder Mike Draskin who is now at Adelphi University. Another key contributor was Aidan Tornquist, who is now at Fordham University.
This year’s team will have a big senior class. The seniors include; Alex Au, Brian Bentz, Ryan Connelly, Mike Freda, Joe Genzardi, Jordan Goldstein, Jack Rovner, Aaron Rubin and Josh Waldman.
Michael Freda (Hills West 2021) with a max exit velocity of 92.1 pic.twitter.com/ZaGDPOX3HN
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 8, 2020
Head Coach Tom Migliozzi who has won over 400 games and led Hills West to the NY State Championship in 2003 noted that they will be counting on their two captains – Freda and Goldstein – this season both from a production and leadership stand point. Queens College-commit Freda is a 4-year varsity player as is Goldstein.
Migliozzi stated that he has been very pleased with their leadership abilities.
“Over their four years, they have grown into fantastic leaders,” he said. “I trust their decisions with the team – especially since we have six sophomores on the team. I have all the faith in their decision-making,” he added.
The fact that they have six sophomores is very unusual – that’s a very large number for a perennial playoff team. Two of those players have risen their profile through their performances in summer ball. They both figure to be key pieces of the Colts baseball program moving forward.
Those players are Justin LeGuernic and Ryan Muskopf.
“LeGuernic is a baseball player who can pitch – he’s a very good hitter that can play first base. He’s far from a P.O. – he’s just an all-around baseball player. He has a lot of potential and we are hoping every year he grows into his potential. The 6’4 southpaw is a very high-ceiling player.
Muskopf is someone that we featured as part of our ‘Up Next’ series two years ago. Him and LeGuernic both made the team last year before the season was canceled. He put up ridiculous numbers the past few summers and if they can get even a fraction of that production, the Colts are in great shape.
“Muskopf is an outfielder/pitcher and he has the potential to be a top player on Long Island. He’s strong at the plate. Pitching wise, he’s made great strides and he looks good,” he added.
Migliozzi noted that he doesn’t have many multi-sport athletes so they have been able to gather their whole team for workouts. Additionally, he said most of his players had been working with their travel programs in the winter so they’ve been able to prepare. Just as importantly, they have been practicing three hours per day.
“I think we’re ready to go – we put a lot of hours in,” he said.
They will open up against East Islip on Saturday at 8pm at Moriches Complex. The Redmen are expected to be a very strong team this season led by Adelphi-commit and ace John Rizzo.
He said that they’re not worried about who their opponents because “we don’t feel like it’s the other team beating us – if we do what we do, and play how we can play, we can win.”
