Island Trees captured the 2021 Nassau Conference V Championship with an exciting 3-2 victory over Clarke. They also had to defeat them the day before, which was an 8-3 victory. It was the third County Championship in their program’s history. A major reason behind their incredible season was their impressive group of juniors
Prior to the season when I was writing their season preview, their head coach Joseph D’Auria told me he was optimistic about their chances because of how committed his players are. He stated his players were all the type that “eat, sleep and breathe baseball.” For me as a reporter and scout, that’s a phrase that is very specific to teams that are going to be successful. Coaches won’t say that if they don’t truly believe it. And in a condensed baseball season, that’s a team that’s going to find ways to win games.
Here’s the final out of the game for Island Trees – a strikeout by Vinny Giambona – to send them into the Long Island Championship pic.twitter.com/tlcB1bPIsj
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 18, 2021
Giambona had an unbelievable season. He was named Conference V Pitcher of the Year after going 6-1 with a 1.80 ERA over 46.1 IP, six complete games and two saves. He was no slouch at the plate, batting .340 with a .405 OBP, notching 19 hits and stealing 11 bases. I think right now, he can be a Division-II starting pitcher at any northeast school and would be successful. He’s currently uncommitted, but that shouldn’t be the case much longer if he continues to perform.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
Entering the season, Island trees seemed like a sleeper pick to make a run – but within your locker room did you feel you had the talent to win it all?
I 100% think that Island Trees had the talent to win it all. We are a close group of guys who have played together for a long time. Unfortunately we did not play school ball last year which was upsetting for us because we lost a talented group of seniors. We made the plays we needed to and pitched well in almost every game, our batting line up was able to get on base hitters 1 through 9. I believe we had the LIC in our hands had we done a few things better. The team was happy to be there because no one expected it and it was a great experience for our juniors and sophomores.
After the playoff loss to Clarke, it definitely seemed like there was a fire lit under your team, did you feel like there was a spark that Clarke may have ignited for you?
There was definitely fire lit under me and my team. There were a lot of people including family and friends coming to watch that game because of the hype our team was gaining. We felt that not only did we let ourselves down, we also let down everyone coming to support us. Personally, that Clarke game hit harder for me then almost any other game I have played in. I was coming off an amazing regular season. My ERA was a .6 and I had 5 complete games in a row coming into that playoff loss. I knew I had to let it go right away because there was more baseball to play and I knew I would see them again.
Coming back on short rest is never easy and you did it against the best team, how were you able to not only bounce back but do it against a great team that can score runs in bunches? Did you switch up your gameplan or anything that you did the outing prior in the loss
Clarke is an amazing team and it is undeniable that they had one of the best lineups on Long Island. I was coming off a save against Seaford and a save against Clarke the day before the big start for me. I looked at what I did the first time I pitched to them when we won 3-1, and the second time when we lost 17-0. I had to switch up my gameplan and I had to trust my defense. I knew Clarke had made adjustments for my breaking balls so I had to attack early in the count and hit all of my spots. I wanted to mirror exactly what I did in the first game and still attack with my slider on the first pitch as well as throwing it in hitters counts to steal strikes. I was keeping the ball soft and away because they have many batters that can pull the ball for a homerun. I also have one of the best catchers around. Justin Mott was able to steal strikes for me and throw runners out all year. My team strung together hits against a great pitcher and we battled to the end.
Who are some people you credit your success to?
I would credit my success to my past and present trainers, travel and school coaches, as well as my family and friends for supporting me and helping me with everything. My teammates are the biggest credit of success for me, we spent countless hours in the cage and at the field together just hitting, fielding and throwing. In my opinion the reason we were so successful was because of the fun we had on and off the field.
The Island Trees class of ’22 seems very strong with players like you, Waiting and Ducatelli – did you guys know from an early age that it was a special group?
Waiting and Ducatelli are amazing players and even better teammates. We knew we had a special group from the time we were young. At clinics the past Island trees teams would tell us as well as the coaches. In 9th grade we were all extremely excited for all of us to be on Varsity together. We told everyone we would get the school a county championship, we work very hard and the team is like my second family.
It’s crazy to think that Kyle Chase could be on your team as well, is he a friend of yours and do you guys ever talk what it would be like to add him to the team?
Kyle Chase is an outstanding player, I couldn’t even describe the team we would be if we added him to our roster. Kyle is a friend of mine and I joke with him telling him to come back. We know how we would be if we added him to our roster, I believe we would have another run at a county championship.
What are your goals this summer?
I have a few goals this summer, my biggest goal is commiting to a college. I also want to have over a .400 batting average as well as having under a 1 ERA. I play with a great group of guys who are very talented and for a great organization in Long Island Elite. We have already won one championship and I can’t wait for many more to come.
Favorite type of food?
My favorite type of food is pizza rolls
Favorite musical artists?
My favorite musical artists is Polo G
Favorite players in Major League Baseball?
My favorite MLB player is Matt Olsen
Favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is Florida
Favorite baseball trip you’ve been on?
My favorite baseball trip I have been on was the Ripken Baseball tournament.
