This is the second installment of the 2021 Fall Ball Series. Special thanks to East Coast S & P for sponsoring this year’s series once again – make sure to check them out here!
And Farmingdale State is your 2019 Skyline Conference Champs ! pic.twitter.com/N0ccC8e8kM
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 7, 2019
A lot has happened in the world since Farmingdale’s last Skyline Conference Championship – and that was just two years ago.
That team rolled through the conference tournament with three straight wins on their way to another championship – which was their sixth of the decade. While it appeared they were in great shape to repeat in 2020, the world had other plans and their 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic after a 3-2 start. The seniors were granted another opportunity to come back, but not all of them opted to return which, in turn, made for a very young 2021 team.
Coach Keith Osik, a 10-year MLB veteran, now entering his 16th season at the helm for the Rams, stated that they had a whopping 24 freshmen on their roster. That inexperience was not apparent until their schedule got a little more tougher. They began the season with an 8-2 start and appeared to be a title contender yet again. But once March turned to April – things went south. They were swept by rival St. Joseph’s-LI, split with Old Westbury and were swept by Merchant Marine Academy. They finished with a record of 11-11 and did not qualify for the postseason for the first time since joining the conference in 2007 and their lowest win total since 2005. In between that timeframe, the Rams have established themselves as one of the elite Division-III programs in the region. From 2008-2014, they won seven consecutive Skyline Conference Championships, they advanced to the Division-III College World Series in 2009 and they nearly made it in 2012 (lost in extra innings to Cortland in the finals).
“We’ve had similar talent as last year, but we just didn’t have the buy-in,” he said.
Last year’s team did not hit for much power, as they compiled a team slugging percentage of .377. They had moved in the left field fence about 10 feet the previous fall in an effort to level the playing field between the offense and pitching at the park. Coach Osik stated it did not have much of an impact, perhaps due to the wind at the field.
In any event, they do return their top performing hitters from last year – Nolan White (.528 SLG), Bobby Pollack (.521 SLG) and Jordan Lambert (.306 AVG).
Lambert is an especially exciting player. Osik noted they put a lot on his plate as a freshman as he was tasked with starting at first base, hitting in the middle of the lineup and even pitching 10 innings. Expect that to increase in his sophomore season. He pitched extremely well during yesterday’s intraqsuad. The lefty was throwing in the mid 80s, and he should be a high-volume pitcher for them as well as assuming a run-producing role on the team. He had a penchant for the big moment last year as he drove in a couple runs via walk-off early in the season.
The pitching staff should be in good hands with their two catchers – Louis Annunziata and Aidan Hutchins.
“As disappointing of a season last year was, we found some freshmen,” said Osik. This bodes well for their future. Hutchins is a proven winner from his time at Shoreham-Wading River and Annunziata showcased him arm behind the dish yesterday throwing out a runner at second with a seed.
As is always the case, Farmingdale was able to find some hidden gems in the offseason. Osik stated he’s been impressed with Nassau CC-transfer Richard Apollo, and he said he’s “looking for him to step in the middle of the lineup.”
He also mentioned Kyle Dorsett, a “toolsy” outfielder from Freeport. They also will get a boost with the return of Mike Iacobellis, a sixth year senior that can crush the ball. Daniel Molina, an East Meadow native, hit .292 during his brief time last season and he showed his potential with a well-struck single during intrasquad. He’s a player that could see a big jump in playing time and impact.
The pitching staff will be led by Stephen Clancy, the right-hander from Mineola. He had a 1.78 ERA over 35 innings last season. They will be leaning on him to provide length and quality innings once again.
Farmingdale State ace Stephen Clancy led the team with a 1.78 ERA over 35 innings last season pic.twitter.com/KCJoSfi2S9
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 2, 2021
They will open up the season on February 26 in Florida. They were unable to travel last season, which had always been a big part of their process to see which players can be counted on and also to develop team chemistry.
As long as Osik is in charge they will always have a shot so there’s no reason to count out the Rams any time soon.
