By Michael Malaszczyk
While every baseball team on Long Island was affected by the coronavirus pandemic with the full shutdown in 2020 and case surges in 2021, North Babylon was hit particularly hard. A number of North Babylon’s starting players began the season while in quarantine, and one of North Babylon’s coaches was put in a ten day quarantine in the middle of the season.
Nevertheless, North Babylon bounced back to have a strong season that saw them finish 9-9 overall and clinch a playoff spot, defying these early hiccups.
“After a 0-3 start, the team battled to clinch a playoff berth on the final day of the season with a 1-0 win over Walt Whitman,” said Corrado. “Eventually we lost to Bay Shore in the first round of the playoffs.”
Corrado is proud of his team for overcoming the odds and hopes for greater things in 2022.
“Going into last season we did not really know what to expect, our off season workouts and schedule were curtailed by COVID and indoor rules,” said Corrado. “The 2021 team played in many tight games with 6 wins and 5 losses being decided by 2 runs or less including six games decided in the final at-bat.”
North Babylon saw three star players graduate last year: pitcher Colin Rhein (1.20 ERA, now playing for Stony Brook), pitcher/third baseman Kevin Carolan (2.50 ERA, now playing for Stevenson University), and pitcher/shortstop Jake Baptist (also playing for Stevenson University).
North Babylon – 3
Smithtown East – 2WP – Colin Rhein
Complete game, 8 hits allowed, 1 earned run, 8KsDevonte Bailey 2-3, 2 runs scored, 2 stolen bases
Kevin Carolan drove in the go ahead run with a single in the bottom of the 5th. North Babylon is 8-6 pic.twitter.com/VFsEuTx2FQ
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 5, 2021
Corrado feels these three will be sorely missed, saying “Colin Rhein set a school record by striking out 17 batters after the bases were loaded in the first inning with no outs. That would be the only time a runner made it past second base in the game.”
This year’s team will bring a mix of both experienced and rookie players.
“When the season ended there were five starters who were sophomores or juniors and they will return in 2022 with invaluable experience on the varsity level,” said Corrado. “However, our seniors made up 80% of the innings pitched last season, so this year’s team has little varsity experience on the mound.”
On-the-job training shouldn’t be a problem for players who already have varsity experience, and given North Babylon’s comeback from a disappointing early season, these players will undoubtedly be assets to the team.
In terms of players to look out for, Coach Corrado was quick to name outfielder Devonte Bailey (‘22), catcher Dylan Rhein (‘22), pitcher/first baseman Liam Daly (‘22), pitcher/infielder Hayden Magliano (‘23), pitcher/outfielder Justin Arciniegas (transfer from SJB ’22), pitcher Ben Rosenberg (‘23), and Eric Schulteisz (‘23).
Justin Arciniegas (St. John the Baptist 2022) 79-82 MPH with command of curveball and change up pic.twitter.com/QWxd0w4Pfe
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 8, 2020
Coach Corrado spoke highly of all of these players; he feels the players themselves are his team’s biggest strength.
“Dylan Rhein, Devonte Bailey and Liam Daly have been positive leaders for the young team,” said Corrado. “This year’s team is very athletic. The athleticism allows for multi-positional versatility. Bailey led the team in runs scored and is the catalyst for the offense out of the leadoff spot, Hayden Magliano and Dylan Rhein tied for the team lead in RBIs. Daly provides the power in the middle of the order. Eric Schulteisz started all 19 games and played a solid centerfield and his bat got stronger as the season went and looks to take another step forward. Rosenberg, late in the season and in his first varsity start, tossed a complete game – 4-hit shutout.”
Of the players mentioned, there are two college commitments: Devonte Bailey is committed to Alabama State University, while Liam Daly is committed to SUNY Purchase.
Corrado is not anticipating any particular games this season, stating that he likes to view whomever the next opponent is as their toughest. Under this philosophy, his team will always be making improvements and won’t get comfortable after a win or discouraged after a loss.
Coach Corrado himself brings a plethora of experience in baseball; he played in both high school and college, has been coaching baseball since 1999 and has been North Babylon’s varsity coach since 2012.
Corrado is very appreciative of the time he gets to spend with both his fellow coaches and players.
