West Babylon ties it up 3-3 and they are fired up!! pic.twitter.com/PSQ0Veu61d
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 9, 2021
by Thomas Cregan
West Babylon coach Vic Manzella is looking to his group of returning players to help propel them to the playoffs in 2022.
Last year in the 2021 season, which was coach Manzella’s first year with West Babylon, the team went 7-11 missing the playoffs by two wins. However, this did not discourage coach Manzella as he called it a “transition year” as it was his first year with the team. In his first year he brought up several freshman and sophomore players and hopes the experience they gained will benefit them for this upcoming season in 2022.
West Babylon had two prominent graduates from the 2021 team. Center Fielder Cole Maucere will be their biggest loss as he moves on to play at the University of New Haven. Another prominent graduate was infielder Michael Bloom.
This year West Babylon will have a plethora of returning players that coach Manzella hopes to see make a big impact this year. Starting with sophomore pitcher Jace Alvino who Manzella says will be their number one starting pitcher. Alvino stands at 6’5 and throws in the mid 80’s posting a 2-2 record in 2021 as a freshman. Manzella also will be looking for him to contribute with his bat when he is not pitching as he will also play first base. Junior catcher Ryan Adams is another player who he will be depending on to make a big impact this year. Manzella said of Adams “he has a rifle arm behind the plate, he was all-league last year and will likely be batting cleanup.” He also mentioned junior Dominic Gerbasio who will be number two in their pitching rotation and will also play third base. Sophomore Ricky Fassita who plays in either the middle infield or outfield, pitcher/left fielder Sean McGuire and sophomore middle infielder Brandon Hancock.
Ricky Fasitta (West Babylon 2023) pic.twitter.com/eA5QINJU2r
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 2, 2021
Though West Babylon’s starting roster will mostly be composed of returning players coach Manzella did point out two newcomers with a chance to crack the roster. He stated that there is an open spot in their outfield that could potentially be filled by freshman outfielder Elijah Outlaw. He also mentioned freshman first baseman Anthony Gerbasio as another potential to make their roster this year in 2022.
Coach Manzella stated that his team’s biggest strength coming into this year will be their experience. He said that “last year there were lumps along the way during the season” however, this young group got them seven wins last year and with the experience they have gained he hopes this will help guide them to a playoff spot this year. He further stated “This is a fun group of kids who love to play and put in the hard work needed to do so. These guys play year-round with good programs, so they are all ready to go for this year.”
West Babylon plays in a highly competitive league and Manzella cited Deer Park and Hauppauge as their biggest competition stating, “We need to win those games in order to push for the playoffs.” Along with teams like West Islip and Smithtown West. Though what he is most looking forward to is the rivalry between North and West Babylon. He stated “They’re always big crosstown rivalry games and its interesting because I teach at North Babylon High School, and I can say that the trash talk has already started. I am excited and can’t wait for the start of the season my guys gained valuable experience last year and we are hoping to make a run at the post season this year.”
West Babylon will open their season against Deer Park on April 5th.
