Bryan Mccleary go-ahead hit in the top of the ninth to give Wheatley the 4-3 win over Cold Spring Harbor pic.twitter.com/hhAk43kCjE
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 10, 2021
Wheatley is coming off another championship season. They defeated Cold Spring Harbor to capture the League VI Nassau County Championship. They followed that up with a victory over Pierson in the Long Island Championship.
Head Coach Paul Paino is no stranger to winning. He has led Wheatley to eight County Championships – including six in the past decade. He won his 400th career game last season and is back for 2022. His first season as head coach was 1983 and has been at the helm every year since.
The format in 2021 was much different than previous years. They began the season in League 5 which consisted of a mix of Class A and Class B teams. Against their typical Class B competition, they were 9-1, and they went 0-6 against the Class A teams. Prior to the playoffs, a League 6 was formed featuring the Class B teams, which resulted in Wheatley capturing the title.
This year will feature a return to the pre-covid format – meaning they will face Locust Valley, Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay, East Rockaway, Carle Place and Friends Academy.
Frankie Asaro (Wheatley 2021) pic.twitter.com/gdI0lFQ0rV
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 19, 2020
If they are to repeat as champions, they will have to do so without three major impact players from this past season – Frankie Asaro, Jason Tagios and Jordan Meirowitz. Frankie was the captain, their starting shortstop and relief pitcher. He batted over .400 and was a force all season. Tagios was an effective starting pitcher, he hit some important home runs and is now playing soccer in college. Meirowitz, a freshman, was called up towards the end of the season and was named MVP of the playoffs. Paino spoke glowingly of the impact he had during the playoffs. He transferred to Portledge HS after the school year.
On the flip side, they return just about everyone else – including the rest of their starting pitching.
Will Karikas is a three-year varsity player that will be in the rotation. He is one of the team captains along with Jacob Meirowitz. He also batted .350 “with some power”, according to Paino. When he’s not pitching, he can play any position.
Senior Kyle Rosenberg put up the best numbers of any of their pitchers last season. He went 6-1 with a 1.80 ERA and Paino stated that he recorded between 8 and 10 strikeouts each outing. He also was the winning pitcher in the Long Island Championship against Pierson.
“He is one of those crafty lefties, he does it with a lot of offspeed pitches,” said Paino. When he’s not pitching, he will play outfield.
Rounding out the rotation is 6’4 RHP Kevin Barrett. Coach Paino said that he is the power pitcher of the staff. He noted that his win-loss record is misleading because he started most of his games against the Class A schools.
In charge of handling the staff is three-year varsity player Bryan McCleary. Paino called him a “.350 hitter with power and probably the best catcher in our league.” He spoke of the important he had last year in the playoffs.
“He blocks the ball and throws guys out. He threw guys out early in the game which was huge because they stopped trying after that. He basically shut down the running game.”
Their biggest impact bat is 4-year starter and captain Jacob Meirowitz. Paino stated that he is a center fielder, and a “.400 hitter with power.” While it’s great to have him back, Paino noted it “would’ve been nice to have both brothers this year.” They were called the “bash brothers” last season. He is committed to Muhlenberg College.
Their catalyst is second baseman Angelo Marchione. Paino stated he is your prototypical leadoff hitter in that he “rarely strikes out, he puts the bat on the ball and he’s a .350 hitter with speed.” Replacing Asaro will be the younger brother of Kyle Rosenberg and that’s Dylan. He was the leading hitter on the JV team last season, so they will be hoping that translates to the varsity club.
“Third baseman Costa Koutsoftas adds solid infield defense and power to our lineup. Gabe Fallarino brings exceptional speed to the outfield and the basepaths,” according to Paino.
They will open up their season on March 28 against Friends Academy and they are hoping to play one of their games at Ducks Stadium, Paino stated.
With Paino at the helm, they will always be in the mix for a County Championship – but with their group of pitchers and returning players, they might just be able to pull off a repeat.
