By Thomas Cregan
Jacob Lee hits an RBI single to center and Syosset cuts the lead to 4-3 in the sixth pic.twitter.com/LCDOtwyofg
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 13, 2021
Syosset coach Tom Morritt is looking for another successful year out of his group of talented and experienced players in 2022.
Syosset came out hot in the 2021 season with a 10-0 start while competing in one of the toughest conferences on Long Island. The group was able to rally back together after a covid cancelled season in 2020 and post a 13-7 record making the playoffs. Coach Moritt said that after their hot start they struggled towards the end of the season and took some losses heading into the playoffs, however, this did not derail the team’s morale heading into the postseason. They defeated Hicksville in the first round and were defeated in the next round by Plainview in game 3 of a thrilling series.
Morritt is looking to build off the experience his guys gained last year and for the seniors to provide leadership to make another playoff run in 2022.
The 2021 roster saw one major departure in graduate Matt Mancuso. He was All-Conference last season, spent time throughout his three years in the Syosset program as an outfielder, first baseman, and a pitcher both in relief and starting. Coach Morritt said “Matt was always a huge contributor for us and his ability to pitch and play the field while also remaining highly competitive at the plate, he was always a hard out and overall was extremely valuable for us. He was highly versatile, and he stepped up big for us when we really needed him.” Coach Moritt gave him the start in what would eventually prove to be their final game of the 2021 season in their game 3 loss to Plainview. “He’s going to be hard to replace, but we will be leaning on our senior leadership and our group of college commits to take us to the next step this year.”
Syosset RHP Alex Larson fires a 14-K no-hitter with just one walk allowed in. 3-0 victory against Hicksville ! pic.twitter.com/RfDHGOkn0o
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 10, 2021
Syosset features a group of 8 college commits this year and a plethora of players that coach Morritt is looking to see make an impact this year. Starting off with All-Conference senior pitcher/OF Alex Larson (Johns Hopkins). Larson possesses an exceptional arm on the mound and threw a no-hitter against Hicksville in 2021 and was also a part of a combined no-hitter as well. Another pitcher Morritt is confident in returning this year is All-County senior 3B/RHP Jacob Lee (Adelphi). Morritt praised Lee highly saying, “he’s been a with us since he was a freshman and he’s always had the build of a great baseball player.” Also, a valuable contributor with his bat as Morritt says he frequently has hit in the middle of their lineup. Along with senior SS Randy Ventura (SUNY Maritime). Morritt said “he has an elite arm at the shortstop position with a fantastic glove, surprising power, and good speed. He also posted a .357 batting average in the previous season. Continuing with senior LHP Mike Camardi (Farmingdale). An excellent reliever for the team who surrendered 0 runs during the regular season. The group of senior college commits in Syosset is rounded out by 3B/1B/P Marco Clara (Manhattanville), outfielder Colin Favata (Dean College), infielder/pitcher Jackson Bullaro (Scranton), and first baseman Matt Tsolis (Medaille College).
Along with the group of college commits other returning players like junior second baseman Alex Rubin, sophomore center fielder Max Kessler, and senior OF/C Robert Trapeo are all players that Coach Morritt is looking to see make a major impact in 2022. Also, welcoming newcomers junior OF Kevin Hargrave, junior outfielder Nick Padula, and junior first baseman Melvin Perez.
When discussing his teams’ biggest strengths coming into this year coach Morritt mentioned both senior leadership and their pitching staff.
“We have a lot of seniors who plan on moving on to play college ball and they are all in on taking this program to the next step in the playoffs this year. The feelings of last year’s loss have not left them, and we are definitely going to be motivated to go out and compete again and look to succeed.” On their pitching he said, “With our staff being anchored by guys like Jacob and Alex, pitching is definitely one of our strengths and we have built a well-rounded group to go along with them, everyone is going to use last year as a driving force to have success this year in 2022.”
As previously mentioned, Syosset competes in one of the toughest conferences on Long Island and when asked about their big competition Coach Morritt was quick to respond with Massapequa. He said, “Everyone knows who they are and what they are all about, Coach Sheedy has done a great job with their program, and they will always be a threat.” He also mentioned Oceanside, Farmingdale, and Port Washington. Morritt further stated “I have been coaching with this program in Syosset for 13 years with four years now as a head coach and this conference has always been highly competitive with teams like Massapequa and Farmingdale.” He will be looking to the leadership group and their pitching staff to make another playoff run this year in 2022.
Syosset will open their season in 2022 against Freeport.
