By Michael Malaszczyk
Smithtown West RHP Tyler Lawrence struck out three in a complete game win over West Babylon. He also went 3-for-4 with four RBI pic.twitter.com/MK68Nbp12R
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 6, 2021
The 2022 varsity baseball season is almost here, and Coach Al Nucci is starting the season confident that his team learned the right lessons in 2021.
Smithtown West had a good season in 2021; they finished with an 11-8 overall record and made it into the playoffs before losing to Eastport-South Manor. According to Coach Nucci in an interview with Axcess Baseball, it was a remarkable comeback season.
“We had a difficult start to the season, losing six of our first nine games and digging ourselves into a pretty big hole,” said Nucci. “Our offense was struggling, our defense had trouble getting the 3rd out of one inning per game, our baserunning was suspect, but we were getting great pitching, which was a plus. As the second half of the season started, to the credit of our guys, we started to get the ball rolling in the right direction.”
The difficult start for Smithtown West can be blamed on the coronavirus pandemic; according to Nucci, the team didn’t meet until a week before opening day due to COVID.
Considering Smithtown West’s team was mostly young, they will have hopefully gained the experience from the second half of 2021 to have a strong season in 2022.
“I was proud of our young team and how they responded to the adversity of our poor start,” Nucci added.
Nevertheless, Smithtown West did see a few seniors graduate last year. Logan Hutter graduated and is now playing for SUNY Cobleskill; he was an All-County player. Coach Nucci said Hutter was “a game-changing catcher and the number three hitter in our lineup.” Smithtown West also graduated pitchers Tyler Lawrence and Nick Burney, whom Nucci said “will be sorely missed.”
Despite the loss of these star players, Coach Nucci is confident that his 2022 lineup will come back experienced from their 2021 comeback. He named the following players as assets to his team: Ryan Setter (‘22), Adam Ginsberg (‘23), Jack Flood (‘22), Josh DiBlanda (‘22), Sean Jost (‘22), Dom Crema (‘22), Ryan Conk (‘23), and Jack LaPrarie (‘23).
Solid round of infield from Ryan Setter (Smithtown West 2022) pic.twitter.com/wQ1oY7QOvW
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 29, 2021
Some of the team’s players are committed to colleges: Dom Crema is committed to St. Thomas Aquinas, Adam Ginsberg is committed to Marywood University, Sean Jost is committed to John Jay College, and Ryan Setter is committed to Mount Saint Vincent.
“I believe the turnaround in our season’s second half last year and having guys that have been through the rigors of a varsity season will be very beneficial to our team this year,” said Nucci. “The fact that we have a lot of seniors will also benefit both our team and some of the younger players that will be up on our varsity roster this year. I think we should hit consistently this year. Our pitchers (Jost, Flood, Conk, Crema, Setter) will throw strikes and keep us always in games. Defense up the middle should be as good as there is on Long Island.”
When it comes to teams his team is up against, Coach Nucci feels his work is cut out for him in 2022.
“I believe our league is strong and the competition will be there in every series,” said Nucci. “So much can happen during a game and a series that can change its outcome. We look at the schedule and whether it is West Islip, Deer Park, Hauppauge, Bellport. North Babylon, or West Babylon, we prepare the same way and take every opponent seriously. Nobody in our league is going to lay down and be an easy win; each game and series will be a test.”
In addition to an experienced team, Smithtown West is led by an experienced coach; Al Nucci has been head coach at Smithtown West since 2006.
“I have had the privilege to not only have success as far as wins and losses, but have had the opportunity to create and maintain relationships with so many outstanding young men over the years,” Nucci said. “Baseball, to me, is the most challenging and rewarding game to play. It teaches so many important life lessons to those that play it.”
Considering much of Smithtown West’s team is made up of players who have already led the team to a stunning comeback in 2021, Smithtown West looks to have a very strong season in 2022. This time, they won’t be stifled by COVID.
Smithtown West’s opening day is set for March 29th. They will be playing against Deer Park.
