by Nick Cipolla
🚨 Sophomore Jordan Welch hits an opposite field walk-off HR to complete the comeback win for Farmingdale and deliver Massapequa their first loss of the season 🚨 pic.twitter.com/FK8STX7jor
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 2, 2022
In the 2022 season, Farmingdale was one of Nassau County’s best teams. They finished the regular season with an 11-4 league record while having a plethora of studs on the roster. Unfortunately, their run ended in the Nassau AA Final against rival and perennial powerhouse Massepequa, who won their 5th straight county title.
Farmingdale Head coach Frank Tassielli felt that he had a championship level roster in 2022. “We felt pretty good against whomever our opponents would be”, said Tassielli, “We had a great mix of players from all grade levels and these guys were a tight group. We had great leadership from our captains but also had a very solid group of underclassmen who had a high baseball IQ. They were serious on a daily basis and got to work regularly, but what made them special was that they knew how to have fun together but more than that, they all knew their role on the team and that is what got us there. On top of that, we had a wealth of talent and someone different every game was the star”.
Farmingdale will have to replace two everyday players as they graduated their starting right fielder and catcher. “Defensively it will be tough to replace two seniors”, said Tassielli,“but we did have underclassmen who received plenty of playing time in those spots”. The biggest loss they will deal with however was their number 1 starter Zach Zarrilli (Cortland) who was named All-County during the 2022 season.
The Dalers will be returning 6 of their starters and will be filling the holes in right field and catcher with guys who have plenty of experience at the varsity level. The big strength of this team is going to be the bats. This group will be led by their centerfielder, a unanimous All-County selection and league MVP, Jojo Burriesci (‘23) who hit .533 and stole 31 bags in 2022. “(Burriesci) will be in the leadoff spot this year and will certainly be our catalyst”, said coach Tassielli
Joining Burriesci in the lineup will be third baseman Jordan Welch (‘24) and second baseman Joe Taglivia (‘24). Both guys hit over .300 last year and have the ability to drive runners in.
Trailing 5-3 entering the bottom of the 7th, Farmingdale comes storming back to win on a walk-off 2-R single by sophomore Jordan Welch to remain undefeated at 8-0! pic.twitter.com/saG202VjJ3
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 21, 2022
This group also boasts some really nice breakout candidates. Holy Cross high school transfer Justin Acevedo (‘23) will be a big time add for the Dalers as the St. John’s commit will man the shortstop and add some star power to the already loaded lineup. All-County Quarterback Anthony Licci (‘23) is going to be playing a bigger role than in previous years on the infield. “We know he doesn’t shy away from the bright lights”, said Coach Tassielli. Senior Josh Behar (‘23) was a postseason hero in the 2022 county semi’s and he is a big time breakout candidate who is also a steady two way player. Another postseason hero, Pitcher/First Baseman Michael Craig (‘25), has a chance to build off a .364 batting average in postseason play and make a name for himself.
The Dalers open the 2023 season up with a non-league contest at Carle Place on April 1st followed by a league game April 3rd at East Meadow. “Competing for the division title and ultimately the county finals will come down to how our pitchers manage themselves on the mound”. Said coach Tassielli, “That is always the key for success”.
