by Nick Cipolla
North Babylon was one of the biggest surprises in Section XI in 2022. The Bulldogs had a team with only 25 innings of combined varsity experience from their pitching staff before the season began, but that didn’t stop them from going 11-7 and making the playoffs. They even flirted with the league title, something that many felt was impossible for the Bulldogs in 2022.
North Babylon’s head coach Steve Corrado is very happy with the growth of his team over the last two seasons. “In 2021 we graduated most of our pitching and infield”, said coach Corrado, “We went into last year with only 25 innings pitched of experience. In contrast we have 97 innings of pitching experience coming back for 2023. We never felt out of a game last year and the team showed great resilience from the first game of the season when the team rallied from three runs down with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game and eventually win in extra innings. In our six series we won five of them, but three times we had a two game lead and were unable to sweep the series. That cost us a chance at a league title and a better seed for the playoffs. Our defense was significantly better than in 2021 and we expect it to continue to improve as we had three sophomores starting on the infield last season”.
Part of the Bulldogs success was due to seniors Liam Daly (SUNY Purchase), Devonte Bailey (Alabama State), and Dylan Rhein so they will have to find a way to replace each of these guys on the field. Daly was the leader offensively for the Bulldogs in 2022 and unfortunately tore his hamstring and was unavailable at the end of the regular season (was 2-3 in the final playoff game). Daly batted .424 with 3 HRs and 18 RBIs with 19 runs scored to lead the team. “He was the team’s emotional leader”, said coach Corrado about Daly. Bailey provided a presence at the top of the order with a .397 batting average and a .494 on base percentage with 19 runs scored and 8 stolen bases for the Bulldogs. Rhein provided much needed leadership behind the plate with a young and inexperienced pitching staff. He chipped in at the plate with a .400 on base percentage and also excelled behind the plate in 2022, throwing out 10 runners on the bases and keeping the ball in front of him.
The biggest strength for North Babylon is going to be their pitching staff which will be headined by College of Staten Island commit Dennis Kelly (‘23). Kelly was an All-League selection in 2022, posting a 6-1 record with 53 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings pitched with a 1.86 ERA. According to Corrado, his only loss came in relief on short rest.
AIC-commit Hayden Magliano (‘23) was an All-League selection in 2021 and 2022. Magliano was 3-3 with a save. Magliano also adds versatility to this lineup. “By being able to play anywhere on the field when he is not pitching. Magliano has some big hits down the stretch including a three run double in extra innings against West Babylon to win a game late in the season”. Said coach Corrado, “Magliano was inserted as a starter in the third series and improved with each start, striking out 32 in 28 2/3 innings”.
Chris Stumpf (2024) will compete for the third starter position. Stumpf had a win and two saves in 2022 primarily pitching in relief. He started the final regular season game and finished 13 2/3 innings pitched with 20 strikeouts and a 1.53 ERA. Stumpf also adds a lot at the plate for the Bulldogs as he finished the season with a .354 batting average and 14 runs scored all the while playing a solid defensive shortstop.
Coach Corrado also will look towards Ben Rosenberg (‘23), Ariel Nunez (‘24), Jake Miele (‘24), Tyler Anderson (‘24), Tristan Garcia (‘26) and Tom Morton (‘26) to contribute on the mound in 2023.
Uncommitted RHP Ariel Nunez (North Babylon 2024) pic.twitter.com/QK1N4cIm5X
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 29, 2023
The defense also looks to improve in 2023 after committing just over an error per game in 2022. The defense is highlighted by strength up the middle as Chris Stumpf will also see plenty of time at shortstop. The Bulldogs will be pairing him with Isaiah Gutierrez (‘24) at second base who has high praise about the juniors defense, “he made some highlight reel worthy defensive plays at second base in 2022” said coach Corrado. The duo of Stumpf and Gutierrez should create a nice double play duo up the middle. Gutierrez also finished the season with a .333 batting average in 2022.
Isaiah Gutierrez (North Babylon 2024) showing his smooth actions pic.twitter.com/JaNgMfjy9A
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 20, 2022
In the outfield, Utica-commit Eric Schulteisz (‘23) also adds to the defensive strength as was a gold glove nominee in center field last year. Schulteiz also adds some pop to the order as he moved to the top of the order last season and he was selected All-League last year. “Eric is going to be a three year starter for us”, said coach Corrado.
B5: Eric Schulteisz smacks a 2-R triple to dead center to tie the game pic.twitter.com/CEmFqDhN6d
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 14, 2022
For the vacant spot behind the plate, promising underclassmen Tyler Anderson (‘24) and Jordan Konig (‘25) will be the potential battery that will have the tall task of replacing Dylan Rhein’s leadership behind the plate. “Konig is a three sport athlete who can make a big impact for the Bulldogs this season and beyond” said Coach Corrado. Two thirds of the outfield graduated in 2022, several players competing for time out there for the bulldogs, the most notable players competing for time out there will be Matt Mieszerski (‘23) who lost last season to an injury and Tristan Garcia (‘26) who is also a three sport athlete who appeared in three games in 2022 as an 8th grader.
The North Babylon Bulldogs open up the 2023 season on March 28th where they travel to play Half Hollow Hills East. “The goal is always to try to win each series and make the playoffs”, said Coach Corrado, “the program has qualified for the playoffs in the previous 4 seasons. The team has six starters returning and is used to playing in tight games, last year 13 games were decided by three runs or less including seven by one run”.
