by Andy Smith
Mount Sinai began the 2022 season losing their first three games to Sayville. The Mustangs went on to win 16 out of 17 and reached the Suffolk County Finals, but fell to a talented Rocky Point team. However, Head Coach Eric Reichenbach believes his team has the potential to make another run. They won the Long Island Conference V Championship over Island Trees in 2021 led by a young roster that was perhaps one year ahead of schedule. The 2022 roster and this year’s team features many of those players that won it all and know what it takes to get over the top.
Reichenbach has been at the helm of Mount Sinai Baseball for the last 18 years, and has been a member of the staff for 25 years. Reichenbach played college baseball at the University of Tennessee and Saint John’s University. Reichenbach eventually pitched in the New York Mets organization for four seasons.
The Mustangs will be entering 2023 without many key pieces from last year’s run. According to Reichenbach, “Most of the offensive players have graduated and we need to replace our catcher, both corner infield positions, and find all 3 outfielders.”
Some of last year’s standout Mustangs are currently making impacts with their college squad. Matthew Carrera held down the hot corner last season with a .462 AVG and drove in 24 runs. Carrera is now playing for Sacred Heart. Current Adelphi Panther LJ Bohne played in the outfield and scored 24 runs during his final season. Matt Galli was a utility man and also made appearances on the mound last season. Now playing at LIU, Gali hit .377 as a Mustang in 2022. Finally, Franklin Pierce University Raven Kyle Salvati finished his time at Mount Sinai with a strong 5-0 record and a 2.95 ERA.
While the losses leave large holes to fill, the starting rotation will look to make up for it. Reichenbach highlighted his staff, saying that “our pitching staff is solid with some really big arms. Starting pitching is exceptional.”
The pitching rotation currently has three current seniors who are all college commits.
Headlined by two of the best pitchers in the state, they are in great shape. Chris Batuyios, current senior and Saint John’s commit, reaches up to 94 mph with his heater and has three pitches with strong command. This power and finesse is a bad combination for hitters this season. Last season, Batuyios threw to a minuscule 0.86 ERA and punched out 72 batters in 45 innings.
St. John’s commit Chris Batuyios (Mount Sinai 2023) pic.twitter.com/GlxrfolnIb
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 8, 2022
6’4 LHP JT Caruso, committed to the University of Miami, can reach “Up as high as 91 mph from the left side.” The southpaw finished with a 4-1 record and 33 K’s in 22 innings pitched. Caruso will also see time in center field. He certainly can handle the bat, but he really has turned heads with his abilities on the mound and is a pro prospect. JT has been on the radar for years – in fact you can read our first feature story on him by clicking here.
6’4 Miami-commit JT Caruso (Mount Sinai 2023) getting a bullpen in with Neal Heaton. Caruso will be tough to hit this season pic.twitter.com/QobPDYwd1D
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 7, 2023
Max Reichenbach missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. The Mercy commit hurled a fantastic 6-0 record as a sophomore, and cannot wait to return to the bump for his final season. Beyond those three, they have some other arms that are capable of being impact players.
Mercy commit and Mount Sinai Senior Max Reichenbach pic.twitter.com/g8tsA4xNxK
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 6, 2023
According to Coach Reichenbach, “Everything else except for SS (Benny Franquiz) and CF (JT Caruso) is wide open.”
Because of these gaps in the lineup, there may be several underclassmen seeing ample playing time. “We might have sophomores and freshmen at multiple positions in the field.”
Looking at the league opponents (Sayville, Bayport, Shoreham-Wading River, Miller Place, and Hampton Bays), Reichenbach stated, “As long as our pitchers stay healthy, we have a shot to win. I’m sure our younger positional talent will keep progressing as the year goes on, but it’s going to be our arms that carry the load for Sinai this year.”
Mount Sinai takes the diamond on March 27th against Rocky Point.
