by Nick Cipolla
Half Hollow Hills East had a .500 season overall in 2022 going 10-10 overall. However, it wasn’t enough to make the playoffs as their 8-10 league record proved to be costly as they missed out on playoff baseball by a single game.
Despite the unfortunate ending to the year in 2022, the Thunderbirds had some positives to take away from this season. Coach Tim Belz was pretty open about his team’s performance in 2022. “We finished 8-10 last season and we’re only 1 game away from qualifying for the playoffs”, Belz said, “there were numerous opportunities for us to make it to the playoffs but the ball just didn’t bounce our way when we needed it to. The two non league wins were against playoff teams but a couple of tough losses is what kept us out”.
The Thunderbirds graduated three key pieces to the core in 2022. Their two All-League selections, shortstop Nick Farnacci (UMass Boston) and 3 hitter and right fielder Justin Kay both leave behind big shoes that need to be filled by the current core. They also lose catcher Ryan Plocker (Framingham State) who was crucial in handling a younger pitching staff in 2022. Coach Belz said the 2022 team had “Not a big senior class last year but they were key contributors to last year’s team”.
Hills East 2, Lindenhurst 0
WP: Ari Gluck (CG shutout)Nick Farnacci (video) and Kyle Cavataio homered pic.twitter.com/vWPcKJQxHF
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 3, 2021
Hills East will have an experienced group of 9 seniors this spring, including some 3rd year varsity players. Some of these seniors that will headline the 2023 Thunderbirds are outfielder and Hartford-commit Jackson Pam (‘23) and three-year starting first baseman Jake Strow (‘23). The senior class also includes number 3 starting pitcher and DH Mason Kappel (‘23). Kappel will round out the rotation after coming back last year from an injury and getting 2 league wins. Rounding out the senior contributors is outfielder Aubrey Jean Louis (‘23).
The junior class also has some three-year players. The lone All-County selection for the Thunderbirds was pitcher Ari Gluck (‘24). His 2022 was one they would love to see again in 2023, he had 4 league wins with an ERA under 1.90 and 60 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched.
Sophomore RHP Ari Gluck gets the start for Hills East (5-4) against Smithtown East (6-0).
He is 2-0, 19.2 IP, 1 ER, 30 Ks, 1 save pic.twitter.com/JjY3LgMpY2
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 18, 2022
All-League SS junior Connor Bunce (‘24) and catcher Luke Villa (‘24) played significant time last year as 10th graders, they will most likely be the favorites to replace the now graduated Farnacci and Plocker in the lineup in 2023.
Sophomore three-year starting centerfielder Joey Castro (‘25) CF returns after two seasons batting over .300 and Sophomore Matt LeRose (‘25) will be the number 2 pitcher once again in a strong rotation behind Gluck. He had a very good freshman year on varsity according to his coach, he had an ERA under 3 as a freshman with 28 strikeouts in 23 innings in 2022.
According to coach Belz, “Pitching is our strength on the field as Ari Gluck, Matt LeRose, and Mason Kappel will be essential to this team”. Said Belz, “At the top of the lineup, Joey Castro, Jake Strow and Connor Bunce who all have 2 years of varsity experience as starters will set the table for us. All of those hitters have great opportunities to lead us”.
The Half Hollow Hills East Thunderbirds will open the 2023 season on March 28th against North Babylon. “Our league is very competitive as I believe 5 of the teams can all compete for the league title”. Belz said, “I think whoever gets hot in the league will be able to stand out. Our goal is to be one of those teams who can compete for the league championship”.
