by Andy Smith
Syosset entered 2022 with high expectations. The Braves qualified for the playoffs and finished with the season with an 8-7 league record. After losing in the quarterfinals to Farmingdale, fifth year head coach Tom Morritt learned some valuable lessons.
“We learned that it’s so important to be playing your best when your best is needed. We encountered a recent league opponent in the quarter finals (Farmingdale) and lost in the best of 3 games after winning game 1.”
Morritt continued, “We had just played our regular season finale with the ‘Dalers the week before and ran into them in the first round of playoffs. Ultra competitive 2 weeks of high school baseball. A great experience, hard fought but ultimately fell short of the team and program goal.”
The Braves are entering 2023 without their very talented group of graduates, seven of whom are now playing college baseball. A major hole that Syosset will need to fill is the loss of talented pitchers who ate up a large amount of innings last season. Coach Morritt explained, “We have a few arms with experience, and a bunch of new arms and we will lean on all of them to fill the shoes of those who graduated last year.”
Syosset RHP Alex Larson fires a 14-K no-hitter with just one walk allowed in. 3-0 victory against Hicksville ! pic.twitter.com/RfDHGOkn0o
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 10, 2021
Starting pitchers Alex Larson and Jackson Bullaro are now pitching for Johns Hopkins and Scranton University, respectively. Larson was named All-County last season. Jacob Lee, who made appearances on the mound and at the hot corner is now an Adelphi Panther. Out of the bullpen, Michael Camardi is now at SUNY Farmingdale.
In addition to the arms, Syosset will also be without key bats. Shortstop Randy Ventura is now at SUNY Maritime, outfielder Colin Favata is now a SUNY Farmingdale Ram and third base and designated hitter Marco Clara has taken his talents to Manahatanville.
A king-sized inning-ending double play started by Marco Clara and a great scoop by Jacob Lee at first
Mid 6: Plainview JFK 4, Syosset 2 pic.twitter.com/8MdReAcqjR
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 13, 2021
Syosset has four key pieces that will be a major part of their success in 2023. Second baseman Alex Rubin has been “battle tested since his sophomore year.” The senior, who is a three year varsity athlete, is a “tremendous athlete with great range defensively and good power at the plate.”
Senior Kevin Hargrave will be an integral part of the rotation. Hargrave saw a lot of innings last season and is the Braves most experienced returning pitcher. “He has owned our motto ‘Do The Work’ from day 1 of his freshman year, and it has allowed him to maximize his abilities. He has not missed a weight room session in 4 years.”
In addition to Rubin and Hargrave, juniors Steven Klein and Max Kessler will also be counted on to produce in 2023. Klein, the backstop, is “obsessed with baseball.” Klein has been “breaking records in the weightroom and with a very good arm, he caught people off guard last year, and will keep runners honest this year.”
Kessler has “a very high baseball IQ, loves to compete,” In addition, the outfielder has “a great defensive skill set.”
Morritt commented on the current roster and where he feels the Braves have depth and flexibility. “We feel like we have a good, hard working group of returning players who are capable of playing multiple positions. I think we have flexibility with defensive spots, especially early in the season as we will work to dial in our best lineups for each game.”
Thanks to a strong JV program, Morritt explained how there is always a possibility an underclassmen receives the call to varsity. “We are always looking at the underclassmen to see if there is anyone who will help us compete for a championship. There are a bunch of young guys who have worked hard all off season and will get a look as we roll into the start of season.”
Syosset will be in a league with Freeport, Massapequa, Hicksville and, of course, Farmingdale. Syosset will also play crossover league games against Oceanside, Plainview, and Baldwin.
Morritt reflected, “We believe we play in an exceptionally competitive league. This year is no different than any other year. Great programs that have battled every year and we plan to show up everyday ready to work, because that’s what it will take to compete in this league.”
Syosset opens their season on March 25th against St. Dominic’s, and play their first league crossover game on April 3rd against the Bruins of Baldwin.
