by Andy Smith
Oyster Bay trailed 7-3 in the fifth before scoring 17 unanswered runs for the 20-7 win and series sweep over Carle Place pic.twitter.com/OTJ5idJlBq
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 1, 2022
Jeff Schiereck has been associated with Oyster Bay baseball for over a decade. First as an assistant coach under Jay Davis, Schiereck became the head coach after Davis’ retirement. Schiereck has been the skipper for the past five seasons.
Oyster Bay had a very successful 2022 season. The Baymen finished with a 15-5-1 and qualified for the playoffs. However, their season ended in the County Semifinals against Locust Valley. This was a hard fought three-game series, but it ended with the Baymen falling short in the rubber match.
The Baymen will be without a very talented pitcher, Michael Gatti. Currently playing at New Haven, Gatti was a finalist for the Diamond Award in Nassau County in 2022. The two-time All-County pitcher and 2022 League MVP holds the school record for most strikeouts in a single game (18).
Michael Gatti ends the first on a strikeout pic.twitter.com/BZaSAO9mJ1
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 11, 2022
Despite the loss of Gatti, six out of the eight every day position starters are returning for the Baymen. Senior Jonathan Goldschmitt was a two-way star last season. The All-County corner infielder batted .382 and brought in 22 runs. On the bump, Goldschmitt was 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA in 23.2 innings of relief.
Two All-Conference juniors, Tommy and Gianni Rizzuto will be integral parts of the lineup. The twins both hit above .300 with a strong OBP. Tommy will make appearances in the outfield and on the bump. Gianni will be playing shortstop.
Senior backstop Colin Rainey is “one of the best defensive catchers around.” In addition, All-League junior Brendan O’Brien will be playing outfield, first base and will also be on the mound.
The starting rotation is headlined by junior Dominic Carleo. Carleo, who qualified for All-County last season, finished with a 5-1 record. In addition, Carleo struck out 64 batters and pitched to the tune of a 2.00 ERA in 35 innings.
Dominic Carleo (Oyster Bay ‘24) gets the batter to strikeout on a knee-buckling curveball. pic.twitter.com/KqD8SGh1yL
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 23, 2021
Being the only starting pitcher returning from last season, it is anticipated that, “He will step up to be the ace” according to Schiereck. Tommy Rizzuto, Brendan O’Brien, and Jonathan Goldschmitt will all be competing for time on the mound. In addition, freshman Freddie VonBargen is a name to keep an eye on in the competition. The pipeline also includes 8th grader Chase Lordi, who could be potentially competing for a spot in the lineup in the middle infield.
Schiereck emphasized that the goal does not change. “We will be, hopefully, fighting for a county title.”
Oyster Bay’s league is split up into two divisions this season due to differences in school populations. Division B1 will feature Locust Valley, Seaford, Cold Spring Harbor, and Wheatly. B2 will feature Oyster Bay, East Rockaway, Friends, and Carle Place.
The Baymen will take the diamond on April 3rd against the Falcons of Locust Valley.
