by Andy Smith
East Meadow is entering 2023 following a very strong 2022. The Jets finished in second place in the AA2 with a league record of 13-4. They went on to defeat Baldwin in the quarterfinals, but fell to the eventual LI Champion Massapequa in the semifinals. Now entering his second season as the head coach, Vinny Mascia reflected on his debut season. “I felt we had a good season last year. Any time you get to the Final Four is a positive season.”
Mascia continued, “ Even though it was my first year as Head Coach it was not a new experience as I have been the Head Coach at EM Football for 20 years as well, so I had some experience in that area. I also was prepared for the job as I worked under two great Head Coaches in the legendary Ken Sicoli (501 Wins) and John Marciante. Both of these men were outstanding coaches and role models, and I was extremely fortunate to learn from them over a 30 year period.”
Mascia is entering his 41st season coaching high school baseball (37 years at East Meadow.) Over the past four decades, Mascia has coached the freshman team, JV team, and was also the varsity assistant coach.
East Meadow enters 2023 without some integral pieces from last year’s roster. The Jets will be without their entire starting rotation and three bats that hit in the top half of the lineup.
Two All-County players, Danny Jasmin and James Reilly are now playing college baseball at Bridgewater State and NCC, respectively. Jasmin and Reilly batted in the 2 and 3 spots, and were both starting pitchers. In addition, the two graduates also made starts in the outfield. All-Conference Designated hitter Steven Edwards also graduated. The cleanup hitter led the team in RBI with 19 and came up in many big moments for the Jets in 2022.
Despite the losses, Mascia commented, “I believe we have some strong players returning that will assume the leadership roles on the team.”
Leading the returning group is All-Conference first baseman Domenic Steinmark. The current senior batted .389, and registered an OPS of 1.021. Mascia added, “We will be counting on Domenic to hit for power, drive in runs for us and lead the offense.”
Joining Steinmark is All-League qualifier, Brandon Tauber. The outfielder finished 2022 with a stat line of .333 AVG, .439 OBP and swiped six bags.
Senior shortstop Alex Rodriguez will also be a key contributor especially on the basepaths. Rodriguez stole nine bases last season, and will look to add to that total.
Another returning senior, Devin Lake will be a strong option out of the bullpen and will serve as the primary closer. Lake registered two saves last season, and pitched to the tune of a 2.47 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
In addition, sophomore backstop Joe Lanza will have an important role on this team. The young catcher threw out six runners in 2022. “Joe did a fantastic job behind the plate for us as a freshman and I am looking for big things out of him behind the plate and up at bat.”
In relation to the starting rotation and most of the bullpen, Mascia noted, “I told the boys the other day that it is a great year to be a pitcher in our program because the opportunity to play is wide open. We have no returning starters so we will have a brand new rotation this season. The good thing is that we have more arms than we ever had competing for the spots.”
Currently, East Meadow has 17 pitchers training during off season workouts.
“Competing for the starting roles are seniors Dan Ratkewitch, Mike Feldman and Abel Dominguez, and sophomores Alec Coelho and Spencer Kemler.”
Mascia highlighted the two sophomores among his list of potential arms that will join the club this season. “Lake will be the closer, but there are many options competing for potential significant roles. Competing for relief roles and possible starting roles are seniors Domenic Steinmark, Devin McQuillan, Jordan Goldstein and Brian Terino, juniors Christian Brennan, David Dachille, Mason Martinez, Josh Munoz and Tom Wallace and sophomores Joe Steinmark and Owen Smith.”
Steinmark, in addition, will be competing for time in the middle infield. Smith will also be competing for a spot at the hot corner.
Mascia noted, “There are only 20 innings returning from last year so it will be an inexperienced group, but I am very excited about the competition and number of arms.”
Mascia added, “I believe this year’s team will be very competitive. We have some holes to fill but I believe we have the players to fill them. I have tremendous respect for the teams in our conference and hope to be near or at the top when the dust settles.”
The East Meadow league opponents are Plainview, Baldwin, Oceanside, Port Washington, and Herricks.
The Jets begin their 2023 campaign in a league crossover game on April 3rd against Farmingdale.
