by Andy Smith
Center Moriches captures the Class B Championship with a 2-1 win over Mattituck
Riley Morris, Jack Rupe, Leyton Pulsipher combined on a no-hitter pic.twitter.com/1BXTbcLGfa
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 24, 2022
Head Coach Paul Gibson described last season as “the most rewarding one in my baseball career.” Center Moriches entered 2022 as a very young program. “We had some instances where our defense failed us early on, and we also didn’t have the quality at bats that we had hoped for. As the season progressed the boys really came together and bought into the system, and started to understand their roles and the ways they can make a positive impact.”
The Red Devils finished with an 11-9 record but went on a playoff run, which resulted with a Long Island Class B Championship over Wheatley. Center Moriches’ season came to an end against a talented Spackenkill squad in the Southeast Regionals.
Gibson reflected, “The takeaways from the season were pretty simple. We have some unfinished business, we have put in the work during the off season, and will continue to do as we get into the regular season.”
Gibson, an alumni of Center Moriches (Class of 2003) and a former collegiate athlete from Quinnipiac University (2003-2007) has been surrounded by baseball his entire life. Gibson has been at CM since 2019, when they captured the second of their historic back to back state championships. Gibson’s father, Paul Gibson, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1978 and went on to play twenty years of professional baseball. Gibson’s brother was also drafted out of Center Moriches in 2006.
Gibson added, “My connection to this program is as deeply rooted as it could possibly be. I have taken on the role as the Moriches Bay Little League Vice President, and also help to coordinate practices and workouts for the local Red Devils travel organization, which provides so much benefit to our high school program. My family are lifelong residents of Center Moriches, and I take great pride in helping continue the great baseball tradition here.”
Matt Salmon (Commack) and Paul Gibson (Center Moriches) capture the Coaches of the Year pic.twitter.com/rrZGWMQCbA
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 14, 2022
The Red Devils enter 2023 without three graduates who had major contributions to the team last year. “Leyton Pulsipher (shortstop/pitcher), Louie Iannacchino (outfielder/pitcher) and Jack Rupe (infielder/pitcher) provided consistent defense in the middle of the field and gave us quality at bats, day in and day out. As far as filling those roles go, it’s next man up”, Gibson said. “As much as it’s tough to lose 3 impact players, I have high expectations for some of our younger guys to come in and produce.”
The Red Devils have a strong cast of returning players from all grade levels. “Due to lower participation numbers in recent years, we have a young but experienced group, many of which started playing at the Varsity level in 8th or 9th grade. We are fortunate to have a group of players that are dedicated to the program and also have goals in terms of moving on to play in college.”
Senior Riley Morris will be the “catalyst” for this team. The Small Schools Playoff MVP and All-League middle infielder and right handed pitcher will be in a leadership role this season. Morris tallied a batting AVG of .378 and scored 23 runs. On the mound, Morris finished with a 6-3 record (two of the losses were 1-0 games), and a 2.68 ERA over 52 innings.
Joey Hiller, a force on the mound, was dominant during the playoff run. The sophomore threw 47 innings with an ERA of 2.20 and had an overall record of 6-1. Hiller has been in the rotation since he was in eighth grade.
Both Morris and Hiller have anchored the rotation for the past few seasons. They both have excellent command and possess great poise on the bump.
Sophomore Brayden Hromada has also been a contributor since eighth grade, primarily as a backstop. Hromada will join the rotation this season and pitch the third game of each week. Hromada was excellent at the plate last year with a .590 OBP and a .360 AVG. Hromada’s fastball has been approaching the mid 80s during the offseason. “Tremendous upside as a player, power left-handed bat, with a big time arm on the mound. I really expect him to break out this season” said Gibson.
Uncommitted Catcher Brayden Hromada (Center Moriches 2025) pic.twitter.com/3oQDBiDV2V
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 11, 2023
Evan Kaloski who recently transferred back from St. John the Baptist, “should immediately add some thump to the lineup. He’s a big strong kid who can really swing the bat. We are really excited to have Evan back with us this year.”
Juniors Andrew Foster and Gavin Derosa, “will be counted on to continue to drive in runs and provide consistency in lineup.”
Luke Rebore-Costanzo started multiple games in the outfield as an eighth grader and is poised to take major steps forward. “I really see him making a big jump this year. He is a super athletic kid, who can really impact the game with his wheels.”
Another name to note is eighth grader JT Bonventre. Bonventre has been very productive during the winter program. “He looks to be the guy that will fill the role in the infield, and will likely spend time at second base, shortstop and third base.”
Gibson emphasized how every position is a battle in the program. “We have a very small roster this year, only 12 or 13 full-time varsity players, but each of them can contribute in different ways. I am an open book with the players, they always know where they stand with me. If you are producing and bringing consistent effort and energy every day, you are gonna play. If any of the three of those areas is struggling, there may be potential roles to change.”
Center Moriches’ league opponents are Mattituck, Babylon and Southampton with mandatory crossovers against Bridgehampton, Greenport, Southold, Pierson, Amityville, and Port Jefferson.
“I think our league is pretty well balanced. Mattituck and Babylon are always strong, I know we are going to compete on a daily basis, we will see what happens from there.”
The Red Devils take the diamond on March 29th against the Kings of Port Jefferson.
