by Andy Smith
Manhasset LHP Theo Zacharia on his CG 11 K performance over Division pic.twitter.com/rMvfIjLWH7
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 20, 2022
Manhasset finished with a 9-14 record last season. The young Indians team is looking to take the next step in their development. First year head coach Anthony Serrapica is prepared for the challenge and is looking forward to putting his stamp and style on the program.
Serrapica has been associated with Manhasset for many years now. Serrapica coached the middle school team while in graduate school. His teaching career moved him around to many different schools, but Serrapica always remained connected to Manhasset in some fashion. When the opportunity came up, Serrapica described it as an “easy transition.”
“I am extremely excited about this program. We are very young. In the upcoming years we can become a top tier county program. We can achieve success, and keep it on a sustainable level,” Serrapica explained about his emotions and outlook when taking the job.
The young team will be without a few key contributors from last season. Now pitching at the University of Pennsylvania, Jake Moss was excellent on the mound last season. In his senior season, Moss held batters to a .185 batting average and pitched to the tune of a 2.86 ERA. At the plate, Moss hit one home run, drove in 18 runs, scored 14 runs and tallied 19 hits. Pitcher Mike Waltos led the Indians in a team high in innings pitched last year. The ace started seven games and finished the season with an ERA of 2.73. They graduated Christian Antonopoulos who is now playing at Salve Regina – he had 10 hits last season for the Indians.
Mike Brunetti, who dealt with a couple injuries last season but was All-County in 2021 is now at IMG.
Manhasset enters 2023 with just two seniors on the roster. Both Chris Infranco and Theo Zacharia will bring experience to the table. Infranco will see time in the infield and will make appearances out of the bullpen. Zacharia will be a feature in the outfield and will make starts on the mound. Zacharia finished second in batting average (.353) and second in on base percentage with .470. Infranco led the Indians in OBP (.500) in 2022.
Junior Trey Zaffiro could be asked to make starts on the mound in addition to his role in the outfield. Zaffiro hit .275 with an .801 OPS. He also threw 18 innings on the bump as a sophomore and will potentially add to that total this season. Luke Girillo threw 7.2 innings last season and will be a feature on bump in 2023. Another junior, Gavin Korfine, will be “mixed in the pitching role this season” according to Serrapica.
RHP Trey Zaffiro (Manhasset 2024). He has been clocked at 89 MPH in the past. Sitting 83-84 MPH today pic.twitter.com/KCc4ogoB0t
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 12, 2023
Serrapica commented about the possibility of underclassmen earning playing time this season. “I can’t say for sure, but there will be plenty of sophomores.”
Manhasset’s league opponents in 2023 are Division, Valley Stream North, Bethpage, Floral Park, Carey, and Hewitt. Looking at his league opponents, Serrapica reflected, “We are right in the mix. On paper, with limited experience and how young we are, we are the underdog. But I don’t feel that way. We are going to be right there.”
Serrapica added about how he admires his young team. “I am shocked to see how coachable everyone is. We have an almost entirely new staff. We only have one returning coach. I’ve worked really hard to get the most qualified staff.”
Manhasset begins their campaign on March 27th at Hewitt.
