.801.
That’s the winning percentage (474-118) of Clarke HS since Tom Abruscato took over in 1999. They have been the model of consistency in Nassau County and last year was yet another deep playoff run. Including winning the 2019 Nassau County A Championship, they have appeared in the County Finals in each of the past 3 seasons. They were defeated in a best-of-three by Calhoun at Farmingdale State College.
From that team, they graduated three All-County players; Sean Welsh (Molloy), Nick Giardino (Miseridcordia) and catcher Jacob Dandic. That will be difficult to replace. Welsh was the Conference MVP – he batted .489 which included 46 hits. That number is second in program history for a single season. Giardino notched 40 hits – which was fifth all-time. They also graduated 1B Justin Rindner who is now at Farmingdale State College.
Fortunately, the talent pool is never barren at Clarke and they are still well-suited for a playoff run despite the three All-County players departing.
Highlighting the group is third-year starter and junior Nick Berasti. Coach stated that he’s had plenty of schools interested in him and when you watch him play, it’s easy to see why. He was the starting second baseman as a freshman on a powerhouse team in 2021. As a sophomore, he batted .313 with 2 HRs, 19 RBIs. He was also 5-2 on the mound with a 2.82 ERA and record 31 Ks in 37 innings. He was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the Nassau County Finals against Calhoun.
They also return Giancarlo Rengifo. The slick fielding infielder came over from Benjamin Cardozo HS last year and batted .290 with 17 RBIs. Coach stated that he is “really good defensively and has really good speed.” He will play up the middle.
Giancarlo Rengifo gets Clarke on the board first with a 2 out RBI Single to right field pic.twitter.com/GB33yYoYEu
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 1, 2022
Behind the dish they will have JJ Palumbo. He came over from St. John the Baptist during the season in what was surprising even to Coach Abruscato.
“It was like a Major League pickup. I told the guys treat this like the Mets or Yankees kicking someone up. We didn’t throw him in the first game but it was shortly after. The kid can play. He will probably be our catcher.”
Palumbo is a senior that is committed to SUNY Purchase. He batted .333 with 12 RBIs including the game-winning hit in Game 1 of the County Finals.
Postgame interview with JJ Palumbo who went 3-for-4 with the go-ahead 2-R double in the 3-1 victory for Clarke pic.twitter.com/Rn6rnlCJtW
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 29, 2022
Coach also mentioned Zaim Deljanin. He called it “unbelievable” that he was able to provide so much versatility to the team. “He must’ve played seven positions for us. This year he will probably be back in the infield on a full-time basis. He has a shot to be in the rotation as well.”
He batted .326 with 18 RBIs. He is the youngest of three Deljanin’s that all played for Abruscato.
They also return multiple pitchers that Abruscato said will be in the mix to get innings. He named senior George Neofitidis who has been around 85/86 MPH and LHP Matt Cardozo who is a crafty lefty that led the team in saves last season.
Among the outfielders, they return Liam Fonal and Tom Roche who “split time last year in the outfield and each had about 60 at bats. They also have the youngest of the three Cumbo boys. AJ is 10th grader and has outstanding speed that he showcased last season.
Coach said the program is in really good shape at the 9th and 10th grade levels and they have a few players that will get a shot.
They will open up against Lynbrook. Once again they will be in the dangerous Nassau A-4 which coach said is “still a monster – every game is like a playoff game.”
