by Andy Smith
2022 did not go as planned for Valley Stream North. The Spartans had a difficult season, winning only five games in a challenging league and wound up missing the playoffs for only the second time in the past 15 years.
Entering his 13th season as the head coach, Phil Sanfilippo reflected on the challenges that were faced and what lessons were learned. “We had victories over most teams in the league, including league champion South Side. However, most weeks we couldn’t get over the hump for the second win to take the series. We lost a junior starting pitcher for the season prior to league play, and we were young at some key spots, with two sophomores in the starting rotation and two more at SS and 3B. The starting pitching was inconsistent, as was the lineup’s ability to put the baseball in play. Defensively, we improved as the season went along, but the defense wasn’t where it needed to be out of the gate to beat the level of the team we were competing against.”
Leaving the Spartans are two strong graduates who will be missed. All-League Michael Capolino was a starting pitcher and major bat in the lineup who had 2 wins, 4 home runs and 15 RBI at the plate despite missing 3 games. In addition, Eric Castrogiovanni, “a reliable backstop who handled the pitching staff well, also graduated and will be difficult to replace.”
Valley Stream North has a strong core of returning players that will look to make a major impact in 2023. Leading the group is All-Conference pitcher and middle infielder Jimmy Stroehlein. The current junior held opposing batters to a .209 AVG and was described as, “The best sophomore pitcher I’ve had at North and has the finest work ethic of any player I’ve coached. He’s made a noticeable jump in terms of velocity and pitch execution from last year.” Stroehlein threw a complete game victory against Lynbrook and a complete game shutout victory against South Side last season. Strohlein finished the 2022 season with a 1.17 WHIP and 2.31 ERA and will be a headliner in the rotation. “He has major upside on the mound, and at the plate, where he’ll also be a top bat for us.”
Returning junior Anthony Rivera is hoping to make a big jump. The two-way player “Has good stuff on the mound and held his own after being thrust into the starting rotation last year due to injury”, said Sanfilipo. “He’s looked sharp this winter both on the mound and at the plate, where he will be counted on to drive in runs.” Rivera will be the other key piece of the starting rotation with Strohlein.
Nicholas Naumov will be a returning shortstop and will see time on the mound. The junior, “has excellent athleticism for the middle of the diamond and got better each week last year as the season progressed, both defensively and at the plate.”
Seniors Joseph Koches, Gerry Delcarpine, Nicholas Navetta, Thomas Santo, and John Muessig will be counted on for key contributions as well. Sanfilippo noted that Delcarpine will move from the infield to center field and has the athleticism and instincts to make the transition smoothly.
Thomas Santo, Nicholas Lang, and Daniel Banach will also be in contention for the final spot in the rotation.
One position of depth is at catcher. Valley Stream North has two capable catchers, Nicholas Navetta and Daniel Banach, who will compete for playing time behind the plate.
As for the current roster, Sanfilippo said, “As with all seasons, no lineups are made in the winter and all players, regardless of grade, will have a chance to earn playing time.”
Sanfilippo continued, “I feel good about the group we have coming back. Most played a lot last year and gained valuable experience against top teams. The core that we have is good enough to beat quality Conference A teams and return to the postseason. The league is slightly different this year, but still very challenging. There was literally not one easy game on the schedule last year. You had to be at your absolute best to earn a win, and I expect more of the same this season.”
The Spartans’ league opponents in 2023 will be Division, Bethpage, Floral Park, Manhasset, Hewlett, and Carey.
Valley Stream opens league play against Levittown Division on March 27th.
