Stony Brook-commit Nick Rizzo (East Islip 2023) pounding the zone, T86. Command of CH and 11-5 breaking ball. Pro potential pic.twitter.com/UM76wEV7Sv
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 6, 2022
In 2021, East Islip absolutely dominated and captured the Long Island Championship over Bethpage in a blowout. Many of the starters from that team went on to play in college and have established themselves as legitimate college players – RHP John Rizzo, catcher Ryan Thompson, SS Ryan Ferremi, to name a few.
Entering 2023, only 2 players remain from that team and it’s Stony Brook-commit Nick Rizzo and Adelphi-commit CF Anthony Rigogliosi. Last year’s team was senior-laden as well, but they did not have the necessary pieces to make a return to the County Championship, as they lost to Rocky Point in the Conference Finals after win a pair of playoff games.
They graduated a several impact players from last year’s team such as catcher Nick Winegard, CF Derek Burrell, INF Anthony DeSane, LHPs Bobby Finn, Nick Parrillo and RHP Derek Duncan.
Assistant coach Chris Padgur noted that this year’s team will be built around pitching and defense. They will undoubtedly be leaning on a big year from two-way star Nick Rizzo, who can shut down just about any lineup and can also provide punch in the middle of the lineup. Coach Padgur spoke glowingly of him.
“Nick Rizzo is our last starter left from the Long Island Championship team two years ago. He throws 4 pitches for strikes. He has all the makeup in the world. He’s basically a pro walking around a high school field. He goes about his business and keeps his nose to the stone. He is mentally prepared. He plays so much baseball, there’s nothing he can’t figure out. Last summer, he played all over the country. He went on a tournament and faced a team with 7 Division-I players and Think he threw a 2-hit shutout. We are expecting big numbers from him. He’ll be our ace, play first base and bat second or third in the lineup.”
Their other senior is CF Anthony Rigogliosi who will patrol their vast OF. He is a left-handed hitter and has great plate discipline.
Behind the dish, they will have talented junior backstop Ryan Smith who will likely be the starter for the next two seasons. Coach Padgur said “he’ll get his shot, he plays great defense.” At SS they will have junior Alex Johnston who started last year as a sophomore. He is a switch-hitter, plays solid defense and also is a very good pitcher. We covered his no-hitter in the LI Boys of Summer Championship in 2020.
Uncommitted LHP Thomas Costarelli (East Islip 2025) pic.twitter.com/NieEGo6llI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 7, 2023
East Islip will be a pretty young team, as they will likely have two seniors, three juniors and four sophomores in the lineup. That doesn’t mean they won’t be talented, as their JV team started 18-0 last season. Headlining that group is sophomore stud Thomas Costarelli, who is also the QB on the football team. Coach Padgur stated that the southpaw is already throwing the mid 80s, “he has a great curve. he can hit and he can really run.” He will play LF when he’s not pitching and he will likely bat second. He is a future D-I prospect.
At third base, they have sophomore Jaden Schmidt, who will also pitch. Coach said he “throws hard, he is a gritty kid and also a good hitter.”
The pitching staff will be anchored by Rizzo, St. Joseph’s-commit Michael Tomossone and one of the younger pitchers.
They will open up against John Glenn. They will also play non-league games against Islip, Kings Park, Harborfields and league games against Hauppauge, Hills West, West Babylon and Deer Park.
Coach said “there are no gimmes in this league.”
