by Andy Smith
The Riverhead Blue Waves finished the 2022 season with an 8-10 record and missed the playoffs by just one game. Entering his first season as the head skipper, Kevin Kerman looks to carry on the legacy of Rob Maccone. Kerman explained, “I’d like to start by thanking Rob Maccone for his almost 20 years of being at the helm of Riverhead Baseball.”
Kerman first began his coaching career as a varsity assistant with Floyd. Maccone then brought Kerman into the middle school catching staff in March of 2020, when Kerman was hired as a physical education teacher at Riverhead.
The new head coach may be familiar to fans of Dowling College. The infielder was a member of the team from 2009-2013 under Tom Caputo. During this time, Dowling captured two Conference Championships and two East Regional appearances. Kerman took the time to thank both Caputo and his high school coach, Glenn Davis, for the role they played in shaping his coaching career. “I would be the coach I am today without the coaches I have had in the past. Coach Caputo is one of the best on the island, and I was very fortunate to have such great coaches.”
Riverhead will be without many impact starters who all had key roles in 2022. This group includes; Matt Caputo, Jackson Loper, Justin Mason, and Mike Gaffney.
Some of these players have gone on to take their talents to the collegiate level. Loper, an outfielder, is now playing college baseball at Keuka College and Mason, also an outfielder, is now a Utica University Pioneer.
Final: Team Steel Scout 5, East End Aviators Boyce 0 (16u)
WP: Aaron Miller pic.twitter.com/PeyP4dUEkI— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 24, 2021
The Blue Waves have a strong returning cast that is headlined by All-County senior Aaron Miller. The two-way force batted .378 with 8 RBIs, and registered an OBP of .491. On the mound, Miller threw 33.2 innings and tallied 37 punchouts with a 2.08 ERA.
Another piece of the rotation is junior Mark Gajowski. He is coming off an All-League season where he pitched 26 innings with 26 strikeouts to the tune of a 3.04 ERA. Kerman elaborated, “Both Miller and Gajowski have plus fastballs with pitches that sit in the 85-89 MPH range and will be a key part of this team’s success.”
Uncommitted LHP Mark Gajowski (Riverhead 2024) pic.twitter.com/nQWIlmtMk5
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 27, 2023
Rounding out the rotation is Connor Levasseur. The senior will also see time in the infield as well.
Kerman added about the state of the rotation and the three starters mentioned above. “Miller, Gajowski, and Levasseur will anchor down the rotation. They are all returning players with varsity experience and we are hoping for huge seasons from them.”
Another pitcher to note is sophomore Camden Wallace. “Wallace has the ability to jump into the rotation when needed and will log important innings this season.”
Senior Luke Pilon will be a feature in the lineup and has seen time at the hot corner and in the outfield in the past.
Other underclassmen Kerman noted in addition to Wallace were Brady Hubbard and Bryce Mackie. “They all have the ability to start or relieve on the mound and can play multiple positions on defense.” In addition, sophomore backstop Jaylen Harding will, “Hold down the fort behind the plate and has great potential to be an impact bat in the league.”
Brady Hubbard (Riverhead 2025) pic.twitter.com/bxu2Uu5ZkS
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 16, 2023
Riverhead is in a very competitive league in 2023 with Sachem East, Sachem North, Longwood, Patchogue Medford, and William Floyd. Kerman elaborated, “We are in one of the most competitive leagues on the island. The talent in our league is extremely competitive with great coaches leading them. For us, we have been preaching doing the little things right. With the potential in our starting rotation, we have the chance to win on any given day. Simplifying our at bats and being aggressive on offensive counts and cutting down on strikeouts from last season are going to be a main focus at the plate. Our emphasis on defense is on our footwork to put us in the best position to catch and throw the baseball successfully behind our arms. It is going to be a great test for our younger team this year and could be some of the best competition they have ever faced. We will be ready to embrace the challenge.”
Riverhead will take the diamond and begin the challenge on March 27th at Patchogue Medford.
