By Max Edelman
Final: St. Dominic 10, Chaminade 1
WP: Victor FrederickFrederick also hit a 3-R HR pic.twitter.com/uHl1vHvaD6
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 18, 2023
Last season was yet another step in the right direction for the St Dominic Bayhawks. After a season in which the Bayhawks finished with a 17-8 record and made a playoff run in coach Joe Fusco’s second year as head coach, Fusco and the Bayhawks have high hopes for the upcoming 2024 season.
“We made a major jump last season.” Fusco said. “We won 17 games, we ended up tying for second place and ended up a game out of first. Unfortunately, in the playoffs we did win a playoff game, but then lost two one-run games. But overall, I think the year was a resounding success for what we were looking for.”
Despite winning their opening game of the playoffs, the Bayhawks lost their next two games, one to Chaminade and the other to Kellenberg. Going into this season, the Bayhawks look to be very well positioned to make a deep run into the playoffs. However, much like any other strong high school program, St Dominic’s did lose seniors who were large contributors to the team last year, many of which are going off to play college baseball this spring.
The three players that left St Dominic’s to play college baseball are Jack Puvogel, who is now playing at Iona. Vinny Deiosso, who is now at Palm Beach State in Florida, and Francis Oliveri, who is a catcher now playing at Gettysburg. Also among last years graduates was former starting shortstop Mikey Burns, who, despite not going on to play college baseball, Fusco believes that his program got the most out of
“He did a phenomenal job. He ended up winning all league for us.” Fusco said. “I think we got the most out of him and he certainly had a great year.”
Going into this season, coach Fusco praised the pitching staff, crowning it the strongest aspect of the Bayhawks 2024 squad. The team is filled with strong returners who could be big impact players for St. Dominic’s on the mound, at the plate and in the field. One of the strongest of those players is senior Victor Fredrick, a 6’4” 200 pound two-way player who committed to St. John’s.
“He’s been clocked as high as 91 miles an hour.” Fusco said. “He was Newsday catholic league player of the year last season, as well as all league. His numbers were insane last year. He was 6-0 with an 0.50 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 40 innings. He also hit .404 and led the team in home runs and RBIs. I’d be remiss to say he’s not one of the top two or three players in the conference.”
Along with Fredrick, Matt Cruz, also a two-way player, is a two-time all league player and Rutgers commit is returning for his senior year. Senior right handed pitcher Danny Onorato, as well as junior Luke Lang, both committed to Iona will be returning to the Bayhawks rotation this season. Center fielder Jordan Ynoa, another All-League player, is also returning to St. Dominic’s this season, where he will remain the team’s starter in center.
All-League senior, and St. Thomas Aquinas commit Tommy Garrett will be behind the plate this year as the team’s catcher. Fusco praised Garrett for his ability behind the plate, as well as his ability to control the team’s pitching staff.
“He did a great job last year. Our pitchers tied for the least amount of runs allowed in the league.” Fusco said. “He does a great job commanding the staff back there.”
St Dominic 2. Kellenberg 0
Victor Frederick threw 8 1/3 innings while striking out 15 batters while only allowing 2 hits. Matt Cruz got the win in relief striking out 4. Mikey Burns had the go ahead 2 run single in top of the 9th. Andrew Koshy struck out 13 batters. pic.twitter.com/DbsemQWfQt
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 2, 2023
Although most of the big time impact players for the Bayhawks this season will be upperclassmen returners, Fusco did mention one underclassmen the team expects to make a big impact for the team in 2024. That being sophomore left handed pitcher Lucas Mooseman.
“He’s a left handed arm that’s been up to 83-84 miles an hour.” Fusco said. “He’s got really good stuff, super projectable body and I think he’s going to be a D1 player down the road so we’re really excited for the way he can contribute to the pitching staff.”
In the dugout, Fusco also added a new face to the dugout in the form of Matt Boyko. Boyko, a former college pitcher, will assist Fusco, as well as the other pitchers as the teams new pitching coordinator.
“He’s done a tremendous job and the kids have taken to him well.” Fusco said “With him along with our other assistant Steve Lee, we expect to bring a lot to the coaching staff.”
The St. Dominic’s Bayhawks will open their season against non-conference opponent LuHi in March. 21, and open their league schedule against defending champions Holy Trinity in March. 26.
