(Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.)
From 2008-2014 the Skyline Conference went through Farmingdale State College as the Rams captured 7 consecutive titles. Since that time. St. Joseph’s LI has won it four times, while no other program has won it more than once.
- 2015 – Old Westbury
- 2016 – St. Joseph’s
- 2017 – Maritime
- 2018 – St. Joseph’s
- 2019 – Farmingdale
- 2020 – N/A
- 2021 – Merchant Marine Academy
- 2022 – St. Joseph’s
- 2023 – St. Joseph’s
Tom Caputo took over as Head Coach following the 2022 season, and he led them to a 30-11 season, as they defended their title and made another appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
Following the season, his message was simple to the team.
“I just told them thank you,” said Caputo, who played his college ball at Hofstra University and three years with the Long Island Ducks. “That was a group that’s been around for a long time. They went through COVID together, they grinded through that. They stayed the course through a lot of nonsense. I told them thank you for making my first years as an assistant smooth and my first year as the head coach seamless.”
They graduated a handful of impact players such as Nick Vicino, Ryan Decoursey, Phil Krpata, Paul Gugliuzzo, Hermes Abreu, Jake Giannico, Ryan Foran and Anthony Cinquemani.
They were an offensive juggernaut – as they batted .334 as a team with a .903 OPS. Incredibly, they stole 124 bases in 137 attempts (91%). Additionally, they drew more walks (200) than they struck out (198).
Although not a big home-run hitting team, Krpata did hit 6 HRs. He has since transferred to Queens College for his fifth year. Krpata also stole 48 bases in 52 chances.
“He could’ve stolen 50 or 60,” said Caputo, “but I took him out late in games with big leads.”
They do return two All-Region players in RHP Dante Morabito and infielder Joe Sanguedolce. They are two players that will be leaders on the team in 2024.
Sanguedolce will be a big presence in the lineup. Coach said that “he’s been so consistent since he’s gotten here. He’s come a longways offensively.” He batted .347 with an .897 OPS, 4 HRs, 28 RBIs, 13 BBs, only 13 strikeouts and was successful on 20-of-21 stolen base attempts.
They also return James Maggio who compiled a slash line of .364/.421/.576 SLG as a freshman. He was limited to 99 at bats due to injury and still led the team in RBIs (37). Coach noted the team treaded water offensively when him and Decoursey were sidelined.
John Lynch will be another key cog for them in the lineup. The Holy Trinity grad batted .356 with a 1.001 OPS over 38 games. He was third on the team with 33 RBIs.
Coach mentioned A.J. Joya as a potential player to watch. The Central Islip grad batted .294 with a .948 OPS over 51 at bats.
“He’s been waiting for his opportunity. He came back in great shape – he’ll be in right field,” said Caputo.
Another player he mentioned was Jordan Ramlogan who transferred from Queens College last season. He had limited at bats due to the upperclassmen but he will be given a shot to play to LF. Caputo mentioned his speed, saying “his speed is on a different level.”
The Golden Eagles got another big transfer in middle infielder Dom Crema from St. Thomas Aquinas. He was a standout while playing at Smithtown West and graduated in 2022. He is the type of player that can have an immediate impact. Also, he was able to get his year back from 2023 so he will be at St. Joseph’s for four seasons.
Dom Crema (Smithtown West 2022) transfers to St. Joseph’s University LI from St. Thomas Aquinas. He hit .409 with 2 HRs 22 RBI 14 stolen bases,
Won Gold Glove, League MVP and All-County his senior season pic.twitter.com/w3CfGUbm4u— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 1, 2023
Behind the dish, they got two transfers in Scott Northrop (Connetquot) from College of St. Rose and Ryan Spreckels (Division) from Franklin Pierce.
The pitching staff should be strong once again. Charlie Aurandt is back healthy after missing last season. Coach stated, “knock on wood, he’s been looking good.” He was a horse is 2022, going 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA and firing 8 shutout innings in the NCAA Regionals against Stevens.
Jack Kelly threw a team-high 59.1 innings last season to a 4.10 ERA. He compiled a 6-2 record with 2 CGs and should be a weekend starter once again. Two rocky outings skewed his ERA in what was an otherwise great season.
Final: St. Joseph’s 4, USMMA 2
WP: Jack Kelly (CG, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 Ks)James Maggio: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs
St. Joseph’s advances to the winner’s bracket and USMMA will play the loser of Purchase-Maritime later today pic.twitter.com/HPzZ7getcd
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 12, 2023
“I think he’s one of the best pitchers in the conference,” said Caputo.
He will likely be joined by Peter Manger who was a revelation for them last year – compiling an unblemished record of 6-0 over 50 innings with a 3.60 ERA. Coach said, “he came out of nowhere and had a great season. He throws three pitches for strikes. Don’t ask about velocity but he just misses barrels.”
A freshman that has really impressed is Seaford-native Justin Jaskolski. Coach stated he’s been sitting 88-89 MPH but coach added that he ‘needs some seasoning.’
Starting on the mound for the B1000 Seminoles Tracy is Justin Jaskolski pic.twitter.com/563Zo0Y0mN
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 23, 2022
He also mentioned LHP Chris Perri, a transfer from Nassau CC. He’s been pitching in the low-to-mid 80s but throws three pitches and has experience.
In terms of captains, Caputo said he does not believe in them.
“I was a captain my whole life,” he said. “Coaches put an unnecessary responsibility on captains. If I designate someone lead, I have younger players that won’t step up and lead. If you are a leader, then lead. A sophomore can be a better leader than a senior – it is not seniority based. In my opinion, it works.”
Now that the Golden Eagles have proven to be capable of reaching the NCAA Regionals, they will be looking to take that next step – a difficult one- to win the regionals and advance.
“The perennial regional teams – they have depth in the pitching staff. We’re going to face Kean this weekend and they’ll throw a handful of guys that throw in the upper 80s – it’s the same with Cortland and Ithaca If you’re gonna get there, you need depth in the pitching, it has to be recruited. Can’t just have two hired guns. We had that at Dowling – has to be the same here. Back in 2014 we led the nation in ERA and almost won the regional. And now you have the Super Regionals so it’s even tougher.”
The team will open up the season very early – this Saturday, February 10 at Kean University. They also opened up against them last year. Coach noted that they will continue to do so in the near future.
The weather has cooperated thus far. They’ve been practicing outside each day since the spring semester began – with the exception of one day.
Caputo mentioned his coaching staff as a big reason for the team’s success.
“They are tremendous assistant coaches. It’s fun, we have a lot of fun with each other. I’ve known Asch {Andrew Aschettino} since I was 19-years-old. I coached Elliott, I coached Dwayne at Dowling. I’m not the only one. They’re all-in as well. They have no ego. We have a good dynamic. I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t having fun.”
Caputo and Co. will look to keep the fun times rolling as the Golden Eagles begin their quest for a three-peat this weekend.
