by Max Edelman
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
St. John’s-commit Ryan Kiendle closing out the 7-3 victory for Connetquot pic.twitter.com/pbwCsZSFP2
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 21, 2023
In a season in which the Connetquot Thunderbirds saw a near-perfect regular season with an overall 19-4 record, they were unable to carry that success into the playoffs. In what head coach Robert Burger, who is entering his fifth year as head coach, called a tale of two seasons.
“Last year was a tale of two seasons.” Burger said. “We were the League III champs, number one seed in the Suffolk County playoffs. But then the second season started and we went 1-2. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.”
Connetquot 11, Bellport 7
WP: Nick Pepitone (5 IP, 3 ER)Justin Wilkinson 2-3 2 RBI
Rob Page 2-3 3 RBI and a 3B
Anthony Scarabino 2-4 2 2B— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 19, 2023
Following a loss in their opening playoff game to Pat-Med, who silenced the Thunderbirds lineup. The Thunderbirds were then placed in the loser’s bracket, where they bounced back with a comeback victory over Bellport. In their following game, the Thunderbirds saw their season end at the hands of Ward Melville.
“You never feel great coming out of losing,” Burger said. “But a lot of the guys on our team that were young learned a valuable lesson of what the playoffs are like, and that Melville loss is our inspiration for this year.
Fourteen members of the 2023 Thunderbirds roster graduated, many of them having been four-year players on varsity. Of those 14 seniors, nine of them are now playing college baseball. Among those names is Anthony Scarabino, who was the League 4 MVP and is now playing at the University of Albany. Justin Wilkinson and Erick Duignan, who are at Adelphi. Scott Northrop is at St. Joseph’s after transferring from St. Rose.
With the loss of 14 players, it will be up to the returners to step up and provide the much-needed spark the Thunderbirds require in 2024. One of these players is Ryan Kiendle. Kiendle, a St John’s commit, is currently in his senior year. Kiendle both pitches and hits for Connetquot and was All-League in 2023. Last season on the mound, Kiendle tossed 26 innings, struck out 32, won two games, and had an ERA of 1.30. At the plate, Kiendle hit .320, with five doubles, a home run, and knocked in 17 RBIs.
Team Long Island has opened up a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the third on a 2-R shot by St. John’s-commit Ryan Kiendle (Connetquot 2024) pic.twitter.com/xaeoqV8Ej6
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 19, 2023
“Kiendle is our guy.” Burger said. “He’s been with us since the ninth grade. He will hit in the top half of the order and be a force to contend with. He will pitch at some point and be a big addition to our already talented staff. He is a pre-season Yaz candidate for sure.”
Also All-League is senior Nick Pepitone. Pepitone, a right-handed pitcher, shined for the Thunderbirds last season. In 32 innings pitched, he won five starts, struck out 36, picked up a save, and had an ERA of 1.10.
“Pepitone will be our number one.” Burger said. “This is his breakout season. Nick can sling it and has also developed a great command of his secondary pitches. His fastball has reached 85+ with movement.”
Tony Gagliardo, a Dominican commit, is the team’s catcher, as well as a key leadership piece for the team. Also, a college commit is Evan Lora, who is committed to the University of Bridgeport and will be another impact pitcher for the Thunderbirds.
Catcher Tony Gagliardo (Connetquot 2024) commits to Dominican University pic.twitter.com/CgalzskuA3
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 6, 2023
In the infield, Burger cited junior Brandon Bartick and sophomore Jagger Adamo as two players who will be impactful defensively in the middle of the diamond.
Jagger Adamo (Connetquot 2026) pic.twitter.com/12pZz67BKE
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 18, 2023
“Both can flat-out play,” Burger said. We love what we have seen from them so far.”
On the mound, Burger has high hopes for sophomore right-hand pitcher DJ Filippone. Fillippone will likely compete for a spot in the Thunderbirds rotation, and Burger expects growth from Filippone not just this year, but in the years to come. Filippone’s fastball was clocked at 87 miles per hour in an indoor workout earlier this month.
“He’s going to be an absolute dude.” Burger said. “He was in the starting rotation for us last year, he ate innings in the back end. This year, he’s going to be in the front three.”
👤Michael Empaynado 1B
🎓c/o 2025 Connetquot HS
💪🏼 5’10/225lbs
🏠Ronkonkoma, NY
📚3.7 GPA@FlatgroundBats @axcessbaseball pic.twitter.com/AGH30x3leR— Michael “Taco” Empaynado (@mikeempaynado) September 27, 2023
Additionally, Burger picked out Dylan Cerone, Joey Scarabino, Mike Empaynado, Dylan Wilkinson, Cole Castaldo, Liam Murphy, and Santino Cappozzola as other players who could make big impacts in 2024.
When asked about his team’s strengths, Burger pointed out his team’s strong rotation, while also praising his team’s defense.
“The pitching and defense is the strength of our team this year.” Burger said. “We’re fast, we’ll manufacture runs, but in our rotation we have seven guys that can throw.”
The Connetquot Thunderbirds will open their season on March. 26 against Sachem North.
