by Max Edelman
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
Nice playoff win today for MacArthur over Manhasset. 2 strike approach to tie the game early. @MACgenerals @axcessbaseball @_MYLIB @PBR_NY_LI #uncommitted #2025grad #baseball pic.twitter.com/CR2KBOjjEV
— Dylan Tripi (HS 2025, C & 3rd, 3.9GPA) (@dylantripimac25) May 17, 2023
Last year was not a year that the MacArthur Generals were accustomed to. Legendary Head Coach Steve Costello (552 career wins), who is entering his 31st season as head coach of the Generals in 2024, looked back on last season, which consisted of an 11-6 record and a loss in the pool play round of the playoffs.
“We were 11-6.” Costello said. “But then we got eliminated in the pool play round of the playoffs. The kids did the best they could. But it wasn’t the kind of season we’re used to having.”
Last season, Costello carried 29 players on his roster. Of those 29, 14 of them were seniors and a number of them are now playing college baseball. Among them is James Eden, who is now playing at Adelphi. Ryan Tam, who’s now playing at Farmingdale. Three of them are now playing at Nassau Community College; John Dinkleman, Tom Lonergan, and Adrian Rumaldo.
While the Generals did lose nearly half their roster, there are still several returning players who will have to lead the charge for the Generals in 2024.
Senior Adelphi-commit Tyler Bonsignore, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, was All-Conference in 2023 and All-County in 2022. Bonsignore has been on the varsity team since his freshman year, and across those three seasons, Bonsignore has a 14-4 record on the mound.
2024 LHP/1B Tyler Bonsignore (MacArthur) is a 6’0, 175lb left-hander who pounds the strike zone and displays good command of all 3 pitches. Works at a 3/4 arm slot, projectable frame with a controlled tempo on the hill.
FB: 76-78
CB: 68-69
CH: 72-73 pic.twitter.com/7TSPzxWvcC— Prep Baseball New York (@PBRNewYork) July 13, 2022
“He throws hard.” Costello said. “He’s very smart. He’s got a really good changeup and curveball. He’s just a very complete pitching package.”
Junior infielder Dylan Tripi was an All-League player last year as a sophomore, and Costello praised his strong hitting ability for McArthur.
“Dylan is a good hitter.” Costello said. “And that’s hard to find. In Nassau County high school baseball it’s hard to find guys that can hit. Dylan’s got good power, a good eye, good patience. Going into this year he looks to be one of our top hitters.”
End of 5: Dylan Tripi snags the hard hit ball and gets on his feet to fire a strike across the Diamond. MacArthur is able to bear down and prevent Mepham from scoring with a 1st & 3rd, 1 out situation in the fifth
MacArthur 5, Mepham 3 pic.twitter.com/pjOsoPeRFI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 25, 2023
Also, a starter in the infield last year is Chase Palma. Palma started at shortstop for the Generals last year and is now going into his junior season following a sophomore season where he hit over .300.
On the mound, Costello will rely on a young group of pitchers that will be counted upon to carry much of the weight on the mound.
“We’re going to be very dependent on a group of junior pitchers.” Costello said. “They pitched a lot for us last year as sophomores, so we’re going to depend on them a lot.”
Two of those pitchers are Alex Darzano and Michael Joyce. Last year, Darzano and Joyce surprised Costello and saw heavy workloads.
“As sophomores last year they probably pitched more than I expected them to.” Costello said. “Those two jumped in and ended up throwing a lot, and throwing really well. So hopefully those experiences as sophomores will help them this year as juniors.”
In terms of who will fill the positions around the diamond, Costello sees many of those positions still up for grabs, as the only returning position players are Palma and Tripi. Other players who will be competing for playing time include Chris Lonergan, Ryan Zegers, Nick Albert, and Joe Farina.
Costello believes that it will be the pitching that is the strength of his team this season.
“I think it’s our pitching depth.” Costello said. “My hope is that we have six or seven guys that can be pretty good to very good varsity pitchers.”
The McArthur Generals will open their season in April 9 against Great Neck South.
