by Aaron Diaz
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
Newfield 11, Centereach 2
WP: Matt HesselbirgBartho: 3 hits, 2 RBIs
Hesselbirg: 2 hits, 2 RBIs
Whitbeck: 3 RBIs pic.twitter.com/6Qli1lYfjJ— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 4, 2023
Following losing 26 seniors in the past two years, the Newfield Wolverines couldn’t capture the same success in a County Championship in the 2023 season as they did in 2021. An early injury to their number one pitcher set them back as they had a team filled with youth.
Newfield finished 2023 with an 8-12 record despite a hard-fought year through the eyes of their coach Eric Joyner. “We lost our number one pitcher in week one, Joyner said. “That was a huge loss for us and something we could not overcome. We started the season behind the eight ball but with that said we competed. I was proud of how the team competed last year. We were young and inexperienced.”
Now that 2024 is right around the corner, some returning players are looking to build an impact for the Wolverines this season. “Moving into this season we returned a lot of kids so we’re optimistic that we can do some more winning.”
Matt Hesselbirg (Newfield 2024) commits to Division-II Mercy @TeamBEASTbsb pic.twitter.com/4cMOHAYMa1
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 4, 2023
All-County senior Matt Hesselbirg will play his last season for Newfield as a critical piece on both sides of the ball. “He’s one of our guys, statistically speaking he had one of the better seasons that we’ve had in the last 10 years at Newfield. He had a monster year.”
He batted .400 with 3 HRs, 3 triples, 5 doubles, 14 runs, 23 RBIs, 8-for-9 SBs at the plate and went 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA on the mound. He will be a key piece for their rotation and lineup.
The Wolverines will be getting back JC Gamble in which Joyner emphasized his talent on the field. “He is a talented ball player, Joyner said. Gamble is a switch hitter who plays a little bit of everywhere including the infield and outfield. As a sophomore, Gamble slashed a .345 average.
Gamble will be recovering from ACL surgery from playing football late in 2023 but Newfield feels confident they will get him back for some playing time in the 2024 season. “Now it’s looking like we’ll have him back at some point during the season.”
Kevin Brown will make his way back to the lineup as a three-varsity starter. Brown plays left field but can also play center and right if need be. “He’s a real athletic guy,” Joyner said.
Catcher Tommy Barone, who is also a three-year varsity starter will be asked to step up and lead the team along with Brown.
“These guys got to step up,” Joyner said. It’s their time, especially as seniors now. They were in the lineup every day last year, so they know the expectations and hopefully, it’s increased output.”
Sophomore Branden Seddio will look to progress his talents on the mound after an impressive 3-3 record. His performance gave him an All-League nod as a freshman and Joyner expects more in his second season.
Newfield will send freshman Brandon Seddio to the mound today pic.twitter.com/zIIgXhDlpa
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 13, 2023
He also plays right field and bats at the top of the order for the Wolverines. “He’s probably one of the most cerebral baseball players that I have ever coached especially as a freshman. He has a very bright future,” Joyner said.
Jayden Ramirez, a transfer from St Anthony’s will now play for the Wolverines in 2024. Ramirez is a switch hitter, who can play the outfield, infield and will pitch. His ability on the mound will be an X-Factor for this season.
Anthony Desantis will keep his spot in the rotation after securing it last season. Now a senior, Desantis will be one of the many leaders to provide leadership to the rest of the staff and the team. ”Anthony commands the strike zone and possesses a lethal charge up when he pitches.” Joyner said.
In preparation for a tough league ahead, Newfield will focus on one team at a time. “We treat everybody the same,” Joyner explained. “We just kind of keep it in a straight line, we dont attack the season or opponents with peaks or valleys. We just keep it the same and win the day and win the inning.”
Newfield will take the field on March 26 against Smithtown East in their first series of the season.
