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Center Moriches Hopes to Build on Championship Appearance

by Mike Merolle

Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.

It was a bittersweet ending to 2023 for Center Moriches. The team made the Suffolk County Class B Championship and led for the majority of the game until Babylon scored on a walk-off, winning the championship 6-5. Nonetheless, it was still a successful season considering Center Moriches’ 10-8 league record and their strong playoff run. Head Coach Paul Gibson is entering his fifth season managing the squad and is looking forward to another great year in 2024. 

Center Moriches was the 2018 and 2019 NY State Champions. After the pandemic suspended a season of play, Gibson only had one or two players returning from those teams. In response, he brought a handful of eighth and ninth graders who he now considers seasoned varsity players. 

“They have experience in big games and have a high level of leadership. It has been a pleasure to watch these guys grow and I look forward to seeing that begin to play out on the field in March,” Gibson told Axcess Baseball. 

Among those leaders playing varsity since eighth grade are juniors Joe Hiller and Brayden Hromada. 

Hiller, playing shortstop and pitching, is described as the “anchor in the rotation since eighth grade” and has “given [Center Moriches] quality start after quality start.” Gibson shows a great deal of confidence in Hiller. “When Joe is on the bump, we always feel like we have a chance to win regardless of the opponent. [He] had a great summer season and is beginning to get looks from several college programs.” 

Hromada has also made an impact since joining varsity in the eighth grade. Hromada, playing catcher and pitching, provides quality at-bats in the middle of the lineup. He will join the pitching rotation this season and is also receiving interest from college programs. 

Gibson also noted his key returning seniors. Gavin Derosa batted .400 and was All-League as an outfielder last season. Evan Kaloski is another offensive weapon Gibson has stored in his outfield. He is committed to Manhattanville College. Andrew Foster is a utility player who will be the team’s captain this year, according to Gibson. 

In some programs, underclassmen are overlooked. However, as Gibson mentioned, Center Moriches has been no stranger to utilizing young talent on the varsity team. Sophomore Luke Rebore Costanzo is a speedy outfielder who was an All-League selection as a freshman in 2023. He’ll be looked to at the top of the batting order this season. Sophomore Max Rayburn led the team in RBIs as a freshman last season. The first baseman had a great summer season on the travel circuit and will be counted on for his big bat. Freshman JT Bonventre is expected to take a big leap in 2024. He started as an infielder last season as an eighth grader. Gibson describes him as a “physical kid with big-time tools.” 

Gibson’s main area of concern is improving the team’s offensive production from last season. He believes with the experience added to this year’s team, they’ll hit better than the team has in the last two years. Center Moriches’ biggest strength is pitching and defense. The team gets the fundamentals right. “That is our brand of baseball. We throw strikes and make routine plays. If we are able to stick with that formula, we will have the ability to win some ballgames,” said Gibson. 

Gibson isn’t circling any particular series on the schedule this season. “Our approach is one pitch, one out, one inning at a time. We promote the idea of focusing more on what we do as a team and less on whoever our opponent is and what they do,” said Gibson. 

Center Moriches will open their 2024 league schedule away at Southampton on March 25.

 

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Vinny is the President of Axcess Baseball. He is a 2013 graduate of Adelphi University and he is currently the Long Island area scout for the San Diego Padres

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