by Aaron Diaz
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
The 2023 season had promise for Syosset Braves as they had a 7-6 record before losing two of their last three. In the Nassau AA playoffs, their season was stopped short by Farmingdale for the second year in a row. Coach Tom Morritt wants to improve in their upcoming 2024 campaign heading into his sixth season.
“We didn’t start great,” Morritt explained. “We started 1-6 but then rattled off six in a row to get to 7-6 in league play. We ended up being eliminated in the playoffs by Farmingdale. It was a good season. We had many kids returning and many young kids who became big contributors. But it was good to have our hat in the mix at the end of the season.”
For the Braves they may not have lost a lot of players but the few they did will leave a big hole to fill in 2024.
Kevin Hargrave, a two-year varsity player will leave the Braves with a big spot to fill. Hargrave was the leader of the team. “He was the leader of the team,” Morritt said.” He’s not playing college baseball but he was a good high school athlete. He was the demonstration of what we were looking for around here. He’s the leadership type of kid that we’re definitely going to miss.”
“Our biggest loss was our shortstop, Alex Rubin,” Morritt said. Rubin batted in the middle of the order and he was a super-athlete according to Morritt. “He had the framework to be a big-time player and he was a big one for us.”
A junior heavy 2023 team will now be anchored by a multitude of seniors who’ve had experience in the playoffs.
One of the many key returning players in 2024 is Steven Klein, who will be behind the plate for Syosset. Klein is entering his senior year with a big arm behind that plate. Klein caught nine runners stealing last year and will curtail the running game this season. “This will be his third year behind the plate for us,” Morritt said. “The kid is a junkie for baseball, he has outworked everyone that has come through the program. He put himself in a position to play college baseball and he’s going to throw out some kids this year. He’s critical for us.”
Syosset 15, Baldwin 5
WP: Kevin HargraveVincent Favata: HR
Steven Klein: 2-for-3, 3 RBIs pic.twitter.com/M3hdU3LyXv— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 4, 2023
Second basemen/RHP Tommy Martelli will assist on the right side of the infield and after last year solidified himself as a starting pitcher for Syosset. Martelli held his own in the playoffs against Farmingdale where he pitched a seven inning shutout until the lead was given up in the eighth.
“As a sophomore he was getting his feet under him a little bit,” Morritt said. “By the end of the season he was our best pitcher so he’s going to be another big one for us.”
Martelli impressed the stat sheet with a 2-1 record in five games started. He compiled a 2.33 ERA in 27.0 innings pitched, notching 37 strikeouts.
Also on the right side of the diamond, sophomore Dylan Santucci will start at first after bursting onto the scene last year. Santucci hit .321 with a OBP of .406 and in 65 plate appearances only struck out three times.
“As a freshman, he batted fourth every game,” Morritt said. “He can hit for power, gap to gap and over the fence.”
On the left side, senior Patrick Mianulli excelled with his glove displaying good defense. Mianulli swung the bat well with a .333 average and found a way to get on base with a .489 OBP. “He’s the ultimate utility kid,” Morritt said. “He’s played some second base, third and shortstop in some scrimmages for us. He’s got that toughness and is super effective in the field defensively.”
Senior pitcher Matt Eysser will get some looks from the back of the bullpen. “He’s a really experienced pitcher for us,” Morritt explained. “He’s going to get his time on the mound.” Eysser gave some relief in the late innings with 24 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched last season.
In the outfield, junior Ethan Ramirez and senior Vinny Favata will anchor their positions and have established themselves at this level. Ramirez came off an injury last season but showed promise in 13 games with a .379 average, .513 OBP and six stolen bases. “Ramirez is a super athletic lefty, who’s going to do a good job for us,” Morritt said.
Vincent Favata (Syosset 2024) commits to Division-I Mount St. Mary’s pic.twitter.com/AHhnaVO0rP
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 29, 2023
Favata also displayed immense talent in the outfield during his junior season. He collected a .327 batting average, slugged .500 and had two home runs on the season.
With a fully loaded team heading into the 2024, there are certain goals coach Morritt wants to meet for his team to have the same success replicating 2023. “Being good at anything is going to be hard work,” Morritt explained. “We’ve challenged them to work and they have to work together to build that team dynamic because there’s going to be up and downs in a season. But there’s gotta be a hunger for it, we’ve been eliminated by Farmingdale for the past two years, so we’re on the radar of taking that next step.”
Syosset will try to pursue a playoff push as they start the season in a non-league game on March 22 against Hicksville and open league play against Port Washington on March 25.
