by Max Edelman
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
Ryan Degnan struck out 14, allowing just one hit and one walk and Carey won on a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the 7th pic.twitter.com/bgpt0MdTQG
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 25, 2022
The Carey Seahawks enter 2024 following a season in which they finished the year in third place in their conference, with an 11-11 overall record. Head coach Doug Robins, who is entering his fifth year as head coach of the Seahawks, praised his team’s performance despite being in a very strong league.
“We’re in a very competitive league with Division, Garden City and Calhoun,” said Robins. “Looking forward, we only lost two starters to graduation. So we have a lot of experience back on the team.”
Last year, despite not all being starters, 12 seniors who were on the team last year graduated. Of those 12, one of them is playing college baseball. Jake Perlowitz, who is now playing at Nassau Community College, was a two-time All-County player.
Of the many returning starters the Seahawks have, a number of them were award winners. Matteo Tufano, who was All-County last year, had a great 2023. At the plate, Tufano had a slash line of .433/.564/1.114, and following this season, Tufano is committed to play college baseball at Queens College.
Uncommitted Matteo Tufano (Carey 2024) pic.twitter.com/lzEDvpkbnb
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 1, 2023
Carey also has a pair of All-Conference returners. Senior Christian Boswell, an outfielder and relief pitcher, hit .365 last year. Also, All-Conference is sophomore Jayden Gigante. Despite only being a sophomore, Gigante is entering his third year on varsity, and despite his age, has been one of the Seahawk’s best players even while in middle school.
“Jayden is a sophomore this year, but has been All-Conference the last two years.” Robins said. “Jayden has been our leadoff guy the last few years, and has played center field. He has been a starter since eighth grade.”
OF Jayden Gigante (Carey 2025) with an 83 MPH throw to third. Was All-Conference as an 8th grader @BCprospects @NextLevelBaseba pic.twitter.com/o5xfn6KCAa
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 20, 2023
Junior Nicholas Medoro, who served as the Seahawk’s Swiss army knife last year, earned All-League honors in 2023. Medoro had a .395/.489/1.016 slash line and also had five doubles.
While not award winners, Robins has a squad of players who are no strangers to the varsity level, and carry a lot of experience with them into their junior or senior seasons. Entering his fourth year on the Carey varsity team is Justin Babiak. Babiak both pitches and plays third, and is committed to pitch at Farmingdale next year. Catcher Rob Nunez will be behind the plate as the Seahawks’ starter for the second consecutive season and is committed to playing at SUNY Purchase following his senior season.
Catcher Robert Nunez (Carey 2024) pic.twitter.com/8241ptG15t
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 21, 2023
While the Seahawks have plenty of veteran experience, there will be some new faces to the Seahawks, especially on the mound. Although both junior Jacob Baddino and sophomore Tristan Hickis got time on the mound last year, Robins expects both to be key arms for the Seahawks and to be staples of the Carey pitching staff for years to come.
For a team like Carey to be able to compete in one of the toughest conferences on Long Island, athleticism is important. And athleticism is what Robins believes is his team’s biggest strength.
“My philosophy is we want to run.” Robins said. “We want to run the bases, we want to put pressure on the defense, and force the hand of the other team.”
The Carey Seahawks will open their season against Mineola in a non-league game on March 25.
