by Aaron Diaz
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
🚨 Upset Alert 🚨
Bethpage 3, Division 2
WP: Kyle Brindisi (5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 9 K)
S: Ziggy CohenJoe Resta: Go-Ahead RBI Single in 6th
Brindisi: 2-4, 2 RBI pic.twitter.com/3GTPgqTMMD— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 19, 2023
After another successful season with a 15-5 record, Bethpage’s deep playoff push puts them in a position to try and make another run with a young core around them. “For a team that lost a lot of guys, I’ve felt that we made a good run and had a good year.” said head coach Rob Fisher.
Like every other team on the island, Bethpage lost some seniors from last year’s squad. Bethpage will be without pitcher Kyle Brindisi, who committed to LockHaven for 2024. “He was our first baseman and number one pitcher, Fisher said. “He had a great year as an All-County player and our stud on the mound. He was also one of the best offensive guys in the lineup.”
All-Conference outfielder Sean Seeley graduated last year after playing multiple positions on the field last season. “He was supposed to be our starting center fielder but our catcher got hurt, went behind the plate and did an outstanding job.” Seeley will play a mix of baseball and volleyball at Hood College.
Bethpage 14
Hewlett 1
WP: Kyle Brindisi (CG, 8 K)Sean Seely: 3-3, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR
Christian Considine: 2-2, 2 R, 4 RBI pic.twitter.com/78SjzBKBhU— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 9, 2023
Dom Galeotafiore will be another piece missing from the rotation. Galeotafiore was named All-Conference in 2023. “He batted anywhere from 5-6 in the lineup, hit .350 and was a stud for us on the mound,” Fisher said.
Now with three positions to fill, Coach Fisher has four seniors this year who will be key contributors as a veteran presence on the team. Molly University-commit Ziggy Cohen will be a force on the mound and at third. From the lineup, Cohen batted .288 with five doubles and 19 RBIs. From the bump, he compiled 21 strikeouts with a 1.97 ERA in 21.1 innings pitched.
“He did a solid job defensively, Fisher said. “He started the year as a relief pitcher but then was pushed up to a starter and did excellent in the playoffs. We’re expecting him to be our number one this year.”
Fisher mentioned Vito Lonardo as a two-way player as well from first base and the mound. “He is going to be our starting first baseman,” Fisher said. “He showed that he can drive the ball and we have high hopes that he will be very good this year.” Lonardo hit .250 with RBIs and four doubles in 20 at-bats on the season.
Pitcher/OF Joe Resta showed some improvement in his junior year. Resta plays the outfield but is more widely known for his pitching throughout the season. His 15 strikeouts and 4.78 eras came with a 2-0 record in 21 innings pitched.
“He played good defense and he pitched a little,” Fisher said. “We’re looking for him to take over the left fielder job and be a contributor in the lineup.”
The anchor on the field is Joey Luparello at the catching position. In his junior season, Luparello carried a big bat with a .292 average hitting three doubles and two triples. His nine RBIs in 39 at-bats puts him in position to be a key facilitator in the lineup and for the pitchers. “He hit the ball well-being in and out of the lineup with injuries last season,” Fisher said. “He’s shown some good power and lefty bat that we’re looking to take over the catching job.”
Even with a successful, coach Fisher has certain goals he wants the team to accomplish with their four seniors at the helm. “We look to get better,” Fisher said. “Every day is about getting better. For us, that’s our mental focus, our approach and our process of becoming a better hitter and pitcher and we have some of those core guys hoping for them to do big things for us.”
Despite having those seniors, the core of the team remains to be young as Fisher has a couple of young players looking to make their impact in the lineup.
Juniors Joe Colleluori and Michael Mackolz will be looking to step up and secure outfield and infield positions after impressive sophomore seasons. Seniors A.J. Popov and James Mertz will also put their foot in the infield looking to secure any open roles. On the pitching side, two sophomores Charlie Ferrante and Will Lynn will be potential starters or coming out of the bullpen as the first relievers for Bethpage.
Within their league, Fisher explains their mindset on how they approach each opponent so his team is prepared for the season. “You want to play the best teams you can,” Fisher said. “Doesnt matter if you’re playing a team that you think is weaker or stronger, we always try to play the strongest schedule we can. If you rise to those challenges, come playoff time your team will be ready to go.”
Bethpage will take the diamond against Manhasset, Southside, Glen Cove, Bellmore JFK and Hewlett. There first in-league game will be against Manhasset on April 11.
