by Aaron Diaz
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
Oyster Bay finished 2023 with a record of 11-6 record and a first round bye. Their season ended in the County Semifinals against their league rival Wheatley in extra innings, which was the only team they did not sweep during the season.
“We had a pretty good season,” said Oyster Bay head coach Jeff Schiereck. “The only games we lost were to Wheatley. We had a bye in the first round and faced Wheatley in the second and lost. It was disappointing but we’re back and ready for new things.”
The Baymen did not have a big graduating class in 2023 but losing All-County player Jonathan Goldschmidt in the infield will play a part in how Schiereck positions his team in the field. “He was a heck of a player for us,” Schiereck said.
The team also lost their catcher Colin Rainey as coach Schiereck said in last year’s preview as “one of the best defensive players around.” They will now have to also fill the catching position behind the plate.
For 2024, the Baymen have six returning key players to their lineup, three of them being starting pitchers who will have a big impact on the rotation. “ They all started last year,” Schiereck said. “That experience will help this year.”
Starting that rotation will be senior Tommy Rizzuto. He is committed to play for Adelphi in 2025. Rizzuto toppled hitters from the mound with 49 strikeouts in 38.2 innings pitched last season. In the lineup, he slashed a .345 average with a .526 OBP as an outfielder. That included 13 RBIs, 12 SBs, and three home runs. “Last year he was the pitching league MVP,” Schiereck said. “He did a nice job for us last year.”
Tommy Rizzuto (Oyster Bay 2024) commits to Adelphi University @NextLevelBaseba pic.twitter.com/1EFm2Yunux
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 30, 2023
Tommy’s other half, also senior Gianni Rizzuto, dazzles from the lineup as well. Gianni compiled 14 RBIs, 16 SBs, and two home runs with a .379 average and .506 OBP. “Gianni is also a very good player, Schiereck said. “I thought he should’ve been All-County last year but he was All-Conference as one of the better guys in the league. He does a lot of things to manufacture runs at the top of the lineup.” Gianni is committed to Pace University for the 2025 season.
Uncommitted Gianni Rizzuto (Oyster Bay 2024) displaying his power with a home run for Next Level Prospects in their 5-3 victory pic.twitter.com/B4KwxWUkgE
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 16, 2023
All-Conference player Dominic Carleo will be in the middle of the rotation this season as he pitched 36.1 innings with 71 strikeouts in 2023. Carleo will play collegiate baseball at New Paltz in 2025.
Rounding out the pitching rotation is Brendan O’Brien who is ready to play baseball at Muhlenberg in 2025. O’Brien was also named an All-Conference player after last season’s efforts. “With those three guys on the hill, we are expecting big things from them this year,” Schiereck said.
Brendan O’Brien (Oyster Bay 2024) with a strikeout for Phenom pic.twitter.com/Gc2K8tw7eh
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 16, 2023
In terms of position players, Chase Lordi will be an impact player for the Baymen. Lordi is now a freshman but played varsity as an eighth grader and was an All-League player. He batted .350 with a .500 OBP from the batter’s box. That also included 11 RBIs and 12 SBs.
“As an 8th grader, he was an All-League player so he’s going to be very good with him and Gianni at the top of the order,” Schiereck said.
Liam Gorney will play the DH position rounding out the lineup for Oyster Bay in 2024. “He’s going to be an impact player for us this year,” Schiereck said.
With a loaded team, Coach Schiereck continues to keep the same goals for his team as the years go on. “A legit goal for our team is to get to the counties and win it,” Schiereck said. “That’s on our minds, everything we do during practice is to try and focus on that and try to get that done. It’s been a while since we’ve done it but we’ve always been right in the mix. That’s the goal and that’s always going to be the goal.”
Oyster Bay starts their season in a non-league matchup against Division and their first league game will be West Hempstead.
