Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.
Elimination game between Longwood and Ward Melville. Winner will advance to face Pat-Med tomorrow in the Conference II Final pic.twitter.com/ufnuXson2z
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 22, 2023
Longwood has become one of the most consistent programs in Suffolk County since Ryan McSherry took over in 2016. Last season was no different as they finished with a 16-8 record and a share of the League I title along with Sachem East and Pat-Med.
The playoffs started off extremely well as they defeated Bellport and Ward Melville, before blowing a late lead to Pat-Med and losing, 12-7. Then, they had to face Ward Melville in a rematch on the road, and they lost 3-2 in extra innings.
The Lions graduated a handful of impact players – most notably All-County OF Mikey Arbuiso and 3x All-League infielder Louis Kaleb, who is now at SUNY Albany. Arbuiso batted .377 with 22 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. Kaleb batted .380 and was one of of the best players in the league for the past three seasons.
They also graduated Ben Moscatiello who is now at St.Thomas Aquinas and CJ Rivera who is now at St. Joseph’s LI.
Fortunately, they return a handful of big-time players including a dynamic 1-2 punch atop the rotation.
Anchoring the rotation is Adelphi-commit CJ Forman. The hard-throwing righty was 5-1 last season with a 2.24 ERA. He struck out 34 batters over 34.1 innings. He proved his mettle and they are confident in him whenever he’s on the mound.
CJ Forman was lights-out in a critical game for Longwood as they defeated Sachem East 7-1 to get even in the standings. Forman went the distance and struck out six batters. He’s our Player of the Game @GCsports pic.twitter.com/6nkSaWWGIj
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 17, 2023
“CJ showed in his two seasons that he can pitch in big situations,” said McSherry. “He takes his craft extremely seriously. He does all the things you’d want in a leader. He is one of our captains.”
Joining him in the rotation is St. Joseph’s-commit Luciano Lorefice.
End of 7: We head to extras ! Ward Melville loaded up the bases but Lorefice retires Rob Looney to escape unscathed pic.twitter.com/fNjhbV8NOB
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 22, 2023
“He has the potential to be one of the best arms in the county. He plays a great shortstop. He can run into a baseball. He came back and pitched well in the playoffs. Him and CJ can be one of the best 1-2 punches we’e ever had.”
Lorefice pitched 18.1 innings and allowed 2 ER (0.76 ERA). They will be looking for those two to anchor the staff and log significant innings.
One of their All-League players was Cameron Horn, who pitched 26.2 innings, struck out 23 batters and compiled a 2.10 ERA.
“He is extremely versatile – he can play anywhere. He has a plus arm and he pitched in some big spots as a sophomore.”
Another impact player is All-League OF Danny Gagliano. Coach called him a “great all-around player, he’s a perfect teammate and weapon.” He led the team in hitting (.387) and RBIs (24) and also stole 18 bases. They will be looking for him to duplicate or exceed that level of production as a senior.
Top 6: Longwood has come to life with back-to-back RBI singles by Louis Kaleb and Danny Gagliano
Longwood 2, Ward Melville 2 pic.twitter.com/jgr41nDFre
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 22, 2023
They have a couple of other college commits – LHP Dean Ennis and 2B Jaden Urso. They are both headed to Utica University in the fall. Ennis is a lefty and will compete to round out the rotation. Urso is a well-rounded player and they’re hoping for a big season from him.
Dean Ennis pickups two Ks as he’s got it all working so far pic.twitter.com/nWOm0NbJVi
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 23, 2023
Last but not least, they have St. Joseph’s-commit Sean McCrain, who will pitch some valuable innings for them as well in 2024.
“We have a lot of depth,” said McSherry when asked what the strength of the team will be. “We will have kids on the bench that could go in for the starters. We have the tools to build something great. It’s up to us to do something with it,” he added.
They will be in League I once again along with Brentwood, Longwood, Floyd, Central Islip, Pat-Med, Riverhead and Whitman. They will open up with Walt Whitman, Pat-Med and Floyd. Coach spoke highly of those programs and he is especially impressed with Walt Whitman, whom he is expecting them to be a tough team to beat this season.
Longwood has been knocking on the door for a long time, as they are one of the perennial playoff teams. One of these years they will break through and they have the makings of one of the contenders this season.
