Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by George Caratzas
Two years ago, the Island Trees Bulldogs went just 5-13-1. Last year, second year head coach Mike Valiando’s group had a resurgent season, going 10-9-1 in the regulars season but eventually losing in the playoffs in a Game 3 to Plainedge.
As Valiando enters year three at the helm, this year figures to be a crucial year for the program, as he is set to lose 12 seniors at the end of the year.
“Each year we set goals for our players to work towards in the offseason and in season,” Valiando told Axcess Baseball. “This group of seniors have been improving each year so I am excited to see them finish out their high school careers with no regrets.”
It certainly will not be easy for Island Trees, as it saw one of its best players graduate at the end of last season in Andre Mule. Mule — who saw time on the mound and at third base — hurled the most innings of any Bulldog with 38 and pitched to a 2.01 ERA.
“Andre was a key piece to our success last year both on and off the field,” Valiando said. “Over the years our seniors have done a great job setting the standard of what needs to be done both on and off the field for the program to be successful. I am very confident that this year’s group will continue those traits.”
With the loss of Mule, Island Trees will have to look elsewhere to replicate his .379/.409/.534 triple slash that created a .943 OPS. He also contributed 18 stolen bases while only getting caught once.
The biggest returner coming back for Valiando is shortstop Nick Karras who is committed to play baseball at Southern Connecticut State University next year. In a season that got him an All-County selection, Karras slashed .478/.593/.746 with three home runs and an OPS of 1.339. He also led the team with 32 hits and 9 doubles while stealing 26 bases.
Nick Karras (Island Trees 2025) commits to Southern Connecticut State University pic.twitter.com/bX7pU9YYo6
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 27, 2024
“Nick had a great year last year,” Valiando said. “As a coaching staff we knew it was just a matter of time before he put it all together. Nick is a very humble hard working kid that always puts the team first and just wants to win. This year with Nick being one of our leaders we expect big things from him.”
Another college commit that Island Trees has coming back is outfielder Kevin Krystensen, who is also a pitcher that Valiando will likely lean on.
Krystensen — who is headed to Farmingdale State University in the fall — hit .362 last year and drove in 17 runs, second to just Karras on the team leaderboards. He profiles as a middle of the order threat for the Bulldogs, as his .517 slugging percentage ranked second-best on the team. On the mound, Krystensen threw the second-most innings with 23 ⅓ , striking out 25 batters.
For his efforts, Krystensen was tabbed on the All-League team last year.
Another All-League selection was pitcher Ryan Mabrouk, who also plays the outfield. Mabrouk hit .307 a year ago and added 20 ⅓ innings on the mound.
The last college committed player for Valiando is outfielder and pitcher Jake McCotter, who is set to continue his playing career at the College of Saint Vincent. While McCotter did not spend a lot of time on the mound last season, he did post a .381 on-base percentage in limited at bats.
Second baseman Jack Luckey and catcher Nick Rottino are two more returners that will likely see an increased role. Luckey reached base at a .432 clip last year, thanks in large part to 17 walks. He also pitched 20 ⅓ innings, striking out 26 opposing hitters.
Rottino did the bulk of the catching for Island Trees, playing in 16 of the team’s 23 games. In the batters box, he tallied 10 hits, two doubles and nine RBI.
Valiando spoke highly of Rottino’s ability to control the game at the catcher position.
“Nick Rottino is going into his second year behind the dish and is a solid leader behind the dish,” Valiando said.
Another name that Valiando mentioned was first baseman Richie Montalvo. Montalvo is an on-base machine, as despite a .269 batting average, he posted a .513 on-base percentage. Montalvo is a bat to ball machine, walking 19 times compared to just 15 strikeouts. He was also hit by seven pitches and posted an .821 OPS.
Richie Montalvo (Island Trees 2026) rips a double off the wall. pic.twitter.com/XQHinQBP0d
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 21, 2024
In limited playing time, junior first baseman Jacob Schmeisser hit .357.
The pitching will be the biggest area of concern for Valiando after losing Mule and Will Monahan, pitched to an ERA of 2.84.
Guys such as Krystensen, Mabrouk and Luckey will all need to take a step forward for the Bulldogs to successfully recover from the pieces they lost. Thankfully for Valiando, he believes that his team is as ready to compete as ever.
“These guys are hungry to get on the field,” Valiando said. “After the season at our exit meetings, they all expressed how the game started to slow down throughout the season.”
While the season is still over a month away, Valiando is happy with what he has seen during the team’s winter workouts thus far.
“[Workouts] have been great,” Valiando said. “I am very fortunate to have some great coaches in Anthony Rinaldi and James Messina who go over and above in helping these kids continue to develop. Our pitchers just got on the mounds, so they were all fired up about that. Our position players have been doing position specific individual workouts and you can see the improvement from last year.”
For Valiando, the end goal has remained the same.
“Each year, our goal never changes and it is to win a County Championship,” Valiando said.
The Bulldogs quest for a county crown will begin on April 1 against Wheatley.
