Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Max Edelman
Are you kidding !!
Trailing 5-2 and down to their final out, Joey Goodman crushes a walk-off grand slam to send Calhoun into the Nassau Class A Finals against Division!
Calhoun 6, Mepham 5 pic.twitter.com/zSdoxrlY4S
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 26, 2023
When you’re at the top, everyone is gunning for you. For the Calhoun Colts, they were unable to continue their domination that they enjoyed over the course of the 2022 and 2023 season. Head coach Art Canestro, reflected back on a 9-10-1 season that he wished had a better ending for his program.
“Coming off the last two seasons, we won 49 combined games in 2022 and 2023.” Canestro said. We had been in the County Finals both years, and won the Long Island Championship in 2022. So being knocked out in a one-run game by Manhasset in the first round was a little disappointing for us.”
Despite the rough season, Canestro’s talented players still reaped the benefits of their sustained success, as from the 2024 team, a number of players continued their baseball careers at the college level. Those players include Danny Goodman, who is playing at Clark University in Worcester Massachusetts, his brother, Joey Goodman, who is now playing at SUNY Maritime, as well as Joe Santos, who is on the team at Mount Saint Vincent.
While numerous big time players left, the Calhoun Colts looked primed for a bounceback season. And with players, such as SUNY Maritime commit Ryan Morash, a rebound year could very well be in the cards for the Colts.
“He’s going to be our ace pitcher.” Canestro said. “He did fantastic last year, he was 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA. He’ll also be batting in the middle of our lineup and playing somewhere in our infield.
RHP Ryan Morash (Calhoun 2025) commits to SUNY Maritime @NextLevelBaseba pic.twitter.com/KjZKQkDNRj
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 29, 2024
In the outfield, Anthony Landolfi, a senior lefty outfielder is expected to slide into the middle of the Clark lineup this season. Canestro praised his senior for his power from the left side. At the top of the Colts lineup, Canestro had high praise for both Timmy Lynch and Brandon Myers. Canestro envisions both Lynch and Myers featuring in his infield, as well as batting towards the top of the lineup. Canestro also mentioned Joe Geraci, who is committed to play at Penn State Abington.
With a number of seniors graduating. It will present new opportunities for pitchers. Jack Zagariello is one member of the Colts pitching staff that Canestro will heavily rely on this upcoming season.
“He’s a junior pitcher.” Canestro said. “He’ll be getting a lot of innings for us this season. We’re looking forward to having all of these guys step up.”
When it comes to his team’s strength this season, Canestro believes that his team’s strength is their lack of a strength, the well roundedness of a team is what is important to Canestro. That, along with doing the little things on both offense and defense will be the key for the Colts.
“I don’t think that we have a particular strength.” Canestro said. “I think we’re going to be pretty well rounded. We’re just gonna just do the little things, play correctly as far as hitting, pitching as well as fielding. So I think that it will be the little things that will make us successful this season.”
