Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
By George Caratzas
After back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, the East Hampton Bonackers missed the postseason in 2024 in a year that saw them finish 8-12. With head coach Vincent Alversa entering his tenth year at the helm, East Hampton is looking to return to success.
Last year, the Bonackers undoing was an inexperienced pitching core, which is something that Alversa sees as a strength of this year’s roster.
“I think last year was actually a bit better than what I was expecting with such a young staff,” Alversa said in an interview with Axcess Baseball. “We got a lot out of the fact that those guys gained some experience and we can move forward from there.”
This year, Alversa has four high-caliber arms at his disposal, all of whom are upperclassmen.
Of those four, Alversa has senior Carter Dickinson returning as one of his best options. Dickinson — who is committed to continue his career at Castleton University — is also in the mix to claim East Hampton’s starting catcher role. Last year, he struck out 31 batters in 30 innings on the mound.
Catcher Carter Dickinson (East Hampton 2025) pic.twitter.com/smmkdTv67R
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 27, 2024
“He has continued to be a leader for us, basically since his sophomore year,” Alversa said. “All around, he has the most experience of anyone on our team. He is going to have to lead the way this year.”
Some of Alversa’s other options on the mound include juniors Trevor Meehan and Finn O’Rourke. Meehan was a strikeout machine for the Bonackers as a sophomore, punching 35 batters in just 25 ⅔ innings. O’Rourke on the other hand, was the model of consistency, posting a 3.50 earned run average in 23 ⅔ innings.
“Having those two guys returning is big,” Alversa said. “Both Finn and Trevor gained a lot of experience last year. Hopefully, with those guys and Carter getting that time on varsity, they can get us back into the playoffs.”
The final piece to East Hampton’s rotation is Tyler Hansen, who is a utility player that helps out on the mound. Hansen — a Clarke commit — will fill numerous holes for Alversa this season.
“He is the guy that you can stick anywhere,” Alversa said. “Whether it’s third base, the pitcher’s mound, the outfield, he is the jack of all traders.”
The overall roster versatility will be much needed, as the Bonackers lost arguably their best player last year. In the offseason, catcher Nico Puglia graduated and moved on to Boston College after being named one of East Hampton’s two All-League selections.
“Nico was our catcher and was an outstanding guy to have behind the dish,” Alversa said. “He was a big bat in the middle of our lineup and a tremendous leader. He would have been a starter on varsity since eighth grade had it not been for the COVID year during eighth grade.”
In his place, Alversa has not settled on a full-time backstop, but Dickinson figures to get a lot of opportunities when he is not pitching.
“We’re still in the process of figuring things out,” Alversa said. “Most likely, it will be Carter so right now he’s the guy but he also pitches and therefore we are still figuring things out.”
The biggest offensive returnee is the Bonackers’ shortstop in senior Hudson Meyer. Meyer is already committed to SUNY Oswego to play college ball, after hitting .310 in a campaign that saw him garner All-League recognition a year ago.
Middle infielder Hudson Meyer (East Hampton 2025) commits to Oswego State @TitansBsb le pic.twitter.com/foSgHmIjPW
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 27, 2024
“Hudson is going to lead our lineup,” Alversa said. “He was All-Leagur for a reason last year and along with his bat, his defense saved us quite a bit last year.”
While Meyer will man shortstop, the rest of the infield is far from decided. Aside from his excellence on the mound, Meehan profiles as a potential starter at first base while junior Lives Kuplings is an intriguing option for Alversa at second. Hansen is also an option to play third, as he will likely split time with junior Mason Miles at the hot corner.
The outfield is another unknown for East Hampton, as Alversa will have to wait until the completion of spring tryouts to nail down his starting three. The one lock however, is junior Victor Diaz.
Diaz hit .295 last year, giving the Bonackers a contact-oriented bat near the top of their order.
“He is a solid outfielder and a great bat,” Alversa said. “Good with contact and practically led our lineup for much of the season last year.”
With the results of last season behind them, Alversa and his group are prepared to get to work for this season, aiming to flip last years’ sub-.500 record.
“They know they’re better than 8-12,” Alversa said. “This group is ready to go. They’re hungry. They want to get back into the playoffs and try to make a run.”
East Hampton’s season will begin on March 31 when they welcome Happague.
