Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Max Edelman
Top 4: Bayport-Blue Point has broken through with 5 runs via 2-R single by Tyler McKillop and a 3-R shot by Nick Karafantis pic.twitter.com/Msbcv8WFFm
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 29, 2024
When you bring a new head coach to your program, it’s hard to expect an immediate impact. Few could have expected the new head coach of the Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms, Victor Manzella, to have the remarkable success he had in his first season in charge, leading his team to a 15-3 record.
“Last season went great.” Manzella said. “We were League VII Champs and Suffolk County runner-ups. When I was in West Babylon, I beat Blue Point in the Suffolk County Championship. But coming here, the foundation was left by coach Jim Moccio. It was very easy transitioning to a team that already had a lot in place and a lot established. They already had that winning culture. It was a very smooth transition for me to step into that position.”
Phantom alum Nick Karafantis is playing at Saint Joseph’s of Long Island. Additionally, Manzella shouted out All-County senior Logan Curran. Who, although not playing college ball, was a major piece of the 2024 Phantoms, hit .450 last season, and was one of the best hitters in last season’s lineup.
Fresh off of last season’s success, the Phantoms will be poised to repeat their winning ways last year. They will be led by a pair of All-Long Island preseason players. Tyler McKillop, the team’s starting shortstop, hit .350 last season, and has been an All-League player both his sophomore and junior seasons.
“He’ll be at the heart of our lineup.” Manzella said. “He’ll be our starting shortstop. He’s also going to be a starting pitcher for us as well.”
The second of the All-Long Island duo is SUNY Maritime-commit Guytano Kiesel. Kiesel, is the starting catcher for the Phantoms, and hit .365 last year. Kiesel was an All-County a season ago.
Catcher Guytano Kiesel (Bayport-Blue Point 2025) commits to SUNY Maritime @TitansBsb pic.twitter.com/2HfAcManJi
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 11, 2024
“He’s probably one of the best catchers I’ve seen on Long Island in a long time.” Manzella said. “Defensively, he’s one of the best and he has a cannon for an arm.”
The ace on the mound for the Phantoms, Cooper Fuller, is back for his senior season in 2025. Last season, he struck out 52 batters in 42 innings. Fuller also collected a record of 5-2, to go along with a save. In center field, Mike Messina, an academic All-League player in 2024, is also returning for his senior season. Messina is committed to play at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Uncommitted RHP Cooper Fuller (Bayport-Blue Point 2025) pic.twitter.com/10ybtmmL4l
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 30, 2024
For the reigning League VII champions, they will be tested right from the jump, with eight games in their first 11 days. Therefore, Manzella plans to deploy a four-man rotation to begin the season. The rotation will be made up of Fuller, Messina, McKillop and Brady Gelling, who is committed to St. Olaf College in Minnesota.
Both returning players, Manzella is looking forward to seeing how Brendan Mattimore and Aiden Richman adapt to increased roles in 2025. While Mattimore is a returning starter, Richman will take over the starting second base position for the Phantoms.
“Both have good sticks.” Manzella said. “They’re also both good fielders so they’ll have no problems this year.”
With seniors graduating, it creates opportunities for JV call-ups, and one of those call-ups will be junior outfielder Colin Most. Manzella is excited to see what Most can bring to the Phantoms with both his bat and glove in 2025.
“He’s a really good hitter.” Manzella said. “He’s also a really good fielder that can cover a lot of ground in the outfield. So we’re going to be happy to have him out there.”
Another JV call-up will be freshman Ryan Kloss. Kloss was a member of the Bayport junior varsity team as an eighth grader last year.
“He had a really good year last year as an eighth grader.” Manzella said. “He’ll probably see some innings on the mound this year and definitely see some time in the field at first base.”
After falling short of their ultimate goal of a Long Island championship, Manzella believes his team has what it takes to make the big leap in 2025.
“The pitching is going to be key.” Manzella said. “I believe that you need depth in your pitching, and I believe that we have that this year. I also believe that you need experience and we definitely have that. For some of these kids, they’ve been to the County Championship twice and fell short both times. The theme of our season is ‘unfinished business’ so they’re ready to go. They know what it takes to get there, they’re hungry this year, they want to finish the job. We have the tools to do it. Our goal is to make the playoffs, win the league, win the county and then take it from there. It’s all in progression, we try to hit our goals day-by-day, hopefully we’ll be lucky enough to get back there again. I believe that this is the year we can do it.”
The Bayport Blue-Point Phantoms will begin their season on March 31 against John Glenn.
