Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Joe Bello
Al Nucci is entering his 20th year as head coach of the Smithtown West Bulls. After winning their league for the first time since 2016 last spring, they will look to build upon that and have another great season in 2025.
“We competed in every game and played very consistent and fundamentally sound baseball from March to May.” Nucci said. “We had major contributions from a wide variety of players on the pitcher’s mound, in the batters box, on the base paths, and defensively in the field. The playoffs didn’t go according to plan, as we lost to a Comsewogue team in game one, who we swept earlier in the season, which put us in the losers’ bracket. We were then able to beat a very strong West Babylon team in round 2 before losing to East Islip in Round 3.”
The Bulls finished with a 15-3 league record last season and a 17-6 record including playoffs and non-league games. Obviously, they had a regular season filled with success last season but unfortunately for Nucci and his team, they couldn’t find that success in the playoffs.
Due to their graduation, the Nucci will be without some key players that impacted on the team’s success both in 2024 and 2023.
Pitcher and DH Connor Catania has moved on and is now playing at SUNY New Paltz. He went 7-1 on the mound with a 0.86 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 49 innings last season. Catania threw a no-hitter against Half Hollow Hills East and was 1 out away from throwing back to back no-no’s against West Babylon in his next start. He also batted .344 with 18 RBI at the plate.
Uncommitted Connor Catania (Smithtown West 2024) gets the start for Phenom against 5 Star pic.twitter.com/GXwTmEmBjz
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 16, 2023
Another one of their starting pitchers has graduated as well, in Brian Hope. He went 5-3 with a 1.74 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 43 innings on the mound last spring. Hope is now at St. Johns Fisher University playing football.
Jason Zeller, 1B and pitcher, is now playing at Marywood University. He was a big contributor on offense last spring, hitting .340 with 18 RBI. While also contributing out of the bullpen, pitching 10 innings with a 1.97 ERA. Third baseman James Camilleri also has graduated, he batted .275 with 10 RBIs last season. “Provided a great glove at 3b and was our emotional leader, who was always picking up teammates and kept the dugout clubhouse loose.” Nucci said.
LHP Brady Austin gets the start for Smithtown West pic.twitter.com/OgjeZzivES
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 3, 2023
As for this season, Smithtown West has a lot of talent returning for another season. Senior Brady Austin is the team’s ace on the mound and will be playing CF. Over the past two years, Austin is batting .350 with 41 hits and 26 RBI. He also threw a no-hitter in the playoffs during the 2023 season. He was named to Axcess Baseball’s Preseason All-Long Island team and is committed to Rowan University.
“He is our guy on the mound.” Nucci said. “He is another young man that is constantly looking to improve and get better. He has been great for us on the mound and that was while he struggled with his control at times. He has excellent high school ‘stuff’ and when he is on, can be as difficult to hit as anybody he matches up against. If Brady can stay composed and stay consistent in the strike zone, we expect to win the games he starts.”
Senior Nick Friscia is entering his 3rd year as a part of the varsity club at Smithtown West. He will be the team’s starting 1B this spring and is a power hitting lefty.
Nick Friscia (Smithtown West 2025) commits to Centenary University pic.twitter.com/S2QV6clqpA
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 31, 2024
“He is such a passionate kid, who works as hard as anybody we have ever had.” Nucci said. “He struggled last year, but battled through it and stayed positive and focused. After watching him during our workouts and seeing him hit during intrasquad scrimmages, he is ready to have a huge year. He is so easy to root for and I have a ton of confidence in him.”
Michael Cascione will be back as the Bulls’ shortstop once again as he goes into his junior year season. He has been the starting shortstop since his freshman year. Over his past two seasons he has 43 hits, 28 RBI and 25 stolen bases.
“Last year he earned All-League honors and is as good an athlete as you will get at the HS level.” Nucci said. “He was All-County football and All-County Basketball, and we look for him to be recognized at the end of the baseball season as well. We are also looking for Mike to pick up some of the pitching duties this year, hopefully as our closer.”
Junior Zack Aronson will take over the catching duties full time this season for the Bulls. He has been on varsity the past two seasons but now he will be a full-time starter. “He is a great young catcher who receives the ball well, blocks the ball well, and has a run-stopping arm. Offensively he should be a middle of the lineup guy that will be a run producer.” Nucci said.
Nucci also mentioned that the Bulls will have a lot of young talent getting their first taste on varsity this season. This includes sophomore Jax Cascione, sophomore Nick Given, sophomore Jimmy Rao, and junior Kyle Flood.
Jake Hutter will also be on the team this year, he has taken 2 years off to focus on soccer but will be making his return to baseball this season. Nucci added that he will help them defensively in the outfield and that his speed is a game changer.
The Bulls are heading into the 2025 season with a lot of excitement after two very successful seasons in a row.
“I always get excited and nervous about the upcoming season.” Nucci said. “I want the boys to have success and create memories that they will have forever about their high school experience. I believe if we come together, work hard, and execute the fundamentals, we have a team that can contend for a league championship and make a playoff run.”
Smithtown West opens up their 2025 season against Centereach on March 31st.
