Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Tucker Terranova
When one examines the landscape of Suffolk County baseball, the history of the Shoreham-Wading River baseball program is impossible to ignore.
The Wildcats have long been one of the most successful programs on Long Island, securing 13 league titles and eight Suffolk County titles throughout their storied history. Perhaps the most remarkable achievement in the program’s history is the 37-year playoff streak, where they earned a postseason bid every year from 1986 to 2022.
After an uncharacteristic season in 2023, finishing 6-14 and missing the postseason, Shoreham-Wading River bounced back in 2024, posting an impressive 17-6 record, a performance much more indicative of the program’s historical dominance.
In 2025, the Wildcats aim to build on this successful season and continue adding to their rich tradition.
While Shoreham-Wading River graduated an impressive 2024 class featuring Gordon Vortuba (Mercy), the reigning League VII MVP, and Christian Cox (Framingham State), who batted .614 last season, head coach Kevin Willi, one of only two skippers in the program’s history, remains confident in the talent returning.
Congratulations to Shoreham-Wading River senior Christian Cox who is this week’s recipient of the Axcess Baseball x BK7 Brand Player of the Week. He went a ridiculous 15-16 at the plate with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 8 RBIs and 7 runs scored pic.twitter.com/pcSzpTl0MO
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 13, 2024
“We have a very strong senior class, led by Kyle Stella, Aidan Reilly, Cameron Sheedy, and Joe Leo. Most of them are entering their third or fourth season at the varsity level,” Willi said in an interview with Axcess Baseball.
RHP Kyle Stella (Shoreham-Wading River 2025) commits to SUNY Oswego pic.twitter.com/ix1mMJwy8x
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 18, 2024
Stella, who will continue his baseball career at SUNY Oswego in the fall, aims to finish his Wildcat career with a championship and another All-League season. Stella hit .390 with 30 runs scored and 18 stolen bases in 2024 while pitching to the tune of a 0.50 ERA in 14 innings. He is expected to be a key part of Shoreham-Wading River’s pitching staff and a staple in the middle infield.
Reilly, a versatile two-way player committed to Skidmore College, batted .380 this summer with Long Island Crew and will look to carry that momentum into the spring after an All-League campaign in 2024.
Sheedy and Leo, committed to Grove City College and Mitchell College respectively, will also play integral roles for the Wildcats this season. Sheedy will serve as the team’s catcher and is regarded as one of the top defensive backstops in the county. He hit .314 with a .409 OBP in 2024.
Leo, a right-handed pitcher and first baseman, is a key two-way player who will be crucial to the team’s success. Leo was an All-League selection last spring with a .403 average and 10 extra-base hits.
Beyond their outstanding senior class, Shoreham-Wading River has talent throughout all age groups. Willi highlighted junior Dan Laieta and freshman Conor Dietz as key contributors this season.
Laieta, a shortstop and right-handed pitcher who plays his summer ball for the OC Titans, will be counted on as a cornerstone piece of the program. In 2024, Laieta hit .328 with 10 extra-base hits and a 2.40 ERA.
Dietz, an intriguing left-handed arm, plays his summer ball for the East Coast Lumberjacks and features a fastball that sits in the low 80s. Dietz pitched four innings at the varsity level last season and has made a big jump in velocity.
Willi’s program has always been built on the principle of “hardball with class.” Shoreham-Wading River does not boast a large player pool, and often, Willi does not have to make cuts. Instead, the team focuses on developing players who understand that every player on the roster has a role and that success comes from consistently doing the little things correctly, both on and off the field.
This season’s squad is deeper than it has been in years, and Willi is confident that the team has the potential for something special.
“I believe we have a potential All-County team due to our expected strength and experience in all three major aspects of the game—pitching, defense, and hitting,” Willi said. “Our balance in those areas and depth could lead us to a strong season.”
The Wildcats know that to be the best, they must beat the best. In preparation for a championship run, Shoreham-Wading River is challenging itself with scrimmages against quality opponents, including Longwood, Eastport-South Manor, Patchogue-Medford, and Smithtown East, as well as two non-conference matchups against Walt Whitman, a League I championship contender.
The Wildcats kick off conference play on April 1, hosting Sayville. League VI features the reigning Long Island Champs, Kings Park, as well as Rocky Point, Miller Place, Mount Sinai and Islip.
