Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Adrianna Armani
After a strong showing in 2024 that saw the Carle Place baseball team reach the county semifinals, head coach Steve Laurino believes his squad is poised for a championship run this season. With a talented core of returning players and a rigorous offseason training program, the Frogs are determined to bring home their first county title in 22 years.
Carle Place pushed Wheatley to three games in last season’s semi finals before falling short. Wheatley ultimately went on to win the County and Long Island championships. However, Laurino sees that playoff battle as a key stepping stone for his team.
“We had a lot of young players step up last year, and the good news is most of them are back,” Laurino said. “Philip Bunt, for example, had a huge season as a sophomore, hitting .436 in conference play and earning All-County honors. He’s returning as a junior and will be a major part of our pitching staff as well.”
Philip Bunt’s Season Stats
- Batting: .436 AVG, .593 OBP, 1.157 OPS, 17 hits, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored
- Pitching (25 IP): 3-1 record, 28 strikeouts, .161 AVG against in 5 starts
The Frogs faced a challenging schedule last year, battling tough conference rivals like Wheatley and Oyster Bay. With some of the top pitchers from those teams having graduated, Carle Place sees an opportunity to rise.
To prepare, the team ramped up its offseason training, utilizing a local baseball facility for extra hitting and focusing on defensive drills and pitching development in winter workouts.
“We knew we had big expectations for this year, so we made sure we were fully prepared,” Laurino explained. The Frogs are led by a trio of experienced captains:
Thomas Schoch (P, 2B, SS – All Conference 2024)
- Batting: .295 AVG, .741 OPS, 10 RBI, 8 runs scored
- Pitching (10 IP): 1-0 record, 1 save, 15 strikeouts in relief
Patrick McCarthy (SS, P – All Conference 2023)
- Batting: .250 AVG, .734 OPS, 16 RBI, 10 stolen bases
- Pitching (26 IP): 3-2 record, 29 strikeouts in 5 starts
Colin Driscoll (C – All League 2024)
- Batting: .286 AVG, .492 OBP, .872 OPS, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, 13 stolen bases
Additionally, sophomore Roman Sandanado, a left-handed pitcher who recently transferred back to Carle Place from Holy Trinity, is expected to make an immediate impact in the starting rotation.
Carle Place’s last County Championship came in 2003. Now, with a veteran core and a motivated roster, Laurino and his players have made their goals clear.
“We talked about it on day one—this is the year we can finally do it,” Laurino said. “The players believe it, the coaches believe it, and we’re ready to compete for a championship.”
The road won’t be easy, with tough competition from teams like Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay, and East Rockaway, but Carle Place is confident in its ability to make history.
“We feel like this is our time,” Laurino added. “Now, it’s about proving it on the field.”
