Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Vin Messana
Islip finished 2024 with an overall record of 8-12, as they had an extremely young team which featured just two seniors. It should be considered a positive that they will now be led by 11 seniors on this year’s squad.
Head Coach R.J. Going, who is entering his 7th season at the helm, will have a much more experienced roster, albeit a smaller one with 13 players.
Dylan Ruland (Islip 2025) looking sharp through three innings pitched
Crew 5 – Phenom 2
Mid third pic.twitter.com/lONIwnZ3sq— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 8, 2024
Leading the way is RHP/1B Dylan Ruland who will anchor rotation, he won four games last year, and man first base when he’s not pitching. Ruland is the youngest of three Rulands that all played for Islip. He is committed to Mercy College, where his brother Connor attends, and was named to our Preseason All-Long Island list.
Louis Poulos recently announced his commitment to Felician University. He’s entering his fourth season at the varsity level and will play CF. Coach Going is confident that he can “hold down the outfield.” In their victory over Mount Sinai on May 9, his clutch two-out, two-run double was the difference.
Middle infielder AJ Giel is committed to SUNY Old Westbury and will be a catalyst for the lineup. Giel had a big game in their April 27th win over Long Beach, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs. He also had multi-RBI games on April 12 and 15th.
Catcher-turned-outfielder Collin Haug was named All-League during both his freshman and sophomore seasons but missed last year due to an injury. He is back healthy and they are hopeful he can return to his 2022 and 2023 form. He will be attending P27 Academy next season.
LHP Dylan Broschart (Islip 2025) contributed on varsity as a freshman. Very high ceiling with command of four pitches pic.twitter.com/0J4YSysEFI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 4, 2022
Dylan Broschart is a LHP/OF that is also entering his fourth year on varsity. They will be counting on him to provide quality innings as well.
Last but not least, Going mentioned AIC-commit Alex Rahner as another impact player. He struck out 8 over 4 shutout innings in a victory over Hampton Bays.
Islip will be hoping for an improvement from their team defense this season. Coach noted that it negatively impacted them in some instances last season, prolonging innings and allowing more runs than they would’ve liked.
Another obstacle will be the quality of their opponents in League VI.
“Pound for pound, it’s one of the strongest leagues.” They’ll face Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Kings Park, Rocky Point, Shoreham-Wading River and Sayville.
They’ll open up today, April 1 in a non-league game against Ward Melville.
