2022 Season Previews
Harborfields Enters 2022 Coming Off County Championship Appearance
By Thomas Cregan Harborfields head coach Casey Sturm is looking to pickup right where they left off in 2021 and make another run at the County Championship in 2022. They embarked on a fantastic run in 2021 posting a 13-8 regular season record propelling them into the postseason. They would ride the wave until a close game in which they were ultimately defeated by East Islip in the County Championship. Coach Casey Sturm was incredibly proud of his group’s performance despite the loss. They had a great core group of players that had long been in the program who came together to make a tremendous run to the championship. Sturm described it as “truly a special run, and one of the most fun years that I have ever coached, that was an incredibly resilient group that always remained competit...
Chaminade Enters Title Defense With 15 College-Committed Seniors
Chaminade has captured the 2021 CHSAA Championship with a 4-1 win over Kellenberg ! pic.twitter.com/jmozQfolci — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 10, 2021 Before Chaminade even takes the field for their title defense in 2022, first they have to finalize their roster. That may seem like a formality for a team returning 15 college-committed players. But it isn’t – in fact they had 51 players try out for the varsity team. That’s an incredible number in this era. “The competition at our tryouts is intense,” said head coach Mike Pienkos, who is entering his 40th season at the helm. They just captured their 17th CHSAA title in program history over Kellenberg. “I am blessed with a talented class, I mean the class is just loaded,” he added. Loaded...
Sachem North Returns Talented Roster from Playoff Appearance
By Michael Malaszczyk Sachem North has come out swinging in the first Back-to-back doubles by Billy Bullock and Steven Kiendle followed by a 2-R shot by sophomore Brandon O’Neill and the Arrows have a 3-0 lead pic.twitter.com/kWIsRgWq9f — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 24, 2021 The 2022 varsity baseball season is almost upon us, and Coach Tom Gambino of Sachem North is getting right down to business this season. Sachem North finished with an 8-11 overall record, which included a playoff appearance. They lost in the playoffs to Longwood, but Coach Gambino returns plenty of talent for this year. “A couple of injuries hurt us at the end of the year,” Coach Gambino said. Sachem North did see a few players graduate last year. Those players were Sean Kruse (now at Gettysburg Col...
Despite Graduating the Diamond Award Winner, Clarke Ready to Compete in Nassau A4
Sean Welsh again ! This time a grand slam opens up a 7-0 lead for Clarke in the second inning 😧 pic.twitter.com/f3F3H3hWid — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 12, 2021 It was a typically strong season for the Clarke Rams who finished with a record of 16-4 and a share of their 37th league championship and 19th final four appearance. They also added another Diamond Award winner to their growing list. In a way, though, the season was not quite satisfying. They began with throwing no-hitters in three of their first five games of the season thanks in large part to the aforementioned Diamond Award winner, Tyler Cox. They were head & shoulders above their competition for most of the season. Just prior to the postseason, it was announced that Nassau Conference V would have their own pl...
Ward Melville Ready for New Challenges of League II
By Daniel Lopes Phillies prospect Ben Brown (Ward Melville 2017) getting some work in. Fastball back up to 95. The 6’6 RHP has a minor league career ERA of 3.41 pic.twitter.com/zZOpsd4UDD — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 30, 2022 After a 13-5 season in 2021, head coach Lou Petrucci and his Ward Melville squad are ready to enter a new era of the program, as they will play in League II for the first time of Petrucci’s career with the program. “I’m going to miss all of my friends in League I,” said Petrucci. “But I’ll try to make new friends in League II.” As they make this transition, they will be without two key players and leaders who have since graduated in Luke Gacovino and Mikey Mortilla. Petrucci praised Gacovino’s ability to lead the team even during an uncertain s...
Lynbrook Hopeful Hot Streak In Second Half Carries Over to 2022
By Thomas Cregan Uncommitted RHP Sean Mylan (Lynbrook 2022) showing good command, T80 pic.twitter.com/Sed2QvSy1R — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 17, 2022 Lynbrook coach Al Marrazzo is looking for a bounce back year from his group of returning players in 2022. Lynbrook finished the 2021 season with a record of 5-14 missing the playoffs in a tough league, which Marrazzo admitted was a disappointing outcome. However, throughout the year he saw players making improvements and many of their games were closely contested and competitive. He was pleased with the way his team finished the season as they won 4 out of their last 5 games in 2021 and hopes that it was a good sign of things to come. Lynbrook will see many returning players start in 2022 and Marrazzo is hoping that the...
Oceanside Looking to Build Off Playoff Season
By Daniel Lopes Baltimore Orioles prospect Kyle Martin (Oceanside 2016) pic.twitter.com/udoJab78CZ — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 27, 2021 After a 2021 season that saw Oceanside make a surprise run in the playoffs with an inexperienced roster, head coach Mike Postilio is ready to build on the progress of that run. “It wasn’t what I hoped for or expected, but at the end, we found a way to get in the playoffs and then make it back to the final four with a team that was under .500 for the first time since I’ve been coaching there,” Postilio said. “I was super proud of the kids and the senior group. We had great leadership.” They were eliminated in the semifinals against Massapequa in a best-of-three series. Multiple seniors from last year’s team have since graduated, but...
Garden City Remains Hungry Following First LIC Since 2000
By Michael Malaszczyk We spoke to Garden City Head Coach Dave Izzo about his thoughts following the 5-3 championship victory pic.twitter.com/knlgdqS1AT — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 20, 2021 It goes without saying that Garden City’s baseball team knows how to win, especially under the guidance of Coach Dave Izzo. Coach Izzo, while proud of how his team performed in 2021, remains humble ahead of 2022. “Last year we won the Long Island Conference II Championship,” said Izzo. “We were happy with how it ended. It was our first L.I.C. since 2000.” Coach Izzo still wants to keep in mind the blood, sweat, and tears that led Garden City to its championship in order to keep his 2022 team hungry. “We didn’t have a tremendous regular season,” he said. “We went 11-5 in league play....
Coming Off First LIC In Program History, Mount Sinai Hungry to Stay At the Top
Chris Batuyios strikes out 3 batters to end the game. Mount Sinai wins the Conference V Long Island Championship pic.twitter.com/ZmZmwIGRbW — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 20, 2021 “I told these guys it’s hard to get to the top, but it’s even harder to stay there,” Mount Sinai head coach Eric Reichenbach said in regards to defending their Long Island Championship which was the first in program history. They defeated Island Trees in a wild one, 8-6, at St. Joseph’s College as ace Chris Batuyios struck out the final hitter to seal the deal. One could make the case that Mount Sinai was expected to compete for a championship in 2022, yet found a way to win it last season. Reichenbach agreed with that statement. “I thought we were a year away, so ...
Despite Graduating Conference III MVP, Division Still Loaded With Talent
by Mike Anderson Like a Long Island varsity baseball powerhouse typically would, Division did not disappoint in 2021. They finished the year at 14-4 overall, going 14-2 in league play. They won their 39th league championship in program history simply by riding their strong culture, according to head coach Tom Tuttle. “We just have a really good culture and players that commit to the program, and that’s the reason why we’re successful year-in and year-out,” Tuttle said. They did graduate a pair of very impactful seniors: shortstop Nick Roselli and pitcher Will Giuliani. Roselli was Conference III Player of the Year and an All-Long Island selection, and now plays Div-I baseball at Binghamton. His stats were absurd – as he broke a school-record by batting .619 with a .701 (!) OBP....
MacArthur Looking to Ride Deep Pitching Staff in 2022
by Mike Anderson NINETEEN punch outs for JT Raab. We head to the bottom of the 8th tied 1-1 pic.twitter.com/aCD5Q4rTO1 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 4, 2021 Marred by injuries and the scheduling conflicts that the pandemic caused, MacArthur high school varsity baseball had every reason to struggle in 2021. Having said that, they did anything but struggle, going 13-7 and taking the eventual county champs to a Game 3 of the semifinals. Now that the team is healthy and the schedule is mostly back to normal, they have plenty of reasons for optimism in 2022. Of course, every year brings graduation, and most graduations bring losses. MacArthur lost their ace starting pitcher and DH JT Raab, who is now playing Div-I baseball at Stony Brook. Luckily for them, they already know how to ...
Island Trees Preparing for Title Defense in 2022
Here’s the final out of the game for Island Trees – a strikeout by Vinny Giambona – to send them into the Long Island Championship pic.twitter.com/tlcB1bPIsj — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 18, 2021 Joe D’Auria knew from the time they were in 5th grade that they would be a special group. “I said this is the group I want to go out with,” said D’Auria, who guided Island Trees to the Nassau County Conference 5 Title in 2021 and will be retiring after this season. It was an outstanding season, and for those inside the building – it was not the least bit surprising. “I told you last year, these guys are real baseball players. They dedicate themselves – they play extensive travel ball. I thought this would be the year they&#...
