2024 Season Previews
Bellmore JFK Primed for Big Season After Hot Finish to 2023
It’s hard not to be optimistic about the direction of Bellmore JFK baseball following an incredible finish to their 2023 season in which they recorded their highest win total (13-7-1) since their Nassau Class A County Finals appearance in 2016 under coach Eric Passman. Mike Gattus, who took over in the Spring of 2019, has built the program back up to being a contender. After getting swept in their first series last year against Garden City, they showed resilience – first taking two of three against a strong South Side team, before rattling off 9 conference wins in a row. Ultimately, they finished with a playoff loss against Bethpage which ended their season, but they did have a taste of postseason success as they defeated Long Beach. They graduated 8 seniors from last year̵...
St. Mary’s Poised to Take Step Forward in Year 3
by Max Edelman Just three seasons after restarting their baseball program, the St. Mary’s Gaels look to finally establish themselves in the Catholic League. After restarting their baseball program in 2022, the Gaels, led by head coach Chris Estrada, who is entering his third year with the team, were forced to rebuild from the ground up. Despite finishing 2023 with a 2-14 record in the CHSAA, and a 9-14 record overall, Estrada was able to find the progress his team and players made. “Last season, I think the kids got a better sense of being in the catholic league.” Estrada said. “How strong it is, how competitive it is, how many top prospects there are whether they are going DI or possibly getting looked at to get drafted. The kids had a second year to get adjusted to it, and the record is...
Bridgehampton Looks to Build on Class D Regional Appearance
by Aaron Diaz Bridgehampton 4 Port Jefferson 2 Bridgehampton wins the Suffolk Class C/D Title Scott Vinski complete game 8 strikeouts 2 runs and 4 hits allowed He also broke 2-2 tie in top 7 with 2 out 2 RBI single They will face winner of Babylon-Center Moriches for Conference 5 title pic.twitter.com/d1ZYBPvRut — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 23, 2023 After a 43 year hiatus from high school baseball, it was an impressive second year in the league for Bridgehampton. They made a trip to the Class D Regional Championship and they have their eye set on the prize in the 2024 season. The Killer Bees finished with an overall record of 10-9 and a league record of 9-6. Their season came to an end with a loss to Chapel Field in the Class D Regional Championships, 2-0. “We used that gam...
Kellenberg Returns 16 Players From 17-Win Team
by Max Edelman Despite a strong season for the Kellenberg Firebirds in 2023, which saw the team finish with an overall record of 17-8, the Firebirds ultimately fell short of their goal of winning a Catholic League championship. Although the ending wasn’t ideal, head coach Pat Miles, who is entering his 4th year as the head coach of Kellenberg’s varsity team looked back on what he believed was a strong season for his team. “We had a really good season.” Miles said. “We won a playoff game against St. Dominic’s in the losers bracket which sent us to a game against St Anthony’s. Unfortunately for us, it was the only time we lost to them last season. Obviously, 17-8 is a great season, not what we wanted, but that’s how we wrapped it up.” The big loss for Kellenberg comes in the form of An...
Queens College Looks to Defend Their ECC Title
For the first time since 1998, Queens College is the ECC Champs! They win it 9-8 in 10 innings on a walk-off pic.twitter.com/6qeecjEjAD — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 13, 2023 2023 was a banner year for Queens College as they broke a 25-year title drought, capturing the ECC Championship in dramatic fashion over the two-time reigning champs, Molloy. The Knights needed to win twice on Championship Saturday and that’s exactly what they did; winning by the scores of 11-7 and 9-8. Over the course of the 5-game tournament, they scored 55 runs. “I’m extremely proud of the guys,” said Head Coach Chris Reardon who is entering his 11th season at the helm and was the recipient of the Axcess Baseball College Coach of the Year Award. “I’ve never been a pa...
Oceanside Looking to Take Next Step in 2024
by Mike Merolle Oceanside 10, Port Washington 2 WP: Patrick Pallentino (6ip 1ER 4 Ks) Luke Villella: 3 for 5 3 singles 3 RBIs Jake Lunenfeld: 3 for 4, 2B and 2 singles 2 RBIs Justin Alvarez: HR, 2 RBI’s Sean Varon: 2 for 3 pic.twitter.com/tFPbm2Oaor — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 17, 2023 After having their season cut short by Massapequa in 2023, Oceanside plans to bounce back this upcoming spring. Though the result did not favor Oceanside, there was a positive in their Nassau County Class AA playoff experience. The Sailors developed a young, inexperienced 2022 core into a 2024 college-bound group. Head coach Mike Postilio highly praises his two junior leaders, Luke Villella (‘25) and Kyle Scheurer (‘25). “When I watched them as freshmen, you wouldn’t tell they were freshmen. ...
St. John the Baptist Looks To Returners For Bounce Back in 2024
by Max Edelman Last year was a mix of highs and lows for the St. John’s the Baptist Cougars. After a strong start to the season filled with promise, the end wasn’t as rewarding. Coach Ryan Dalton, who is entering his second year as head coach of the Cougars, highlighted the highs and lows for St John’s last season, who finished 2023 with a 7-14-1 record overall. “Last year we started off pretty well and then we struggled towards the end of the season.” Dalton said. “ We started strong and then ended up losing in the second round of the playoffs.” Although the overall record doesn’t stand out on paper, the Cougars did get off to a strong start in conference play, starting the season with a very respectable 5-2 record. Following the strong start however, it was rough sledding for St ...
St. Dominic Looks to Take Next Step in 2024
By Max Edelman Final: St. Dominic 10, Chaminade 1 WP: Victor Frederick Frederick also hit a 3-R HR pic.twitter.com/uHl1vHvaD6 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 18, 2023 Last season was yet another step in the right direction for the St Dominic Bayhawks. After a season in which the Bayhawks finished with a 17-8 record and made a playoff run in coach Joe Fusco’s second year as head coach, Fusco and the Bayhawks have high hopes for the upcoming 2024 season. “We made a major jump last season.” Fusco said. “We won 17 games, we ended up tying for second place and ended up a game out of first. Unfortunately, in the playoffs we did win a playoff game, but then lost two one-run games. But overall, I think the year was a resounding success for what we were looking for.” Despite winning ...
