Mike LaDonna
Mike LaDonna Commits to Palm Beach State
Final: West Islip 5, North Babylon 4 (13 Innings) WP: Brad Battaglini (5 IP, 1 R) Mike LaDonna: Wall-off sac fly pic.twitter.com/ogXGg6gd4Q — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 24, 2019 One of the most consistent pitchers on Long Island over the past two seasons was West Islip RHP Mike LaDonna. The hard-throwing RHP was a key cog in the Lions’ incredible 22-game win streak in 2018 that culminated in another Suffolk Class AA Championship. He also had a dominant 2019 season in which the Lions made it back to the Final 4 but ran into Max Nielsen and the Ward Melville Patriots. LaDonna also won the Boomer Esiason Award, given to the top QB in Suffolk County after an incredible season in which he threw for 19 TDs and ran for 21 TDs, but lost to Lindenhurst in the Suffolk II title ...
Mike LaDonna Delivers Walk-Off Sac Fly In West Islip’s 13 Inning 5-4 Win
Final: West Islip 5, North Babylon 4 (13 Innings) WP: Brad Battaglini (5 IP, 1 R) Mike LaDonna: Wall-off sac fly pic.twitter.com/ogXGg6gd4Q — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 24, 2019 With their backs firmly against the wall in the seventh and 13th innings, West Islip did what only they are comfortable doing and that’s battling back from behind. They came back from deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to win 5-4 in 13 innings against League 4 rival North Babylon. “We grinded today,” said winning pitcher Brad Battaglini. “We had a lot of opportunities and couldn’t really push a run across but we got the “W” today,’ he added. The reigning Suffolk AA Champs are comfortable with the uncomfortable and unflappable even in the stickiest of situations. ...
West Islip Has Become the Gold Standard for Suffolk County Programs
When it comes to the Mount Rushmore of Long Island baseball, there is no doubt that West Islip is firmly entrenched with their recent run of success. Head Coach Shawn Rush has been at the helm for nine years and has won Suffolk County Class AA Championships in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Additionally, they have 14 graduates currently on college rosters and one active player in the Major Leagues (Nick Tropeano). It’s been a run that only Massapequa can trump. Speaking of them, it was those Chiefs of Massapequa that finally ended West Islip’s 21-game win streak that culminated with winning the Class AA title over Eastport-South Manor. It was a battle of two red-hot teams but it was Massapequa that came out on top, avenging the 2014 Long Island Championship in which West Islip was victor...
Q & A With West Islip RHP Mike LaDonna
(Editor’s Note: It was yet another successful season for the West Islip Lions. They captured their third Suffolk County Class AA Championship since 2014. They had a 22-game winning streak prior to being defeated in the Long Island Championship by Massapequa. One of the main reasons they were able to have such an incredible season was the performance of junior Mike LaDonna. He was the winning pitcher in the County Championship against Eastport-South Manor, showing off his mental toughness and fastball with a complete game effort. Following the season, he announced his commitment to Division-II NYIT to play for Frank Catalanotto. Not content, he went out and led the football team to within a few years of a County Championship against regining Div-I LIC Champs Lindenhurst. I had a ch...
Cinquemani’s Double Delivers West Islip’s Third Suffolk AA Title in 5 Years
For the third time since 2014 West Islip captures the Suffolk County Class AA title ! pic.twitter.com/yc8SLZY0Dh — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 28, 2018 Two years ago, Shawn Rush was playing Kan Jam with his sophomore outfielder Jake Guercio following their victory over East Meadow in the Long Island Championship at a team barbecue. “We were just crushing everyone and he said to me ‘this is fun let’s do it again in two years’!’ Coach Rush said recounting the memory. They moved one step closer to being able to play another game of Kan Jam and by playing in another Long Island Championship with their thrilling 3-1 victory over an exciting and dangerous Eastport-South Manor team. Undefeated Ryan Foran had a no-hitter through four innings, but ran into...
West Islip Runs Win Streak to 20; On Verge of Third AA Title in 5 Seasons
That’s 20 consecutive wins for West Islip! Sophomore Bobby DiCapua has 8 of those. He’s our @DigmiNation Player of the Game after recording a CG win allowing just 2 R in the Lions 7-2 victory over Eastport-South Manor pic.twitter.com/vrEFbZaiFi — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 27, 2018 West Islip continued their other-worldly play as they used a four-run third inning to cruise past Eastport-South Manor, 7-2, for their 20th consecutive win. Sophomore ace, Bobby DiCapua, fired a complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts to win his eighth consecutive decision of year to put the Lions on the precipice of their third Class AA title since 2014. DiCapua did just enough to earn the third spot of the rotation entering the season, according to Head Co...
West Islip Runs Win Streak to 19; Advances to 3rd AA Final Since 2014
No. 2 West Islip brought their bats against No. 3 Commack as they defeated the Cougars and are moving on to the Suffolk Class AA Finals. They will be looking to claim their third AA title since 2014. They will enter the series with a 19-game win streak. The Lions beat Commack 10-2 on Friday thanks to 12 hits and a stellar pitching performance from starter Anthony Cinquemani who allowed just two runs en route to a complete game. These two schools met last year in the AA Finals but with a different outcome as last year Commack moved on to the Long Island Championship and this year it was West Islip’s turn to advance. West Islip got the scoring started right out of the gate as they scored two runs in the first inning off of Commack starter James Cardinale. The Hofstra-commit hit West Islip le...
