Here was the final out of last night’s NSCHSAA Final @SAFriarsBase pic.twitter.com/8b8kvPYgIo — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 27, 2024 Trailing 2-0 in the 6th inning against the reigning Catholic League Champs is an unenviable position to be in, but the St. Anthony’s Friars were not going to be denied this time. Not after coming up close in many instances over the past two decades as the Friars searched for that elusive Catholic League Championship. The 2024 Friars, led by head coach Paul Parsolano, were able to outlast Holy Trinity in 9 innings at Mitchel Field to capture their first NSCHSAA Championship since 2000. “I’m at a loss for words. They are such a tough team – to be able to keep answering the way these guys have. I can’t believe these guy...
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series. St. Anthony’s has compiled a record of 25-8 over the past two regular seasons, but they fell short in the playoffs both times. Coach Paul Parsolano, now entering his 5th season with the club, is eager for his club to take that next step to get over the hump and break their championship drought. “The last two years we turned into a whole other team. We’ve been so close the last two years. We feel like the program is finally where we want it to be. I’ve never had this much depth since I’ve been here – at all three levels of the programs. We must be doing something right because more and more players are wanting to be here. I think we are ready to make t...
Jason DeCaro following his complete game shutout pic.twitter.com/ST5eBcXaQN — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 26, 2022 When you look at some of the qualities of teams that have won the Catholic League in recent years – it starts with pitching and veteran leadership that can get it done when the chips are down. During a recent conversation between St. Anthony’s head coach Paul Parsolano and senior Jason Decaro, the two discussed which game of the series the North Carolina-commit would pitch. In no uncertain terms, Decaro said, “I’m starting on Tuesdays, and we win on Tuesdays.” It’s that level of confidence that has allowed Decaro to skyrocket up rankings by national publications like Baseball America and become a possible 2023 MLB Draft pick. ...
St. Anthony’s coach Paul Parsolano on the victory @SAFriarsBase pic.twitter.com/MFzohVxbV4 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 26, 2022 One of the advantages to fielding a young team is that they typically benefit from the experience and come back the following year as a more cohesive and confident group. That appears to be the case for the St. Anthony’s Friars, who are flourishing in 2022. They defeated St. John the Baptist, 8-0, behind the second straight complete game shutout by Jason DeCaro – their ace junior who lowered his ERA to 1.42 with 31 strikeouts over 24.2 IP. He has taken that next step and become the ace they envisioned. DeCaro was lights-out, striking out 10, walking three and allowing just three hits (one was a misplayed double) over a complete g...
Fordham-commit Jack Vallario (St. Anthony’s 2022) is the reigning CHSAA Player of the Year. Compiled OPS of 1.253. Pro potential pic.twitter.com/B8OnvFZl60 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 1, 2022 Led by the returning CHSAA Player of the Year, Jack Vallario, St. Anthony’s is looking to take a step forward in 2022. They were defeated in the first round of the playoffs by St. Dominic, but they have their sights set on taking a leap this season. Vallario, a senior SS that is committed to Fordham University, is coming off an outstanding 2021 season that has earned him the respect of teammates and opposing players alike. Coach Paul Parsolano had high praise for his captain: “I attach other infielders to him – they follow his lead,” said Parsolano, wh...
One of the most critical aspects of a team is defense up the middle. Solidifying those portions of the field will often go a long way in run prevention and, ultimately, turning close games into wins. St. Anthony’s Head Coach Paul Parsolano, entering his second full season, sees this as his team’s strength citing his two senior catchers, Eddie Lippert & Anthony Capogna, as well as the double play duo of Jack Vallario & Alex Celeiro and CF Mike DeSantis. He stated that DeSantis may be their most talented defensive player on the team and will cover the most important position in the outfield. Vallario has already proven his mettle at the varsity level. Parsolano noted before he was called up, the team was treading water. “Once he got called up against Holy Trinity, h...
On this episode, we react to the blockbuster trade of Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. We also discuss the remaining top free agents, what kids should be prioritizing in their college recruiting process, why so many are transferring, why ‘can’t miss prospects’ actually miss, can you tell if a player has what it takes to handle a big moment, how people stay motivated in the low-minors and why Division-III baseball is underrated.
Paul Parsolano was named head coach of St. Anthony’s high school in December 2018, which meant there would be a short window of time to familiarize himself with an entire group of players, new surroundings and a new league. He found a way to get the Friars into the CHSAA Finals against Chaminade, where they were tied 1-1 heading into the eighth inning while facing MLB Draft pick Logan Koester. An unearned run on a bunt wound up resulting in the go-ahead runs to score and they were defeated, 3-1. Despite the loss, the feeling was that the Friars had exceed expectations in the first year of a new regime. “From the beginning, we spoke about ‘changing the culture’ of the baseball team,” said Parsolano. “We wanted to make them relevant again – when you ...