Wantagh
Ken Kortright State Farm Game of the Week: Nick Berasti Goes the Distance, Clarke Reclaims Class A Title
by Tucker Terranova (Photo: Catherine Scarantino) Nick Berasti delivered a performance for the ages today for Clarke. He broke down what worked for him in a postgame interview with Axcess Baseball. pic.twitter.com/NxseFThmYA — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 28, 2024 In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the bases loaded and one out, the Clarke Rams fell just short of stealing a win, losing the first game of their best-of-three series against the Wantagh Warriors by a narrow 4-3 margin, facing the brink of elimination. Such a devastating playoff loss might have broken most teams, but Clarke’s dugout remained resilient. They bounced back in Game 2 with a decisive 7-3 victory, setting the stage for a thrilling Game 3 that was the only fitting way to conclude this back-and...
GAME RECAP: Christian Danzilo Slams Door in 4-3 Game 1 Win for Wantagh
by Tucker Terranova (Photo: Catherine Scarantino) The final Saturday game of our coverage of the Nassau County Championships featured a pitching duel between A-1 #1 Wantagh and A-2 #1 Clarke in the opening game of their best-of-three set. Christian Danzilo describes his gutsy save to lock down a 4-3 win for Wantagh. pic.twitter.com/s2cKMy3zyW — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 25, 2024 How they got here: After winning their division with a 20-3-1 record, Wantagh has taken care of business in the playoffs, currently possessing a 4-1 record in postseason play while defeating North Shore and Plainedge. Also winning their division with a 20-3 record, Clarke’s playoff run can only be described using one word: domination. Possessing a +35 run differential coming into game 1 and only allo...
Wantagh’s Jack Tate Does It All on Opening Day Victory over Garden City
by Max Edelman FINAL: Wantagh 8 – Garden City 4 Wantagh spoils Garden City’s home opener. pic.twitter.com/J7AUE7Lliw — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 1, 2024 The Wantagh Warriors spoiled the Garden City Trojans home opener with an 8-2 victory on April. 1. Despite a strong start by East Carolina commit Gabriel Beschloss, the Warriors were able to use a five-run fifth inning to take down the Trojans. Wantagh starting pitcher Jack Tate shined both on the mound and at the plate. On the mound, Tate pitched 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. At the plate, Tate went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, one of which was a key hit in the fifth inning, which helped the Warriors pull ahead in the contest. “I knew I had to come out and throw ...
Led by 3-Time All-County AJ Bardi, Wantagh Hungry to Make Playoff Run
by Max Edelman Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series. Final: Wantagh 2, North Shore 1 WP: Colin Crispyn (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 6 Ks) Wantagh improves to 12-3 pic.twitter.com/lsEYrfeXWo — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 5, 2023 Another spring means another season for Wantagh Warriors head coach Keith Sachs. He is entering his 30th season as head coach of the Warriors and looked back on last season. Despite finishing with a 16-5 record, they were eliminated from the playoffs by Calhoun. However, Sachs still considered 2023 a “solid season” for his program. “We had a solid season.” Sachs said. “We went to the semis. We won a couple playoff games, and we finished second in our league. Nassau A has always been some of th...
Where Are They Now Powered by The BK7 Brand: Chris Smith
“When you have Scott Boras calling you up telling you that you’re a first round pick, you take it!” Wantagh grad Chris Smith was not just one of the best players on Long Island during his magical ride of a senior season in 1998, but his took his game up a notch at Florida State University, where he became an All-American OF with a cannon of a left arm that generated 98 MPH heaters – and that’s before every team had someone sitting in the mid 90s. Smith was the rare two-way player that could thrive on either side of the ball, but once he showcased upper 90s heater against the University of Miami, it became clear the best path to multimillionaire status was on the mound. He made the controversial and difficult decision to leave Florida State after playing in back-to-back College World Series...
Ken Kortright State Farm Game of the Week: Calhoun’s Bats Explode for 14 Runs, Advance to Nassau A Final Four
Final: Calhoun 14, Wantagh 0 (5 innings) WP: Aaron Small Charlie Imhof: 3-for-4, HR Brian Sanchez and Matt Kalfas: 2 hits, 2 RBIs each Calhoun improves to 22-1 pic.twitter.com/DwuAG8xSUp — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 19, 2023 Relentless. That’s the only way to describe Calhoun’s offensive attack. The reigning Class A Long Island Champs have bludgeoned their way to a 22-1 overall record to start the season. They faced one of the best programs on LI today, Wantagh, but they treated them as they have treated every team they’ve faced this season and that’s by putting up runs early and often. Calhoun sent LHP Aaron Small to the mound against Wantagh. He was close to flawless as he pitched the five inning complete game, allowing just a walk in the first innin...
GAME RECAP: Colin Crispyn, Tim Hennig Combine for 11 Ks in 2-1 Win for Wantagh
Final: Wantagh 2, North Shore 1 WP: Colin Crispyn (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 6 Ks) Wantagh improves to 12-3 pic.twitter.com/lsEYrfeXWo — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 5, 2023 Wantagh did not qualify for the postseason last year for the first time since 1994. That one-year hiatus was a brief one as the Warriors have came storming back and are now 12-3 to begin the 2023 season. They were able to take a critical series against North Shore today by the score of 2-1 – as they displayed some of the key components to Wantagh baseball. They did face a tall order in facing hard-throwing southpaw Garret Gates on the road – and he showed what he was capable of with 9 strikeouts and just one hit allowed over 6.1 innings, but they were able to grind out at bats, draw 6 walks and ulti...
GAME RECAP: Tim Hennig Fires Five Shutout Innings, Wantagh Defeats Island Trees
by Eddie Lennon Wantagh’s Tim Hennig is the Axcess Baseball Player of the Game powered by @GCsports. He got the win over Island Trees, 8-3, tossing 5 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/vbHwd4Se1k — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 17, 2023 Going into this season, Wantagh had one goal: to make the playoffs. Last season was the first time they missed the playoffs since 1994. Their 8-3 win over Island Trees definitely helps them work toward their goal. Binghamton-commit Tim Hennig was spectacular on the mound for Wantagh. He went five scoreless innings, striking out five and only allowing five hits. The Wantagh infield did turn two double plays to help Hennig hold the lead. Paul Fontana pitched the last two innings to seal with win for Wantagh. B/2- Tom Wunderlich ...
Wantagh Looking to Bounce Back After Down Season
by Andy Smith Wantagh had a down year by their standards The consistently successful program missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994. Head Coach Keith Sachs, who has been the head coach of the baseball team for over 28 years reflected on the 2022 campaign. “It was the perfect storm. A very tough league, a lot of tough losses. We learned a lot.” Sachs, a former collegiate athlete at Hofstra elaborated, “We do not have to be a championship caliber team to have a good experience. The kids still grew and enjoyed themselves. They still cried during the last game.” Wantagh finished the season on a high note defeating Clarke during the final game of the year. Wantagh will be without Andrew Bonanno, who played a major role throughout his time on the team. The recent graduate starte...
Where Are They Now Powered by the BK7 Brand: Chris Smith
“When you have Scott Boras calling you up telling you that you’re a first round pick, you take it!” Wantagh grad Chris Smith was not just one of the best players on Long Island during his magical ride of a senior season in 1998, but his took his game up a notch at Florida State University, where he became an All-American OF with a cannon of a left arm that generated 98 MPH heaters – and that’s before every team had someone sitting in the mid 90s. Smith was the rare two-way player that could thrive on either side of the ball, but once he showcased upper 90s heater against the University of Miami, it became clear the best path to multimillionaire status was on the mound. He made the controversial and difficult decision to leave Florida State after playing in bac...
Q & A With Aidan Bardi
Almost three years to do the day, we did a feature story on a young player in the Wantagh district who put himself on the map by crushing 18 home runs in Cooperstown – and 73 home runs over the course of the season overall. It was met with skepticism by some in the Long Island baseball community, who questioned the accuracy of the information. Those same people are left with nothing to complain about after watching the performance of that same young player since that time. Aidan Bardi, now entering his junior year at Wantagh HS, recently announced his verbal commitment to the University of Maine. Bardi has been a no-brainer Division-I player in my eyes since I did that story on him and watched his aggressive swing and flawless mechanics. Bardi was one of the few freshman in Keith Sac...
Wantagh Returns Talented Roster Ready to Compete in Nassau A4
by Mike Anderson THEY HAVE DONE IT AGAIN. Wantagh completes the three-peat as Class A Long Island Champions! FINAL: Wantagh 4 Rocky Point 2 WP – Anthony Fontana (Complete Game) pic.twitter.com/9HcJj90Tin — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 2, 2018 One of the premier baseball programs on Long Island will look to have another great year, as Wantagh High School is ready to compete again. Last year’s team was 11-7 overall and 10-6 in league play, according to MaxPreps. Last season, their team started off 7-0, but was hurt at times by Covid-19 and finished the season losing to Bethpage. However, they were led by several solid players to help continue the program’s winning traditions in 2021. The players they have returning will give them a chance to keep it up this year as well. L...
