Top 10 Long Island baseball teams heading in 2022

1. CHAMINADE

The Flyers have 15 college commits, including eight in D-1. The two-time defending NSCHSAA champs return their top three starters — John Downing (Seton Hall, 4-0, 1.33 ERA), Matt Brandt (3-1, 1.03) and JJ Gatti (Dayton, 3-1, 2.55). Nolan Nawrocki (Michigan), Brady Steinert (Marist), Michael Sweeney (Hofstra), Brandt, Brian Heckelman (Towson), Nick Ungania (Binghamton) and Matthew Dieguez (Fordham) are some of the hitters to watch. 

2. COMMACK

The Cougars, who won the Long Island Conference I title, have pitching, defense up the middle and the bats, led by junior shortstop and VCU commit Chris McHugh. Then there are Connor Schramm, Matt McGurk, Anthony Chiappetta and Nick Gnardellis, all D-I commits who hit at least .300 in 2021. Eric Mohr and Joey Patane will anchor the pitching staff.  

3. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

The Cougars fell in the NSCHSAA semis, 2-1, to Chaminade. Pitcher/outfielder Kyle Chase (St. John’s commit) will be at the forefront for another run. The senior righthander owned a 0.21 ERA and was the league’s pitcher of the year. He also hit .306 and stole 16 bases. Other key returners in the lineup include Aedan Forde, Jason Campo, Nick Petrelli and Christian Alicea.

4. KELLENBERG

The Firebirds have 17 players back after losing in the NSCHSAA finals. The rotation and lineup look formidable. Junior righthander/third baseman Andrew Koshy (Wake Forest commit) posted a 1.20 ERA. Brendan McCann (1.40/.306 BA), Steven Hardiman (2.08) and John Kwiatkowski (.333) are also impressive returnees.  

5. ROCKY POINT

The Eagles have 12 seniors back from a 16-2 team. There are four top talents on the roster — Cody Miller (East Tennessee State commit, .375/3.10), Sean Hamilton (Hofstra, .450, 20 RBIs/4-0, 1.26), Dom Carbone (.463, 25 RBIs/4-1, 2.60) and Nic Benhardt (Central Connecticut, 5-0, 1.26).

6. MASSAPEQUA

The team won the Nassau I title and finished 18-3. Rightfielder/righthander Mike Vilardi is the only starter back from its LIC game loss. But don’t write off Tom Sheedy’s program. Righthander Matt Hannon (Hofstra), first baseman/lefthander Erik Paulsen (Stony Brook) and catcher Paul Dulanto are also among the returnees expected to have an impact.

7. MOUNT SINAI

The Mustangs went 19-2 and claimed the program’s first Long Island crown. The primary starters are all D-I commits — Chris Batuyious (St. John’s, 8-0, 0.98 ERA), JT Caruso (Miami, 0.00 ERA/.452 BA, 24 RBIs) and Max Reichenbach (George Washington, 6-0, 2.29 ERA). Like Batuyious, corner infielders Matt Galli and Kyle Salvati throw 90-plus and will likely close. Seniors LJ Bohne (.377) and Matt Carrera (.339) also return.

8. CALHOUN

The Colts were 15-1 in the regular season and lost in the Nassau II finals. Coach Art Canestro believes his pitching has improved with experience. Matt Kalfus (4-0, 1.20 ERA) and Brian Chin (2.10 ERA) are the top two. Joe Goodman batted .550 in 20 at-bats as a freshman. Jordan Babbo (.425) and Ryan Pucella (.375) can also hit.  

9. ISLAND TREES

The Bulldogs took the Nassau V championship, then lost only three seniors from that 17-4 team. Vinny Giambona (6-1, 1.96 ERA) was the conference’s pitcher of the year. Connor Waiting (.396, 1.068 OPS) was the conference’s playoff MVP. Two other key returnees are Antonio Ducatelli (.370, four homers, 20 RBIs) and Jonathan Uzzo (.292, 10 steals).

10. BETHPAGE

The Golden Eagles went 19-1 and won the program’s first Nassau title since 1983. Conor Burns (4-0, 1.67/.409, 14 RBIs, 16 steals) tops the returnee list. Righthander Joe Lynn and catcher Chris Downes are also important elements. Coach Rob Fisher loves senior outfielder Danny Skupinsky’s attitude and how it fosters team chemistry. Ten promising juniors are also up from the JV.