Nassau Conference AA-I baseball preview
Oceanside starting pitcher Kyle Martin delivers against MacArthur in a Nassau Class AA baseball final on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
FARMINGDALE DALERS
Coach: Frank Tassielli
2015 record: 8-9
Key players
Angus McCloskey, P/1B, 6-3, 195, Jr.
James Boria, C, 5-9, 165, Sr.
Matt Fierst, OF, 5-10, 175, Jr.
Max Cohen, 2B/P, 5-9, 165, Sr.
Anthony Burriesci, CF, 5-9, 165, Jr.
Outlook: After making three appearances on the hill last year, McCloskey and his mid-80s fastball will slide into the No. 1 slot on the pitching staff.
FREEPORT RED DEVILS
Coach: Roberto Delgado
2015 record: 3-17
Key players
Justin Lake, 1B/P, 6-2, 200, Sr.
Antonio Diaz, C/3B, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Argenis Henriquez, IF, 6-0, 170, Jr.
Anthony Lamar, C, 6-0, 190, Soph.
Braylin Marine, IF, 6-0, 160, Soph.
Outlook: Lake’s .305 batting average is the best among the returnees. Lamar will enable Diaz to play some third base, bolstering both the lineup and defense.
MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS
Coach: Tom Sheedy
2015 record: 13-8
Key players
Chris Keenan, P, 6-4, 215, Sr.
Pat Clyne, P, 6-2, 195, Sr.
James Magaldi, P, 6-2, 220, Sr.
Kyle McLernon, CF, 5-8, 160, Sr.
Chris Wasson, SS, 6-1, 160, Jr.
Outlook: The Chiefs are deep, especially with Keenan, Clyne and Magaldi on the mound.
OCEANSIDE SAILORS
Coach: Mike Postilio
2015 record: 14-11-1
Key players
Kyle Martin, SS/P, 6-2, 195, Sr.
Nick Vlahakis, CF/P, 5-7, 165, Sr.
Dylan Judd, C/P, 6-1, 180, Soph.
Mike Pagona, 2B/P, 5-11, 165, Sr.
Max Jennings, P/1B, 6-2, 195, Jr.
Outlook: Martin, a two-time league MVP, hit .452 and went 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA last year, leading Oceanside into the county championship.
SYOSSET BRAVES
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
2015 record: 11-7
Key players
Joe Maracic, SS, 5-11, 160, Sr.
John Jaroslawski, 1B, 5-10, 175, Sr.
Skylar Graff, 2B/P, 5-7, 160, Sr.
Brett Stein, 3B, 5-7, 200, Sr.
Griffin Laine, P, 6-1, 170, Jr.
Outlook: A strong, experienced infield will back up a young pitching staff, led by Laine, Angelo Brucculeri, Jordan Rappaport and Jack Simon.
UNIONDALE KNIGHTS
Coach: Ciro Gentile
2015 record: 13-6
Key players
Ali Ghriaz, 3B/SS, 5-10, 185, Sr.
Jeffrey Peralta, P/SS, 6-0, 5-10, 195, Sr.
Nestor Berrios, P/IF, 5-9, 155, Sr.
Justin Cunningham, P/CF, 5-10, 145, Jr.
Andrew Escalera, C, 6-0, 205, Sr.
Outlook: Ghriaz, Peralta and Berrios were All-Conference players last year in Countywide. They combined for 76 RBIs.