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.
Brush fire at Lakeland Park ... Offshore wind projects cancelled ... Pitbull at Jones Beach ... Jericho H.S. ranks top
Brush fire at Lakeland Park ... Offshore wind projects cancelled ... Pitbull at Jones Beach ... Jericho H.S. ranks top
