Nassau Conference AA-II baseball preview

BALDWIN BRUINS

Coach: Frank Esposito

2015 record: 9-8

Key players

Jeffrey Dominguez, P/OF, 6-3, 185, Sr.

Brandon Hoskins, P/OF, 6-2, 180, Sr.

Fred Lucas, SS, 5-11, 180, Jr.

SEE PHOTOSBaseball players to watch in 2016

Conner Nelson, OF, 5-9, 175, Sr.

Michael Pereira, 2B, 5-8, 165, Sr.

Outlook: All five hit above .354, with Dominguez’s .480 average leading the way. Dominguez is a returning All-League player.

EAST MEADOW JETS

Coach: John Marciante

2015 record: 16-6

Key players

Zach Fritz, 3B, 6-1, 245, Sr.

Matthew Mascia, 1B/P, 6-3, 280, Sr.

Joe Minucci, OF/P, 165, Sr.

Ryan Wallstedt, P, 5-10, 185, Sr.

Frank Ippolito, 1B/OF, 6-0, 175, Sr.

Outlook: The defending conference champion returns the five aforementioned seniors, who will each start on varsity for the third or fourth year.

HERRICKS HIGHLANDERS

Coach: Rich Bizelia

2015 record: 9-9-1

Key players

Teddy Iovino, P/SS, 6-0, 180, Sr.

Zach Osieczkowski, P/OF, 6-0, 180, Sr.

Chris Grau, 2B, 5-11, 175, Sr.

Michael Miraglia, C, 5-10, 175, Sr.

Nick Mangia, OF, 5-9, 170, Sr.

Outlook: With a handful of returning starters, Herricks hopes to reach the postseason for the third straight year.

HICKSVILLE COMETS

Coach: Frank Ciaramitaro

2015 record: 5-14

Key players

Joe Sarni, SS/P, 5-9, 160, Jr.

Austin Mars, P, 5-9, 165, Jr.

Greg Power, OF, 5-11, 170, Sr.

Terrence Wong, P/OF, 5-10, 165, Jr.

JJ Bernet, OF/P, 5-10, 165, Jr.

Outlook: The Comets started seven sophomores last season. With more returning experience this year, they hope to compete for a playoff spot.

PLAINVIEW JFK HAWKS

Coach: John Givargidze

2015 record: 7-12

Key players

Jake Saltzman, OF, 5-11, 180, Sr.

Brian Maloney, SS/P, 6-2, 180, Sr.

Bryan Safer, 1B/DH, 6-1, 190, Sr.

Mark Faello, P/2B, 5-11, 165, Soph.

Matt Butigian, 2B/3B, 5-9, 175, Jr.

Outlook: Faello and classmate Tyler Marinaccio form a young 1-2 punch on the mound. Their success will be key, as the Hawks expect to field a productive lineup and sturdy defense.

PORT WASHINGTON VIKINGS

Coach: Matt Holzer

2015 record: 12-7

Key players

Dylan Livingston, P, 6-0, 175, Sr.

Robert Jester, 2B, 5-9, 160, Sr.

Ryan Delmonte, CF, 5-7, 155, Sr.

Robbie Marx, P, 5-11, 170, Sr.

Mikey Esposito, RF/P, 5-8, 155, Jr.

Outlook: Livingston, who posted a 5-1 record with a 1.35 ERA last year, will be bolstered on the mound by Marx and the additions of southpaws Esposito and Dexter Jarach.