Suffolk League II baseball preview
Connetquot RF Marc Wangenstein, right, gets congratulated by teammates Dave Brehm, left, and Brandon Morse after connecting for his second home run of the game in the top of the fourth inning of a Suffolk County League II varsity baseball game versus host Northport on April 1, 2014. Credit: James Escher
BAY SHORE MARAUDERS
Coach: Mike Herbst
2015 Record: 11-11
Key players
Brian Weissert, SS/P, 6-1, 175, Sr.
Hermes Abreu, C, 5-10, 205, Jr.
Kevin Otto, OF/P, 6-0, 170, Sr.
Chris LaRose, 1B, 6-0, 190, Sr.
Joe Chionchio, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Outlook: A combination of some of Suffolk’s top talent should make Bay Shore a contender. Weissert, Abreu, Otto and LaRose were All-League last season.
CENTRAL ISLIP MUSKETEERS
Coach: David Rivera
2015 Record: 1-19
Key players
Daniel Hennie, SS/P, 5-9, 165, Sr.
Ryan Reteguiz, SS/OF, 5-9, 175, Jr.
Raphael Malcolm, C, 5-7, 175, Jr.
Gabriel Rodriguez, C/3B, 5-8, 160, Jr.
Kevin Gaussaint, 1B, 5-9, 165, Sr.
Outlook: With a deeper pitching staff and underclassmen Anthony Falco and Anthony Redon, the Musketeers are expected to have a more successful season.
CONNETQUOT THUNDERBIRDS
Coach: Bob Ambrosini
2015 Record: 24-5
Key players
Marc Wangenstein, CF, 6-3, 210, Sr.
Tom Monti, P/OF, 6-2, 195, Sr.
Chris Ryan, P/OF, 6-0, 185, Jr.
Alex Clark, OF/P, 5-11, 185, Sr.
Christian Nissen, SS/P, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Outlook: The defending Long Island Class AA champions graduated 17 players. Righty Tom Monti, the winning pitcher in the LI title game, and three-year starter Marc Wangenstein, who batted .390 with four homers as a junior, are back.
LINDENHURST BULLDOGS
Coach: Rob Moore
2015 Record: 8-12
Key players
John McCaffrey, 1B, 6-2, 200, Sr.
Austin Perri, OF, 5-10, 170, Jr.
Mike Napoleon, P, 5-10, 165, Jr.
Mike Newman, C, 5-10, 175, Jr.
J.T. Mendoza, IF, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Outlook: McCaffrey and Perri are both three-year starters who will provide solid leadership. Pitching is a question mark, but the Bulldogs are playoff contenders.
NORTHPORT TIGERS
Coach: John De Martini
2015 Record: 11-10
Key players
Joe Stockman, SS/P, 6-2, 165, Sr.
Nick Palmerini, P, 5-11, 150, Sr.
Brian Herrmann, P, 6-5, 165, Sr.
Frank Stola, CF, 6-0, 190, Jr.
George Sutherland, 2B, 6-0, 166, Jr.
Outlook: Deep pitching, good speed and solid defense will keep Northport very competitive. Palmerini posted a 2.18 ERA last season and threw a three-hit shutout against Connetquot.
SACHEM NORTH FLAMING ARROWS
Coach: Tom Gambino
2015 Record: 9-11
Key players
Jake Sciarrotta, C, 5-10, 180, Sr.
Andrew Grieve, OF, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Alex DeLuca, SS/P, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Chris Lollo, P/1B, 5-10, 175, Jr.
Troy Kohn, P/MI, 5-9, 175, Sr.
Outlook: After missing the playoffs by just a game last season, the Flaming Arrows are looking to get back to the postseason despite little pitching experience.
WHITMAN WILDCATS
Coach: Keith Barrett
2015 Record: 3-17
Key players
Josh Gerson, P, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Jeremy Dalimonte, P/1B, 5-11, 195, Sr.
J.T. Cullen, OF, 6-0, 190, Jr.
Chris Corbett, 2B, 5-8, 160, Jr.
Justin Grose, OF, 5-10, 155, Jr.
Outlook: The Wildcats have mostly first-year varsity players, making this a rebuilding year of sorts. Barrett’s hope is to make the playoffs in 2017. Gerson and Dalimonte will provide senior leadership and innings on the mound.
Funeral for slain CVS worker ... Nurse strike looming ... Town hikes summer fees ... Activist network eyes ICE
Funeral for slain CVS worker ... Nurse strike looming ... Town hikes summer fees ... Activist network eyes ICE
