Suffolk League IX baseball preview
1. PIERSON/BRIDGEHAMPTON WHALERS
Coach: Jonathan Tortorella
2013 record: 23-2
Key players
Aaron Schiavoni, C/1B, 6-1, 200, Sr.
Forrest Loesch, SS/P, 6-0, 185, Sr.
Tim Markowski, OF/1B/P, 5-11, 160, Sr.
Nick Kruel, 1B/P, 6-2, 175, Sr.
Kyle Sturmann, 2B, 5-8, 150, Sr.
Outlook: Class C champs are strong as ever with 10 returners and deep pitching.
2. SMITHTOWN CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS
Coach: Craig Gorton
2013 record: 17-5
Key players
Timmy Gorton, C, 5-11, 190, Sr.
Jack DiNozzi, P, 6-1, 230, Sr.
Ronny Linsalato, SS, 5-8, 170, Jr.
Kyle Straker, RF, 5-7, 160, Sr.
Vinny Ciaravino, 2B, 5-7, 150, Jr.
Outlook: Strong pitching behind DiNozzi and St. Mary's transfer Jack Palma.
Coach: Mike Carver
2013 record: 10-8
Key players
Anthony Fedele, P/C, 5-9, 170, Sr.
Robert Mahoney, P/SS, 5-8, 130, Sr.
Alex Poliwoda, P/3B, 5-11, 190, Jr.
Shane Johnson, CF, 5-11, 150, Jr.
Noah Mina, SS/2B, 5-7, 130, So.
Outlook: Mahoney and Poliwoda provide enviable depth in the rotation.
Coach: Chris Golden
2013 record: 5-15
Key players
Christian Angelson, C, 5-10, 170, Sr.
John Drinkwater, P/1B, 5-11, 185, Jr.
Matt Drinkwater, P/3B, 5-11, 185, Jr.
Austin Hooks, P/1B, 6-2, 180, Sr.
Brian Tuttle, SS, 5-11, 175, Sr.
Outlook: Improved, thanks to a group of three-year starters.
Coach: Kyle Cavanaugh
2013 record: 4-16
Key players
Bryce Jackson, P/2B/IF, 6-5, 210, Sr.
Tyler Hoegsberg, P/SS/2B, 6-3, 180, Sr.
Ben Walter, CF/P, 5-10, 175, Jr.
Erik Holvik, SS/P, 5-9, 160, Jr.
Rob Sparacio, 3B/P, 5-9, 175, So.
Outlook: The Bears continue to develop behind Jackson and Hoegsberg.
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
