April 5 was the pinnacle of the season.
That was the day that John Glenn pulled off a huge upset of Shoreham-Wading River by the score of 7-3 behind starting pitcher Joe Muchnicki. It wound up being the last loss of the season for the Wildcats until the Long Island Championship, who rolled off 20 consecutive wins behind a dynamic offense and the two-time Carl Yastrzemski Award winner.
“The guys were literally jumping out of their skin,” said second year Head Coach Matt Rocchio. “The build up was that they were unbeatable. Muchnicki was able to command his offspeed pitches–his curveball for strike one and his change up kept them off balance,” he added. That outing immediately followed his no-hitter in his season debut against Miller Place in his varsity debut. Not a bad way to start his season.
Unfortunately, they were not able to ride the momentum. They finished the season with nine wins, falling just short of a postseason appearance.
“Walking off the field against Bayport-Blue Point was tough knowing we were out,” said Rocchio. They had felt that it was their season to make a postseason run with 11 seniors, including an ace in Muchnicki, a true leader in catcher Jack Ryan and an emerging ace in Matt Polestino.
“Jack was our leader, our guy,” said Rocchio. “We have to fill that void, whether it’s with one or two guys. He was the catalyst–he pumped the guys up, and he cooled the guys down.” Jack had a great career and has continued his playing career at Adelphi University.
They also graduated their No. 1 through 5 hitters in the lineup–four of those being All-League players.
Fortunately, they are returning the hard-throwing southpaw Polestino. He is a member of the ultra-talented Body Armor 2020 travel team which includes other elite players in his class such as Johnny Castagnozzi, Kevin Bowrosen, Brock Murtha, Ryan Levenberg, etc.
“In his varsity debut as a ninth grader we put him him in with the bases loaded of the 7th inning with a 4-4 tie against Bayport-Blue Point,” said Rocchio. I have a lot of confidence in him. We threw a lot at him, but he likes the pressure. He will be our ace.” He also fired a no-hitter against East Hampton on April 24.
I watched him pitch at Prep Baseball Report’s LI Showcase two weeks ago and he sat 78-79 MPH and touched 80 MPH with great movement and command. Keep in mind he is only a sophomore, but certainly appears like a legitimate ace already. He will also play center field when he’s not pitching, and “the goal is for him to bat leadoff”.
He be joined in the rotation by Michael Dimitri, a three-year varsity starter and Chris Spalding, whom Rocchio described as a “crafty lefty”.
The offense will be counting on Dan Corrazotta, a senior and three-year varsity starter who will play SS this year. Rocchio was pleased with his ability to get on base. Another key piece will be Aiden Desmond, who recorded a game-winning hit against BBP last season.
They are motivated by last year’s premature ending.
“I always talk to the guys about that.”
They will also be in League 8 this season, after competing in League 7 last year, which should provide a boost for them. They will be opening up against Southampton, a playoff team from last year but graduated League MVP Chad Pike and leading hitter Devon O’Brien.
