by Andres Rivas
For the first time in 51 years, Bellport captured a league title, albeit co-league champs with West Islip and Deer Park.
A year later, they are without some of those impact players such as Joseph Greco, Matthew Mulligan, Adam Colon and Michael Sangiamo. Fortunately, they are returning 10 of their players from last season including Southern New Hampshire-commit Ryan Baumann, LHP Anthony Jacabacci, Muhlenberg-commit Trevor Virno, Will Romano, Andrew Veit, among others.
They also have added first-year players Thomas Alloca, Carson Nagle, Josh Wilson, Maxwell Kaczmarek, Samuel Hampson, Christopher Colon, Dimitri Arresto, Maximmo D’Giacomo and Brandon Bermudez. Lastly they will count on sophomore Matthew Vasquez, who got the big call after showing his ability behind the plate.
Bellport last year played in League 4 with Deer Park, Centereach, North Babylon, West Islip and Huntington. With all the experienced talent surrounding the team, everyone expected them to put an end to that drought and they made it happen. It was a 3-2 victory vs Centereach that clinched a share of the league title
This year, they will be in League 5 with West Babylon, Comsewogue, Deer Park, Half Hollows Hills West & Eastport South-Manor. Deer Park is a familiar foe, they were league champions last year with the Clippers and West Islip as well. Eastport-South Manor finished with a 12-8 record, Comsewogue with a 5-13 record, West Babylon with a 7-13 record and Hills West with a 9-11 record–although they have typically been a perennial playoff team.
“It’s crazy, it all went by so quick but looking forward to making it the best one yet” says Jacabacci, who is in his fourth and last year of varsity.
“We have to keep our bats consistent and the arms to get us where we need to be as long as the offense can keep up” said Trevor Virno.
Bellport will have a few scrimmages with William Floyd, Riverhead, Brentwood and North Babylon before their first game.
“We need to play smart baseball and drive in runs when we have the opportunity to,” said Baumann. Last year the Clippers drove in 122 runs, they have the talent and artillery to repeat those numbers and possibly surpass it.
“Every practice we give 110%. We all know how it felt to finally bring a league title back to Bellport for the first time in 51 years and we want that feeling again. We’re hungry and determined” concludes Kane.
