2011 Preview: Sachem North Baseball

There are more seniors in Sachem North's lineup this year than any season in head coach Tom Gambino's seven-year tenure at the helm of the program.

Playoff appearances in each of the last two seasons, including a strong showing against second-seeded Longwood last year, should give Sachem confidence for a third consecutive trip to the post-season.

"When you have a lot of seniors, who sometimes can be complacent, it's our job as coaches to makesure that doesn't happen," Gambino said. "Sometimes they lose their focus, because it's the spring of their senior year and they feel like they've done everything. I dont feel like they've done anything yet. We'll see how it goes."

Head coach: Tom Gambino, 7th season (86-54-1)

2010 Record: Second place, League II (15-9 overall, 12-6 league)

Key Losses

• Dan D'Orazio: The First Team All-Sachem Patch selection hit .391 and had 34 hits, 18 RBI and a team-high seven doubles. On the mound, he was 6-2 with two saves a team-high 60 innings pitched and a 2.83 ERA.
• Matt Milone: Playing at University of Scranton.
• Mike Turo: Playing at Quinipiac University ... was the North recipient of the Tim Crowley Scholarship last season.

Pitching Staff: The ace of the staff and possibly one of the best pitchers on Long Island this season is senior Alec Sole, who is headed to Saint Louis University to play college ball next year. Last season he was 4-1 and earned one save. He's followed by Mike Vitale, who logged quality starts at the end of 2010, and Brian Hennelly, a lefty who will play ball at Steven's Tech. Look for junior Matt Cahill to see some innings and J.T. Kirk to pitch when needed.

Infield: Sole will play short when he's not on the mound. Mike Scarlato, a three-year starter at second base, has signed to play at Farmingdale State and is another leader in the infield. For now, the corner positions are open, but Vitale has played third base in the past and Nick Teta has played first. Gambino said Justin Carlo will have a role in the infield too.

Outfield: Hennelly will play center, a position he moonlighted in last year when D'Orazio pitched. Steve Kowalski will play right field again, while Tom Klingel will play left. 

Catcher: This is Brendan Garry's position. He is a three-year starter and one of the top players in Suffolk County in 2011. He hit .313 with a team-high 19 RBIs and 14 walks in 2010 and will attend Rochester for its outstanding accounting program. "He and Sole really worked hard in the off-season," Gambino said.

Players to Watch

• Alec Sole: Sr. RHP/SS ... A  selection and top 100 player to watch on Long Island according to Baseball Player Magazine, he had a team-high .439 average with 36 hits, 17 RBIs, 27 runs and 11 walks in 2010. He also had a team-high on-base percentage of .500.
• Brendan Garry: C .. A Second Team All-Sachem Patch selection last season and is also one of the top 100 players to watch on Long Island according to Baseball Player magazine.
• Mike Scarlato: 2B ... Anytime you have a three-year starter in the infield, it helps.

League II outlook/expectations: Defending New York State champion Lindenhurst is in League II and they're loaded again for another title run. Connetquot, a perennial contender, is also in League II. It won't be easy. "I don't talk about league titles or playoffs until after we get that 10th win," said Gambino, referring to the minimum number of wins needed to qualify for the Section XI playoffs. 

Key Games

• At home vs. Longwood, April 6 ... a rematch of the playoff game from 2010
• Lindenhurst series, April 18, 20, 23 ... battling the toughest team in the league
• Connetquot series, May 9, 10, 12 ... always intriguing to watch Sachem play the T-Birds in any sport
• Tim Crowley Tournament, May 7 ... Sachem North will play Sachem East in their annual tournament meant to honor a former Sachem player