Kings of the hill: Long Island's best pitchers for 2024 season
Jace Alvino of West Babylon reacts during a state semifinal against Columbia on June 9, 2023, at Vestal, N.Y. Credit: Jorge Marcano
JACE ALVINO, WEST BABYLON, SR.
He was promoted to the varsity in the eighth grade and has been the workhorse of the Eagles' pitching staff the past three years. A second-team Newsday All-Long Island selection, he led West Babylon to the Long Island Class A title with a 4-2 win over Division by throwing a five-hitter with six strikeouts. He is a resilient power pitcher who is ultra-competitive by nature and will have a huge impact in his final season.
Gabriel Beschloss, Garden City pitcher, delivers to the plate during a Nassau Conference A-II baseball game against South Side at Garden City on May 8, 2023. Credit: James Escher
GABE BESCHLOSS, GARDEN CITY, SR.
Beschloss will be Garden City’s ace for the second straight season. The hard-throwing southpaw has a three-pitch mix and was voted by his teammates as one of the Trojans’ three captains. “He’s got tools that you can’t really teach,” coach Dave Izzo said.
West Islip's Evan Byrnes releases from the stretch during the Suffolk Conference I loser's bracket final against Lindenhurst at West Islip on May 22, 2023. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
EVAN BYRNES, WEST ISLIP, JR.
Byrnes is a fastball-heavy pitcher who thrives locating his spots and missing barrels. He has a low-to-mid 80s fastball and leans on his mechanics. Coach Shawn Rush said Byrnes is always smiling and, outside of baseball, is “super passionate” about engineering.
Kings Park pitcher Hunter Colagrande poses on Wednesday at Mt. Sinai. Credit: George A Faella
HUNTER COLAGRANDE, KINGS PARK, SR.
Colagrande has a dominant high-80s fastball, a breaking ball and a recently added cutter in his arsenal. The team captain enters his second full varsity season after an elbow injury derailed his sophomore year. “That injury was something that kickstarted his work ethic to a whole different level,” coach Andrew Abreu said.
Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK pitcher Michael D'Ambrosio closes out the inning during Game 1 of the Nassau Class AA baseball championship against Massapequa at Farmingdale State College. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
MIKE D’AMBROSIO, PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE JFK, SR.
D'Ambrosio struck out 83 in 52 2/3 innings with an 8-1 record. He earned the Nassau Conference AA-2 pitcher of the year and was named to the Newsday All-Long Island first team. He earned the win in the Hawks' season opener with six strikeouts in five innings.
St. Dominic pitcher Victor Frederick. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
VICTOR FREDERICK, ST. DOMINIC, SR.
Coach Joe Fusco called Frederick Long Island’s “next big-time pitcher with major-league aspirations”. The Newsday All-Long Island first-team selection was 7-1 with 72 strikeouts as a junior. He earned Newsday’s NSCHSAA pitcher of the year.
Miller Place baseball player Nick Frusco on Wednesday at Miller Place. Credit: Bob Sorensen
NICK FRUSCO, MILLER PLACE, JR.
He led Long Island in strikeouts with 93 last season, and that was as a sophomore. He’s a big-time Division I lefthanded prospect. The Panthers will look to Frusco to lead them to a league title. He opened the season with a one hit, 10-strikeout performance over four innings in a Miller Place win.
Evan Kay, Commack pitcher, delivers to the plate during the top of the fourth inning in the Long Island Class AA championship against Massapequa at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue on June 3, 2023. Credit: James Escher
EVAN KAY, COMMACK, SR.
How many guys in the history of Long Island baseball can say they threw four consecutive shutouts in the playoffs? Kay had a 28-inning scoreless streak and finished the season with a 5-0 record, including a two-hit shutout in the state semifinals. “He pitches to a quick tempo and pounds the zone,” Commack coach Matt Salmon said. “He pitches with an edge, a fierce competitor.”
Matt Marino of Division throws to the mound during the Nassau Class A baseball finals on May 29, 2023 at Farmingdale State College. Credit: Dawn McCormick
MATT MARINO, DIVISION, SR.
Marino features a plus changeup, a heavy fastball and a curveball. He threw a three-hitter to help Division secure the 2023 Nassau Class A title. Coach Tom Tuttle said Marino’s competitiveness makes him more efficient in high-leverage situations. “There’s no moment too big for him,” Tuttle said.
Hauppauge baseball player Matt Neglia warms up his arm before a game against host Rocky Point on Tuesday. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
MATT NEGLIA, HAUPPAUGE, SR.
Neglia is the Eagles’ ace and features a three-pitch mix — fastball, changeup and curveball — that he is comfortable with in any count. Coach Josh Gutes said Neglia, who walked just 13 batters last year, is the “total package for us” and “not afraid of any hitters.”
