Carey extends winning streak

A year removed from a run to the Nassau County Class A semifinals, strong pitching and timely hitting have the young Carey baseball team off to another strong start in 2017. 

After the team’s 7-5 road victory over Jericho on April 13, the Seahawks won six straight games and stood alone atop Nassau Conference A-II with a record of 6-0. Senior Zach Dente’s clutch two-run single in the top of the seventh inning broke a 5-5 tie. Dente was 2-for-4 for the game. 

Senior center fielder Tyler DeMeo went 2-for-4 at the plate, had four stolen bases, and scored three times, and senior Mike Jones pitched four strong innings in relief to pick up the win as Carey swept the three-game series.

“The pitching has been consistent, but what I really like is the fact that we’re finding different ways to win,” head coach Mike Farina said. “Having to cancel scrimmages and postpone non-league games, due to the weather, made things tough. But it’s been a lot of fun thus far. There have been games that we’ve won by mashing the ball, and others where we’ve had to grind it out. I don’t think we’ve used the same lineup twice, because we’re still trying to figure things out. Guys have come through in big ways when they’ve been given opportunities.”

Dominic Rutigliano has been as good as advertised on the mound. The junior right-hander is 2-0 and has struck out 21 batters over 10 innings of work in league play. In Rutigliano’s 8-2 victory over Jericho, junior battery mate Vic DeNicola, who has been terrific behind the plate, Farina said, knocked in three runs. Sophomore Matt Cosgrove had three hits and a pair of RBI.

Jones has been Farina’s go-to guy out of the pen. He is thriving when called upon to get outs, which is typically at the game’s most pivotal moment. Jones came on to get the final five outs in a 1-0 shutout of New Hyde Park. Backup catcher Dan Pastore threw out a pair of would-be base stealers in a spot start. Senior Dan Conte went 4 2/3 innings to earn the victory.

A.J. Vincenzi put together a pair of terrific starts in wins over New Hyde Park and Jericho. In a 10-0 home victory over the latter, Vincenzi was superb, striking out 10 batters while not allowing a walk over five innings. Sophomore Kevin Bell and junior Christopher Tile each had three hits and three RBI for the Seahawks.

As expected, DeMeo has been solid at the plate and in the outfield. DeMeo, who leads the team with 10 stolen bases, has been a tough out at the top of Carey’s order. He’s also displayed some power, launching a grand slam in a 10-4 series-opening win at New Hyde Park. Senior Anthony Giacalone was 3-for-3 in the game.

Carey will welcome in district-rival Sewanhaka on Monday, April 24. Game time is 4:30 p.m.