Young Spartans in win column

Valley Stream North gave first-year varsity baseball coach Phil Sanfilippo his first conference victory April 7 when the offense pounded out 14 hits against Floral Park to back the pitching of sophomore Anthony Martelli.

Senior Anthony Cobucci went 4-for-4 and knocked in three runs, senior Nick Baratto smacked a two-run homer and Martelli helped his own cause with a pair of doubles to lead a 12-3 win in a Nassau Conference A-V/A-VI crossover game.

“It’s a win we needed,” said Sanfilippo, who took over for longtime coach Wally Bachman after guiding the JV team in 2010. “We had a rough couple of games against Island Trees, so this gets our confidence going again.”

The Spartans (3-2 overall), who peaked down the stretch last spring and reached the Nassau Class A semifinals, brought back just two full-time starters in Martelli and Baratto, but are rich in young talent and seeking a return to the playoffs. “We’re young, but we still want the future to be now,” said Sanfilippo, who is assisted by James Casella. “We’ve been able to put together a starting staff after losing three seniors, and we could be better offensively than last year. Our goal is to make the playoffs.”

Martelli, who played both corner infield positions as a freshman and also saw some innings on the mound, has won both of his starts so far and is swinging a hot bat with a .538 average through five games. On the mound, he features a fastball and knuckler. “He’s the most talented player on the team,” Sanfilippo said. “He has a huge bat and improved as a pitcher.”

Kevin White and Jeff Lantigua complete an all-sophomore rotation. White comes off a solid season at the JV level and has good command and smooth mechanics. He earned his first varsity win March 28 against West Hempstead. “Kevin made it obvious during scrimmages he belonged on the varsity roster,” Sanfilippo said. Lantigua, who plays third base on non-pitching days, transferred back to the district and can blow the ball by hitters. “Jeff has very good stuff and lots of potential,” the coach said.