Senior trio to lead Falcons

After losing seven one-run games on the diamond in 2009 and dropping a 6-5 decision in this year’s non-league opener, Valley Stream South experienced a close victory last Saturday when it beat Long Beach, 2-1.

“We still want to get the bats talking, but it’s good to get a win,” Falcons coach Ken Ward said after junior catcher Rob Oliver manufactured the winning run in the top of the fifth inning with a walk and stolen base. 

“I firmly believe we’ll go as far as the seniors take us,” he added. “They’re working hard. It’s their last shot to do something special.”

One of South’s three seniors, pitcher/outfielder Terence Meaney, threw a complete-game, one-hitter at Long Beach. He needed 96 pitches to get the job done and walked three in the process. “You like to see that kind of performance early in the season,” Ward said. “Terence has a good fastball and an effective change-up. He was aggressive and pounded the strike zone.”

Senior pitcher/shortstop Eric Gulabchano had a solid outing in the season-opening defeat to Valley Stream Central at Firemen’s Field. He retired 13 batters and gave up only one earned run. “Eric’s consistent in every phase of the game,” Ward said. “He’s our best all-around hitter coming into the season and someone who makes all the plays in the field.” Gulabchano batted .320 last spring and rarely goes down on strikes.

Senior, John Donnelly is the ace of the pitching staff and a starting outfielder on off days. He picked up a pair of wins on the mound a year ago and had a respectable 3.54 ERA. “John should have a nice year,” Ward said of the Adelphi-bound Donnelly. “He’s a polished pitcher who relies on location. Hopefully we get him more offensive support than we did last year.”

The senior trio will hit 2-3-4 in the lineup, with Meaney slated in the clean-up spot. “They’ve got to carry much of the load,” Ward said.

Juniors Anthony Romano and Andrew Deckel and sophomore Dan Goldman will also see work on the mound. Romano, who got a taste of varsity ball a year ago, also brings pop to the lineup and a reliable glove to first base. Deckel served as the JV team’s top arm in 2009, while Goldman performed well on the mound and in the outfield.

The infield defense features junior Ryan Flynn at third base (and shortstop when Gulabchano pitches) and freshman Andrew Hess at second. Junior Ryan Scrietta can handle the hot corner and could give Oliver a breather behind the plate.

The Falcons are the top-seeded team in Class A/League III, followed by Roslyn, Great Neck North, Sewanhaka, Lawrence, Elmont, Westbury and Roosevelt. All teams will play a home-and-home series.

“If we take care of business, we’ll be in the running for the conference title,” Ward said.