MacArthur fighting for title

Paced largely by six wins from senior ace Adam Heidenfelder, MacArthur finds itself atop the conference baseball standings in early May with aspirations to extend the season into June.

After taking two of three games from East Meadow last week, the Generals entered the final regular-season series against Plainview-JFK jockeying for the Nassau County Conference AA-II title and a first-round bye. Both MacArthur and Plainview, which were slated for three-game set from May 5-7 after press time, were 10-2 in the league entering the week.

“They have put themselves in a great spot,” MacArthur baseball head coach Steve Costello said. “It has been an enjoyable season.”

Heidenfelder is 6-0 on the season a year after going 6-1 with a 0.93 ERA and winning the Diamond Award in 2013 for the top pitcher in Nassau County. The 6-5 240 pound Wantagh resident, who has committed to play on the collegiate level at nearby Hofstra next year, recorded 11 strikeouts in six scoreless innings during a 9-3 win against Baldwin on April 11. 

“Every first game of the week you take the mound feeling you have a great chance to win,” said Costello of his No. 1 pitcher. “He is extremely talented.” 

Also helping to bolster MacArthur’s pitching staff with Heidenfelder are starters Carmine Criscione and Nick Mannarino. Criscione allowed just one earned run with seven strikeouts in a 3-2 win against East Meadow last Thursday while Mannarino tossed a complete-game three-hitter on April 22 versus Valley Stream Central. 

Costello has other arms he can turn to in bullpen including relievers Jack Wall and Rob Andreoli, who is also starting shortstop and one of MacArthur’s top hitters. Andreoli earned a save in the May 1 victory while also going 2-for-4 at the plate.

“Our pitchers have done a great job,” Costello said. 

Helping to manage MacArthur’s pitchers is catcher Vin Martino. The Seaford resident also contributes offensively and has hit the team’s lone home run this season. 

Another big bat for MacArthur is senior first baseman Paul DeMartino, who knocked in three runs including on a 2-for-4 day at the plate during the April 11 victory against Baldwin. Other key hitters include third baseman Tom Melendez, center fielder Brandon Kustek, second baseman Brian Perez, utility infielder/outfielder Kevin Curtis (game-winning RBI on April 28) and right fielder Carlo Farrugia. “A lot of kids have contributed offensively,” Cosello said. “Different players have been stepping up each game.” 

MacArthur is coming off two county finals appearances in a row, and reaching that stage again with a championship at the end has been a major focus. Costello said Class AA is wide open this season and expects Mepham, Hicksville, Massapequa, East Meadow and Plainview to be among the teams in contention. The playoffs get underway with first-round games this Saturday.

“There are six to eight teams that could win it and nobody would be surprised,” he said. “This is a year where literally anybody can beat anybody.”