Saturday, May 17, 2025
Now in his seventh season as coach of the Amityville baseball team, Jack Zider isn’t chasing wins as the ultimate measure of success. For him, it’s all about growth, one pitch, one play, one inning at a time.
“The expectation is not about winning,” Zider said. “We want the kids to get better and better, put small plays together, and build one play on top of another. We don’t make the game about winning. It’s just about making the play.”
That mindset has shaped a tight-knit, hardworking team fueled by strong leadership. At the heart of it all is senior catcher Jeremiah Luciano, a cornerstone of the program since seventh grade. Luciano, who also played quarterback for the football team, came through on April 24 with a clutch two-run double in a 12-5 win over Smithtown Christian. “He’s such a great kid,” said ZIder. “He leads by example with his versatility. He can play every position on the field.”
Another senior standout is co-captain and outfielder Armando Castillo Hernandez, a player whose journey back from injury has been both inspiring and impactful. “He’s a tremendous leader,” Zider said. “He’s worked so hard to be a part of this season and the team really looks up to him.”
Junior shortstop Aidan McCullough adds consistency and sharp defensive instincts to the roster, while other talented juniors have brought depth and energy to the squad. Players like first baseman Ewerson Borges and center fielder Darell Sanchez have emerged as key contributors. “They are huge pieces to the puzzle,” said Zider.
One of the most exciting returnees has been junior first baseman and pitcher Alex Waye, who played for Amityville in middle school before transferring to Holy Trinity. Now back with the Warriors, Waye has taken on a huge role. “Alex is really the on-field general when he’s out there,” Zider said. “His return has been a major boost to both the guys’ morale and performance.” Waye delivered a dominant performance in his first start on the mound, allowing just one hit in a 13-2 victory over Hampton Bays on April 14.
Behind the scenes, the foundation is being built for the future. A promising group of freshmen, though primarily playing on JV, have had the opportunity to experience the varsity level when possible. “It’s great for them to get a taste at this level,” Zider said. “They are all so eager to come up here and make an impact.”
After starting the season 3-0, thanks to a three game series sweep of Hampton Bays, the Warriors have kept a solid pace, remaining three above .500 at 5-2 and towards the top of the League VIII standings.
Most of the Zider’s roster features multi-sport athletes, with several running track and field in the offseason to improve speed and conditioning. “You can tell how badly they want to be successful,” said Zider. “With that said, they do a great job of staying loose and having fun.
“We’ve had a lot of quiet bus rides over the years,” he added. “But last week, they were singing and having a great time. Seeing them enjoy each other and seeing the support from the community, that means everything.”
