Oceanside has tough road to playoffs

Oceanside is looking to get back to its successful ways on the baseball diamond following a bumpy 2021 campaign that still included a playoff victory over a Farmingdale team that swept three games from the Sailors during the regular season.

“We still have a young group but it’s a team that can get better every day and compete for a playoff spot,” Oceanside coach Mike Postilio said. “Squeaking into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season last year, beating Farmingdale and getting to face Massapequa in the semifinals was a good experience for these guys. I’m looking for the growing pains to pay off.”

If the Sailors are going to qualify for the postseason, they’ll need to finish no worse than fourth in the six-team Conference AA-I. They’ll face Farmingdale, Freeport, Syosset, Port Washington and defending Nassau Class AA champion Massapequa three times apiece.

“It’s a tough conference and we have to be as consistent as possible,” Postilio said.

Oceanside’s starting pitching rotation is unproven but experienced at the varsity level. Senior southpaw George LaRosa is a captain and at the top of the rotation. He’s a returning starter who also appeared in relief last spring. “We’re going to be relying on George to have a big year,” Postilio said.

Juniors Peter Davies and Mike Furst are also part of the staff and will start at the corner infield spots when they’re not on the mound. Both are right-handers. Davies had a solid first four innings April 12 in a loss at Farmingdale and features three pitches he commands well, Postilio said. Davies plays first base when LaRosa and Furst throw. “Peter has an above average fastball and two other pitches he throws for strikes,” the coach said. “He got valuable experience last season and he’s also a good hitter who uses the whole field.”

Furst, who works the hot corner twice to start each series, has good size and is a fierce competitor, Postilio said. Furst saw some relief work last season and performed admirably.

Handling the staff is senior catcher Justin Delgado, a captain who can do anything but pitch. He’s played second base and outfield during his high school career. “He’s a leader on and off the field and does a really nice job behind the plate,” Postilio said. Delgado is also a key to the offense as the No. 3 hitter. Junior Ryan McFall is the projected starting catcher in 2023 and serving as the designated hitter this spring.

Senior Kevin Klein anchors the outfield in center and can bat anywhere from second to sixth, Postilio said. Klein, who will play at the next level at Siena, homered in Oceanside’s 9-8 win over Baldwin in the season opener. Senior Dennis Chaisson and freshmen Luke Villella and Kyle Scheurer have all made outfield starts in the early going.

Junior shortstop Jack Schulz is a smooth fielder and in the mix to bat leadoff and pitch in relief. Sophomores Sean Varon (second base) and Jake Lunenfeld (first base) are also bullpen options.