Tough schedule awaits Hewlett

After injuries and inconsistency proved too much for Hewlett to overcome in its bid for a Nassau Class A baseball playoff berth last spring, second-year coach Andrew DeBernardo was encouraged by the Bulldogs’ 5-4 non-league loss to Plainedge in last Saturday’s 2011 opener.

“I’m not big on moral victories, but I’m very pleased with how we competed against a topnotch opponent,” DeBernardo said. “We’ve got a tough schedule to tackle, but we can be competitive and make a run for the playoffs. It was disappointing to miss out last year.”

Senior pitcher Spencer Prusak, who had two wins a year ago before missing the final third of the season due to injury, started the opener and struck out 10. “Spencer took on a very strong lineup and held his own,” DeBernardo said. “All of his pitches are above average. When he’s on, he’s tough to hit. Most of the time, he’ll match up against the opponent’s No. 1.” 

All but one of Hewlett’s four runs came on a homer. Freshman Zack Benaharon cracked a two-run blast and junior Brandon Martinez hit a solo shot. Senior Jake Miller drove in the other run with a single.

Benaharon appears set to follow Prusak in the starting rotation. “Zack is big and strong with smooth mechanics,” DeBernardo said. “Talent-wise, he belongs. How well he does as a freshman will come down to how he handles the jump from the middle school level to
varsity.”

Sophomore Luchiano Morello and junior Eddie Zaloba remain in the mix to be the No. 3 starter. Morello, up from JV, is working to improve his location, and if he gets the nod Zaloba will be first out of the bullpen.

The staff is in good hands with senior catcher Alex Bernstein in his fourth season behind the plate. The health of Bernstein, who has battled injuries throughout his high school career, is crucial to the team’s success, DeBernadro said. “Alex is a true leader and we need him on the field as much as possible,” DeBernardo said. “He’s our No. 3 batter, and he controls the staff and the infield.”