Offensive rise propels Valley Stream Central

Valley Stream Central baseball coach Paul Klimuszko is seeking a sweet swan song and so far it’s going better than expected. 

After 30-plus years of coaching baseball, the last five at Valley Stream Central, Klimuszko, known to his players as “Coach K’’, is retiring as a physical education teacher. 

This year, Valley Stream Central went down in ranks to the Countywide I that restricts entrants from being in the playoffs.  

However, the Countywide regular-season crown is in sight. Central is off to a 11-0 start (11-1 overall) and faces also-unbeaten Malverne in a three-game set this week. 

Klimuszko said he ‘absolutely” hopes to go out with a crown and adds, “ Not even for me — more for the kids and nine seniors who’ve been with me for many years. They are looking forward to the Malverne series.’’

Last season’s squad suffered through an unsightly 0-16 record (1-16 overall) in AA2, leading to the conference switch. VSC lost five seniors from that group – none bigger than Roy Longarzo, who hit .512 and now is starting centerfielder for Baruch College.

“We really struggled last year,’’ Klimuszko said. “Based on our record and the game we played, we applied for countywide to give us a year of relief.’’

Poof, the Eagles have turned into an offensive juggernaut. Last season, Valley Stream Central’s team batting average was .192. The batting clip has shot up to .305 in 2023 boasted by its nine seniors. 

The Eagles are averaging 11.6 runs per game but Coach K still notes his deep pitching staff as its core.

“Pitching is the strength - a notch above,’’ Klimuszko said. “We’re performing really well.’’

The four-man rotation is led by senior Ryan Foerst, who throws in the low 80’s and owns an excellent breaking ball. Foerst, who has a 2-1 record, is also the leading hitter at .545 with two home runs. 

The most successful starter record-wise is Zion Phillips, a sophomore with a perfect 4-0 record entering the Malverne series. “Zion is a sophomore so doesn’t have the velocity that Ryan has,’’ Coach K said. “He definitely spots pitches well and locates his fastball. Ryan, as a senior, has more velocity.’’

Slowed by an early-season arm injury, Steve Kolm Jr. is now back as third starter. Senior Andrew Cohen picked up the slack as the third hurler during Kolm’s absence, as has junior Leon Roopnarine.

That gives the coach pitchers – all right-handers – that he feels confident in placing on the mound.

Valley Stream Central has hitters throughout the lineup.

Senior Jayden Rivera, the clean-up hitter., is batting .458 with two homers and 19 RBI in 11 games. Kolm is at .464 with his 13 hits leading the club – a line-driver hitter who finds the gaps. And then there’s Rooopnarine, who is clicking at .458.

The new coach will decide whether the Eagles return to a higher conference net season. Its lone loss came in a non-league match against rival Valley Stream North, where, ironically, Klimuszko serves as a teacher. 

But otherwise Coach K’s final season has come up roses.