By Michael Malaszczyk
CALHOUN IS HEADING TO THE NASSAU CONFERENCE II FINALS pic.twitter.com/Ezs8uDbiDv
Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 14, 2021
Coach Art Canestro of Calhoun High School is getting right down to business this year.
Calhoun had a very strong season in 2021, finishing with a 17-4 record (15-1 regular season). They came just short of glory when they lost to Garden City in the County Championship. Canestro, while critical of how this occurred, is staying positive about this experience and is striving to overturn that result this year.
Last year we had a ton of kids that could fill up the strike zone and get outs, said Canestro. This year we virtually return everyone now with experience. Our pitching is going to be much better.
Despite this positivity about the upcoming season, Canestro is determined to never settle for anything less than first place. When asked if he was happy how last season went, Canestros answer was simple and straightforward: No.
There is certainly no shame in coming in second place, especially in 2021 when it was the first real season after being cut short in 2020 by the pandemic. But Coach Canestros determination to do better could be exactly what his team needs this year.
After all, this mindset could very well be what drove Canestro himself to a successful professional baseball career, playing for five total seasons as both a pitcher and fielder on the Oneonta Yankees, the Prince William Cannons, the Fort Lauderdale Yankees, and the Salt Lake City Trappers.
Calhoun saw a strong player graduate last year in Patrick Sanchez (21), who is now attending and playing for the College of Charleston in South Carolina. He batted .600 during the regular season and posted one of the finest all-around seasons in Nassau County history.
Patrick Sanchez – confirmed not a batting gloves guy – with his fourth HR of the season pic.twitter.com/bctLIUjEZQ
Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 17, 2021
Canestro is confident that his team has a healthy mix of upperclassmen and lowerclassmen. Its a nice mix of kids of all grades, said Canestro. From sophomores to seniors – kids can play. There will also be 16 returning varsity players; these 16 players will have experience from a successful season and should be an asset to the team.
Coach Canestro was eager to name a number of players to watch out for. These players included pitcher/infielder Brian Chin (22, 2.3 ERA), Brooks Montabalno (22, 1.29 ERA), pitcher/outfielder Matt Kalfus (23, 1.27 ERA), first baseman Jordan Babbo (23, .380), Joe Goodman (24), and left-handed pitcher Danny Goodman (24, .462).
Canestro gave special mention to pitcher Ryan Pucella (23), saying that Pucella is primed to have a breakout year.
Calhoun has a number of college commitments among its seniors; Brooks Montalbano is committed to SUNY Purchase, Shane Linett is committed to SUNY New Paltz, and Brian Chin is committed to Wentworth Institute of Technology.
When it comes to the teams specific strengths this year, Canestro feels his teams strengths lie in arguably the two most important elements of the game; pitching and hitting.
We could hit last year, and I think we will be even stronger with the bats this year, said Canestro. Pitching will be much improved – we will have guys that will lock down teams.
With a determined coach who has played in the professionals and an experienced team composed of players who will surely have a chip on their shoulder about the 2021 season, its hard not to like Calhouns chances of success this year.
They will play in Conference 2 which includes Glen Cove, Roslyn, Carey, Sewanhaka, Bellmore JFK and Hewlett.
Calhouns opening day is March 28th. They will be playing against Glen Cove.