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Centereach Hopeful to Take Step Next and Reach Postseason

By Thomas Cregan

Centereach head coach Pete Cammarata is looking to take the next step and reach the postseason in 2022.

In his first two years with the program coach Cammarata and his Centereach team barely missed the playoffs by just one game in both years. However, in 2021 the team took a step back and won four games, but Cammarata is not discouraged and is looking to build off the experience his players have gained and continue to make strides toward success in 2022.  He described the 2021 season as a “hiccup” and he further stated, “Having a four-win season hurts and it’s really not something that you want to see, but this team has always been gritty and competitive, and we will be looking to our core group of seniors to perform better in 2022.”

Centereach saw two key players depart from the team that graduated in 2021.  Catcher Joseph Laporta who is now at Manhattanville College this year.  Laporta had been an excellent catcher for the team, and he will be looking to their new starting catcher to fill his shoes this year.  Along with third baseman Anthony Gangi, who Cammarata described as “solid as can be at the third base position, he was an excellent fielder with a great glove who made a ton of big plays for us.  He will definitely be missed.”

Centereach will be looking for big contributions from their impact players this year in order to rebound from last season. Starting off with the player who will fill the shoes of graduate Joe Laporta, junior Benny Licata will take over at the catcher position.  The team’s number one pitcher for the upcoming season will be Chipola College-commit Dominick Persichilli.  Senior Burke Sheehan who was formerly a very effective catcher was converted to a pitcher/outfielder.  Cammarata said “he has solid stuff on the mound and will be a big help to our pitching staff.”  

Though Cammarata stated that it was uncommon for 9th grade players to be called up to varsity, last year saw two of those players perform well and he will be looking for them to bring that same performance to the team this year.  Now a sophomore, center fielder Logan Norman is one of those players.  Cammarata had high praise for Norman stating, “He is a young guy, but he has a man’s body and he really looks like a senior out there.”  Another sophomore who saw playing time last year was shortstop Josh Ortiz, who Cammarata also praised saying, “He is a great fielder who is as smooth as they come, and he can field the shortstop position as good as anybody.”  Centereach will have a core group of players in 2022 that coach Cammarata describes as fiery competitors that are ready to compete and perform this season.  

When asked about his team’s biggest strength Cammarata cited the experience gained by his group of returning guys.  He said, “After the season we had last year with just 4 wins these guys know they can perform better, and they want to go out there and be better every day.”

Centereach will be facing off against Connetquot, Newfield, Copiague, Huntington, and Smithtown East this year.  Though Cammarata said that there is not always a standout team among their conference he did say “Every team is well coached, and you really need to be prepared and every player has to be on their game in order to succeed.”  This preparation has already begun as he stated the team has been doing off season workout and they are excited to get the season started.

Centereach will open their season against crosstown rival and reigning Long Island Champs, Newfield on March 28th.  Cammarata expressed excitement for the rivalry game stating “The players and coaches all know each other well and there is a mutual respect among us, however that all goes out the window when we get on the field, we have to focus on winning the game.  I am really excited to get the rivalry going again this year.”