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Mike Postilio, Oceanside Excited For 2026 season

Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series

by Joe Bello

Oceanside is heading into the 2026 season with a lot of excitement after a successful 2025 campaign. Mike Postilio heads into his 13th year as head coach of the Oceanside varsity squad. 

The Sailors finished with a record of 15-7 last spring, reaching the playoffs and finishing in the final four. They knocked off Port Washington in round one, but then were eliminated by Massapequa in three games. 

“We had a very good season and played some great baseball at times.” Postilio said. “Going into the Farmingdale series, it was us and them for the conference title. We were 10-1 at the time, lost the first game 1-0 on a bases loaded walk, and then 6-1 the next day.”

“In the playoffs, we advanced to the final four where we took game one against Massapequa but then we lost the next two.” Postilio added.

Oceanside had five of their nine graduated seniors go on to play college baseball this season. 

Luke Villella, who was a 3-time All-County selection, including last season, has graduated. He is now playing at USC Aiken. Kyle Scheurer, who was a 2-time All-Conference selection, and was awarded All-County last season, is now playing ball at Lynn University. As well as the ace from last spring, Dylan Beirne, who won All-Conference honors last year, graduated. He is now pitching at Adelphi University. 

Rounding out the freshmen in college are outfielder Ryan Piccola, who is now playing at Elms College. As well as lefty pitcher Dan Pignataro, who is now at Ulster Community College. 

Senior shortstop Jack Regan returns to the Sailors this season after being awarded with All-Conference honors in 2025. Regan is committed to Bloomsburg University to play baseball after he finishes up his senior year at Oceanside. He is somebody who Postilio will look at for production this season after batting .300 with 20 hits last year.

“Jack Regan has been working hard on hitting to all fields,” Postilio said. “We expect big things from him his senior year.”

Along with Regan, the Sailors have three other college commits as they enter their senior year at Oceanside. Senior outfielder Jake Dyer will be playing at Mount Saint Vincent next season. Senior outfielder Jack Destefen is committed to playing at Western Connecticut State following his senior year. As well as Mike Scotto, who will play at Alfred State.

Postilio will lean on his starting catcher, Ryan Pender, for leadership this season at Oceanside. “Senior catcher Ryan Pender has been a great leader this whole offseason,” Postilio said, “His growth has been easy to see.”

The other award winner for the Sailors last season was Jack Paul, who was awarded All-League honors after notching 3 wins. Paul and fellow senior Jake Ganulin (1.27 ERA) will look to lead the pitching staff this upcoming spring for Postilio.

“Seniors Jake Ganulin and Jack Paul are ready to take the next step this season as well as sophomore Matt Vlahakis.”

Vlahakis looks to contribute on both sides of the ball, in the infield and on the mound, for the Sailors in 2026 after batting .320 last year.

Oceanside started their winter workouts back in November, where they all get together for team workouts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Although they graduated a lot of talent in 2025, Postilio is excited for what is to come for some of the younger classes of players that remain Sailors in 2026.

“We have graduated a lot of really good players.” Postilio said, “However, we are excited about the returning players, as well as our sophomore and junior classes. We are also really excited about opening up our brand new turf stadium.”

Some names that he mentioned being excited about for the junior class include catcher Richie Conte, infielder Jariel Nunez, and utility player Peter Palotti. While the sophomores include outfielder and pitcher Jaden Belone, infielder and pitcher Chase Eisel, as well as infielder and pitcher Brad Albenda. Not to forget the previously mentioned Matt Vlahakis. 

The Oceanside Sailors open up their 2026 season on March 26, as they debut their new turf field against the Plainview-Old Bethpage Hawks