Special thanks Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Ryan Manno
The Brentwood Spartans enter the 2026 season with a focused mindset rooted entirely in execution. Head Coach Rich Gonzalez made it clear that the team’s goals are simple but meaningful: “Our biggest goals are to compete and to play baseball to the best of our ability.” He emphasized that success will come down to fundamentals, adding, “If we can play good defense and swing the bat with efficiency while our pitchers throw strikes, we will put ourselves in a good position to compete every time we play.”
Reflecting on last season, Coach Gonzalez pointed to inconsistency as a major hurdle. “We struggled in the beginning and the end of last season,” he said. While the team showed flashes of strong pitching, defensive breakdowns proved costly. “Our defense collapsed after a few quality starts by our pitching staff. If we expect to make any strides this year, we cannot afford to give runs away on the defensive side of the ball while getting quality starting pitching and timely hitting.”
The team will also have to adjust after the loss of senior starting pitcher Ezequiel Hernandez, who was a steady presence on the mound. “His absence will affect the team because he was someone who always wanted the ball in his hands while dishing out quality starts every time he was out there,” Gonzalez said. “He was also someone the team genuinely enjoyed being around.”
Despite that loss, the identity of this year’s Brentwood squad is already taking shape.
“We want to be viewed as a team that plays hard and competes while putting good first and respecting ourselves as well as our opponents every game,” Gonzalez explained. Rather than relying on one specific strength, the team is built on mindset: “Our team is built on guys who are eager to play baseball and who will go out and compete to the best of their ability.”
‘26 SS/2B Rylain Vega (Brentwood)
Cleanest defensive actions of our 1st session. Three plays shown here, prep hops and moves side-to-side fluidly with soft hands. @TeamBeastBsb pic.twitter.com/Oy2fINOwLV
— Prep Baseball New York (@PrepBaseballNY) June 2, 2024
Offensively, the Indians are looking to strike a balance between aggression and discipline at the plate. “We expect to have an offense that includes players who will be aggressive in their hitting zones while exhibiting patience at the same time,” Gonzalez said. He highlighted several key contributors, including senior shortstop Rylain Vega, who will be attending Oneonta next year and is expected to lead the way offensively. Junior Edgar Gomez and junior first baseman Ryan Flock are also poised for big seasons, with Gonzalez noting that Flock “has worked extremely hard and looks to have a big year.” Sophomore DJ Vittorato is another player to watch, as he is “looking to make an impact and a name for himself as well.” Gonzalez also pointed to Michael Sanchez, describing him as a hitter “who has a strong lefty bat and goes gap to gap with power.”
On the mound, Brentwood will rely on a mix of emerging talent and dependable arms. “Newcomer Marino Gonzalez, a sophomore, is looking to make an impact as he arrives from the Dominican Republic,” Gonzalez said. Mooez Mufti brings consistency, as he “throws strikes and works hard, always keeping his team in games as he keeps hitters off balance.” Angel Herrera adds another strong option, as Gonzalez described him as “a solid starter who throws hard and also has a strong bat.” One of the most intriguing names is eighth grader Dominick Diaz, who “will be playing infield and be used as a starting pitcher as well.”
The bullpen is another area where Gonzalez expressed confidence. “Leo Tejada and Gio Taveras form a solid bullpen as both throw strikes while being able to spot start as well,” he said. “We have confidence in both young men being able to come into any situation and help close a possible threat.”
Young pitching will be a key storyline throughout the season. “We have two young starters,” Gonzalez noted. “Marino Gonzalez is a 10th grader who comes from the Dominican Republic and is looking to make an impact on the mound. Dominick Diaz, an eighth grader, is looking to make his mark on the varsity level as his maturity and skill level will keep him grounded no matter the situation.”
Leadership, according to Gonzalez, is a shared responsibility across the roster. “All of our student-athletes are anxious to get the year started and are all vocal leaders,” he said. “We need to get an advantage with our bench being loud enough while cheering in good taste.”
The Spartans will be tested immediately, opening the season on April 6 with a road doubleheader against Riverhead at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Gonzalez knows the challenge ahead: “We open up against Riverhead, who is a solid baseball team. They will be tough, especially with their ace pitcher and pro prospect Matt Zambriski, who is always fun to watch.” Still, he sees opportunity in the moment. “Opening day always brings excitement as well as trying to build strong momentum for the season ahead.”
With a renewed emphasis on defense, a developing pitching staff, and a lineup built on disciplined aggression, Brentwood heads into the season with a clear identity. And as Coach Gonzalez made clear, everything starts with competing: “If we do the little things right, we’ll give ourselves a chance every time we step on the field.”