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Joe Mancini Takes Over as Miller Place’s Head Coach, Expects Competitive Season

by Mike Merolle 

(Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.)

Miller Place had a strong 16-8 campaign until it was cut short by Sayville in the playoffs last season. This year, the Panthers are under new leadership. Joe Mancini is taking the reigns from former head coach Ricky Caputo. Mancini served as Miller Place’s assistant coach for eight years under Caputo. In terms of coaching style, Mancini plans to focus on the fundamentals. 

“I learned a lot from Rick. I’m very grateful for the time we had together. We grew a bond, he’s a great guy,” said Mancini. “A lot of it is going to be the same but we’re going to get back to more fundamentals, more basics. We’re going to get our guys situationally aware like hitting in certain situations. It’ll be a more foundational approach.” 

Mancini is excited about his roster this season. Senior Alex Strickland is a Longwood University (Div-I) commit and he’s developed with the team since his freshman year. The shortstop will be looked to for his big bat and his role in the starting rotation. His brother, Joseph Strickland (2024) is a Misericordia University (Div-III) commit and will contribute to Miller Place on the mound after coming off an injury last season. Their last name may seem familiar because their older brother, Jason, was a big part of the pitching staff during his Miller Place career until he graduated in 2022. He now pitches for Bridgewater State University (Div-III). 

More key players that will anchor the Panthers’ core include senior Mike Monaco. He has been up with the squad since his freshman season and is expected to provide a big presence in the outfield this year. Monaco is a University of Bridgeport (Div-II) commit.

On the mound, junior Nick Frusco is one of the top pitchers in his class on Long Island and is committed to Rutgers. Mancini also highlights his bat which can help the Miller Place offense.

Over 45.1 innings, he struck out an incredible 93 batters with a 1.24 ERA, 0.88 WHIP. At the plate, he batted .385 with 2 HRs, 14 RBIs, 20 hits, 15 runs scored and 9 walks with just 8 strikeouts.

Junior Nick Calendrino is coming off of Tommy John surgery and Mancini is excited to see his impact on the mound and in the field. Senior Anthony Morano was a role player last season who became clutch in a few situations including one in the playoffs against East Hampton where he tied the game with a sacrifice fly. He will compete for a spot in the infield. Junior Ian Moore will be in the same infield competition and will be looked at in the bullpen. 

The injury bug became an issue last year for Miller Place. Toward the end of last season, some players got hurt at certain points which was reflected on the scoreboards. 

“The concern is staying healthy. Especially with arms and everything. It’s just getting the guys ready so they can be healthy to the end of the season so when it comes May, we’re a full go for the playoffs,” said Mancini. 

If all goes to plan, Mancini plans to utilize his team’s biggest strength, the pitching staff. “We’re really going to lean on [them] heavily with the arms that we have in there. Nick [Frusco], Alex [Strickland], Joe [Strickland], [Nick] Calendrino coming back, Ian [Moore], along with other guys as well. Pitching will be the strength of the team this year,” said Mancini. 

Mancini expects a competitive run with this year’s schedule. “This league in general has always been, you know, everyone knocking each other off. It’s a competitive league. Every series I’m looking at is an important one.” Miller Place will kick off the season against Islip on March 25.