March 15, 2019

By  Vinny Messana Axcess Baseball

It’s been 19 years since St. Anthony‘s has captured the CHSAA championship. Over that time, they’ve had plenty of talented teams that have fallen just shy of the ultimate goal. With Paul Parsolano at the helm, coming off helping St. Joseph’s to two Skyline Conference title in three years, and a loaded team with three Division-I players and plenty of up-and-coming talent, they are primed to make a run at it.

“I’ve been coaching since 1993 with plenty of stops along the way–and I’ve always said this is the one job that if it became available and I had the opportunity, I would do it,” said Parsolano. “I got my dream high school job. So far, it’s been everything I thought it would be. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms into the St. Anthony’s family,” he added.

Parsolano, who has a reputation for getting the most of his pitching staffs will go to battle with two high-end Division-I pitchers atop his staff. It’s impossible to ignore the potential and size of Arkansas-commit Louis Stallone. Standing at 6’9″, he is tough to miss. With his pitchability and command, he is tough to hit.

Joining him atop the rotation is Fairfield-commit Billy Fitzgerald. The 6’5″ southpaw pitches in the 85-86 MPH range and will form a dynamic duo with Stallone. They will be tough to beat in any three-game series with two bonafide aces.

The third spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Parsolano said he is looking at six players to fill that role. 

The offense is led by Boston College-commit Cameron Leary, Franklin & Marshall-commit Steven Rizzo and Oneonta-commit Jake Barrett. The former two were named to our Preseason All-Long Island list. Leary is a smooth-swinging left-handed batter with a swing reminiscent of big leaguer Michael Brantley, according to Parsolano. He was tied for the CHSAA lead in HR (6) with Logan O’Hoppe despite playing only half the games. He hit a moonshot HR off the scoreboard at St. Joseph’s College in the postseason last year and will undoubtedly be a force in their lineup. Rizzo won our 2018 Axcess Home Run Derby, showcasing his mammoth power. Barrett, an unheralded third baseman, probably would’ve won the CHSAA MVP if not for the presence of O’Hoppe.

“Coming from college baseball, I wasn’t aware of the talent here, but I can say I have 25 ballplayers,” he added.

Rounding out the infield will be 3B Jake Barrett,  Cameron Dunn at second and Marco Ali at SS, to go along with Stallone/Fitzegerald at first base. The catcher spot is up for grabs as well as left field.

They have a number of scrimmages set up against great talent, beginning Friday with Eastport-South Manor, then West Islip, Connetquot, Plainview-JFK and Archbishop Molloy.

Without a doubt, the Friars appear ready to compete for a championship. It never comes easy with steep competition from the reigning champion St. John the Baptist Cougars, the runner-ups from last year St. Dominic Bay Hawks, 2016-’17 champion Kellenberg Firebirds and the very dangerous Chaminade Flyers. It will make for a compelling season in the CHSAA once again.

Follow the St. Anthony's Baseball Program on Twitter @SAFriarsBase

By Vinny Messana of Axcess Baseball

In a move that is likely to reverberate throughout Long Island baseball, Paul Parsolano will be the new Head Coach of St. Anthony’s, where he was previously an assistant from 1995-2007. In fact, the last time St. Anthony’s won the CHSAA title was in 2000, when he was on staff. He is also credited with the rapid ascension of Franklin Parra from obscurity to being drafted by the New York Mets in the 11th round this past June.

Parsolano had been the pitching coach of St. Joseph’s College since 2014, where he helped break their drought of winning the Skyline Conference championship in 2016. They also won it in 2018, in large part to his pitching staff. Here are some facts since he took over.

2 Conference Championships (2016, 2018)

2 Regular Season Championships (2015, 2017)

61-21 (.714) in Conference since 2014

Conference ERA since 2014 2.59

Conference Fielding PCT since 2014 .970

2017 Pitching Staff Led Conference in ERA (1.17), K (96), BAA (.204), BB Allowed (35), SHO (8), Hits Allowed (100), Runs Allowed (34)

2017: Pitching Staff ranked 4th in Nation in Shutouts in 2017 led by Brandon Lubrano who ranked 6th in Nation in ERA

2016: Ranked 2nd in Nation in Hits Allowed Per Nine Innings and 3rd in Nation in Shutouts

2 Top-15 wins in the past two years (Oswego  in 2018 and Johns Hopkins in 2017)

Simply put, he is wildly popular and considered among the best pitching coaches in the region. Pitchers have routinely seen improvement under his tutelage.

So, what does this mean for the landscape of Long Island baseball in the near future?

First off, it means the addition of another well-respected Head Coach in the Catholic League. He joins Brian Anderson (St. Dominic) as a first-year Head Coach in the league, one year after Dan Luisi joined Holy Trinity and just a couple years after Casey McKay joined St. John the Baptist.

I fully expect this to have an immediate impact on the standings. I believe St. Anthony’s will face St. Dominic in the CHSAA finals this season.

Furthermore, I expect this to have an impact on enrollment in the school as more parents will choose to have their son play for one of the aforementioned programs.

As for St. Joseph’s College, they will recover but there’s no sugar-coating this loss. Parsolano is as well-respected and impactful of an Assistant Coach as you can possibly have. Quality players were drawn to the program because of the potential impact he could have and the relationship they have with him. Look no further than the addition of Anthony Papa and Joseph Murphy last year, who were clearly capable of playing at the Division-I level but opted to stay home and win a conference.

“Pars and I over the years became brothers, I wish him nothing but success and happiness. We will be friends for life. His stories and quotes will live with the program forever. Shake a leg and your not wrong. Memories we will have forever!!!! Greg Naccari also will be a life long friend,” said St. Joseph’s Head Coach Rick Garrett.

Huge hire for the Friars, who immediately improved their chances next season. 

Congratulation to Louis Stallone who accepted the offer to play Division One baseball at the University of Arkansas.

The process of being recruited is exciting and stressful for young athletes but Stallone was looking for the opportunity to play in the SEC, ACC or Ivy League. One of St. Anthony's pitchers and solid hitters the coaches are excited to have him back to help lead the Friars for the 2019 season.

He was drawn towards the Razorbacks because of “its reputation for developing great pitchers and looks forward to playing in the SEC." The whole staff was another draw for him and getting the chance to see the facilities and experience the school community “I couldn't have found a better fit.” Stallone join’s a team that finished third in the SEC tournament and earned a bid to the 2018 College World series and finished runner up to #3 Oregon.

Louis will not only keep working hard on the diamond but in the classroom as he enters the 2018-19 school year while thinking about majoring in biology or Kinesiology at Arkansas.

Follow the St. Anthony's Baseball Program on Twitter @SAFriarsBase

As of 3/4/2019

Before trying out All Athletes must have completed the Appryse Profile and have a current physical on file.

Tues, 3/5: Juniors/Seniors 3:30p-6p at Prospect Sports, Farmingdale. Freshman/Sophomores off. 

Wed, 3/6: Sophomores 3:30-6p at Prospect Sports, Farmingdale. Freshman/Juniors/Seniors off. 

Thurs, 3/7: Freshman 3:30-6p at Prospect Sports, Farmingdale. Juniors/Seniors 3p-5p in Student Center. Sophomores off. 

A bus will take Student-Athletes from school to Prospect Sports. Parents responsible for pickup from Prospect Sports.