Pitching to lead Carey

After finishing the 2010 season with a gut-wrenching loss to eventual county champion Calhoun in the semifinals of the Class AA baseball playoffs, the Carey Seahawks have their eyes on a title.

With one of Nassau’s top starting pitching rotations, Carey should challenge for county supremacy.

Carey, which finished last spring with a record of 14-10, competes in Conference AA-3 with Calhoun, Mepham, Long Beach, Valley Stream Central and Kennedy. With a 12-0 victory over Freeport and a 9-2 drubbing over Floral Park, the Seahawks are off to a fine start

Carey coach Marc Hedquist thinks his pitching staff could carry his team a long way this spring. “I’m excited to see the pitchers in action,” Hedquist said. “We’ve had some strong pitchers in the past, but this may be the deepest staff we’ve had. I’m looking forward to a strong regular season, and hopefully a long playoff run.”

The staff is anchored by John Daddino. The senior right-hander has a career mark of 7-2 with a 1.80 ERA and 128 strikeouts over 85 innings. Daddino, who went 3-0 as a junior after recovering from shoulder surgery, is a flamethrower with a low 90’s fastball. He also has terrific command of his curve and changeup.

Senior Jesse Montalto, who struck out 10 and allowed no walks in the victory over Freeport, brings a high 80’s fastball and mixes in a good curveball. Ron Licciardi and Kyle Zahradka are battling for the third spot in the rotation. 

Senior captain Kyle DeMeo throws absolute gas out of the pen. DeMeo, who hits the 90 mph mark with his fastball, had three wins and a pair of saves in 2010, striking out 37 batters in just 28 innings of work. Juniors Harry Smith, Dan Maloney, and Eddie Eymold will all see time on the mound.

Demeo, who has signed to play at Dowling, moves to the three-hole after two years at the top of the order. The veteran shortstop has a career average of .406 and has scored 49 runs in his first two years with the varsity.

Senior second baseman Tom Rydzewski moves to the leadoff spot. Rydzewski, the team’s best defensive player, is terrific on the basepaths. He has swiped 22 bases over the past two seasons, and has been caught stealing just once.