Marines get new coach first win

New Long Beach baseball coach Jason Zizza picked up his first varsity win last Friday as the Marines topped East Rockaway, 8-1 in a non-league game.

Kevin LaMontagne starred in the victory, pitching a three-hitter with four strikeouts and driving in a pair of runs with a single. Albert Doerbecker (three RBI), Mickey Silberfeld and Jake Kempinski each added two hits.

“It’s great to get the first one out of the way,” said Zizza, who spent seven years as the JV coach. “Carmine [Lombardo] did a lot of great things with this program and I enjoyed working with him. It’s a new era for Long Beach baseball and we’re looking to be competitive every day in a very tough conference.”

The Marines have their work cut out with defending Nassau Class AA champion Calhoun, runner-up Carey, Kennedy, Mepham and Valley Stream Central as Conference AA-III opponents. “We don’t want to be part of any developmental league,” Zizza said. “The kids are working hard in practice and hopefully it translates into wins. A goal of ours is to be consistent.”

Seniors LaMontagne, Silberfeld and Dylan Stamile comprise the starting pitching rotation, though Zizza could call on others to work the mound including juniors Sal Rusica, Danny Mayper and Will Schelhorn.

Silberfeld, the team’s starting shortstop on non-pitching days, is considered the ace of the staff and has outstanding command of the strike zone. He had a tremendous outing in a 1-0 loss to Calhoun in the conference opener last Monday, allowing just two hits. “Mickey isn’t going to hurt us with walks,” Zizza said. “We’ll have a chance to win every time he’s out there.”

Stamile, who can play shortstop and second base, is a big addition after moving back to the area from Texas. He can be a force on the mound, and gap power makes him an ideal cleanup batter.

LaMontagne was used primarily in relief a year ago and is another with varsity experience and good control. He’ll also see some time at first base along with Kempinski.