Thursday, October 1, 2026
Oceanside’s baseball team is young, inexperienced, and has taken its lumps early in the season.
But the talent is unquestioned. It’s a scenario that reminds coach Mike Postilio Jr. about the team that formed the nucleus of the one that won 15 games and was one game away from competing for a county championship last year.
That Sailors side was led by the triumvirate of Dylan Beirne, Kyle Scheuer, and Luke Villella, all of whom are playing college baseball this spring.
“The senior group that graduated last year struggled as freshmen on varsity, which is understandable, but in the long run, they had some serious seasons in their junior and senior years, which is great,” Postilio Jr. said.
The Oceanside coach is hoping the beginning chapter of the next championship run is being written this year.
“We kind of see that same formula put in play here with these younger guys,” he said. “We knew it was coming this way, and we were ready for it. We just wish we could have snuck out a couple of wins early on. But they’re gaining experience every day.”
Playing in the unforgiving Conference AAA-I, the young Sailors are off to a 0-6 start. But results are secondary to development early in the season. Besides, all seven teams make the postseason, and that’s where Postilio Jr. is hoping Oceanside can play spoiler.
“It’s just a matter of us providing opportunities to these young kids so they can hopefully find their way throughout the regular season,” he said. “And then we can see if we can make some noise and be a disruptive team in the playoffs as we get closer to May.”
Providing the vital leadership on an inexperienced squad is shortstop Jack Regan, a senior captain who will play at Division II Bloomsburg and is one of the best hitters on the team.
Sophomore Matt Vlahakis came up late in the season as an eighth grader and started as a freshman. He is the No. 3 pitcher and third baseman, although he has the capability of playing anywhere in the infield.
Senior Jake Ganulin has slowly worked his way back after an offseason arm injury, but when healthy, he has command of multiple pitches.
Sophomore Brendan Mahoney and junior Chase Vargas have split starts in the second game of series. Mahoney is a righty who mixes up fastballs and curveballs, while Vargas is a lefty.
Sophomore Brad Albenda has been the Sailors’ best relief pitcher early on and plays third when Vlahakis is on the mound. Sophomore Jaden Belone, a three-sport star, starts in centerfield and is a lefty bat and lefty arm who occasionally pitches.
Junior Peter Palotti and senior Jake Dyer both earned starting spots in the outfield as well, while freshman Nate Walker starts at first base.
“The kids who we feel have potential are getting valuable reps,” Postilio Jr. said. “The results from a score basis aren’t what we want, but these reps that these kids are getting are meaningful, and it’s going to help their growth for sure.”
