Rams Have Holes to Fill, Depth to Compete

Ian Anderson SKIP PEARLMAN CARMEL—The Carmel High baseball team lost some major talent to graduation last spring, but veteran manager Bob Shilling believes he has the depth—and the right pieces—to keep the Rams in the playoff picture.

Carmel finished at 15-7 last spring, losing to Arlington in the Class AA quarterfinals.

The Rams will be without All-Section pitcher Mike Volpe, All-Section OF/P and Section 1 Player of the Year Zack Graczyk, and All-League backstop Nick Denapoli.

“I think we have some depth, and a lot of competition, which is kind of neat,” Shilling said. “It creates an atmosphere where the kids have to work hard. One through nine we can hit the ball hard, but our lack of depth on the pitching staff is more of a concern.”

Carmel will look to senior Ian Anderson and sophomore Bret Viola to carry most of the load. Both have some experience, and Shilling believes the duo has potential.

Bret Viola SKIP PEARLMAN “When you lose a Volpe and a Graczyk, that’s tough,” the manager said. “But Ian and Bret can be No. 1s … they just need to go out and prove it. They both have the ability, but they have work to do.”

Also in the mix will be senior Sean Collins, juniors Troy Torres and Luke McDonough, senior Estlin Link, and juniors Robert O’Malley and Mike Marek. “Link is a control-type pitcher, and he could be heard from,” Shilling said.

On the offensive side, the Rams have plenty of pop in their top six batters— Rojas, Brandon Lugo (junior), Anderson, Ryan Shilling (senior—All- Section HM and AL last year), Viola and Marek.

“I like our top six,” Shilling said, “and our 7-8-9 aren’t bad, either. We don’t have a true leadoff hitter, but they will be tough outs. They’ll battle.”

And the Carmel defense should be sound, with senior Chris Pompa behind the plate, Marek at first, senior Chris Harlin at second, Shilling at third, and senior Mike Rooney at short. In the outfield, Lugo mans left, Rojas will take center and Viola will handle right.

“We’re solid in a lot of spots,” Shilling said. “We do have some question marks up the middle … but they can make the plays, and I think that defensively, we’ll be fine.”

Shilling also expects to see good things from junior shortstop Nick Palmiero and junior infielder Austin Barbosa. “Nick has a real good glove, and he’ll play,” Shilling said “Both of those guys have some good potential.”

The Rams will play this season in League 2-B, along with Brewster, Mahopac, Yorktown, Lakeland and Panas.

“I think we can compete in this league,” Shilling said. “Mahopac is strong, Lakeland is very good, Brewster has a good team … so it’s a good league. I think if we can establish Viola and Anderson as a legitimate one and two, we’ll be good. But a lot depends on how consistent they can be. Because hitting-wise, I think we are as good as most.”