For the first time since 1990, Farmingdale captures the Nassau County Championship pic.twitter.com/GSGjX7q39t
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 26, 2024
Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Vin Messana
Farmingdale has had some great teams over the years, but had been unable to take that final leap to the top of the mountain.
In 2024, through a combination of outstanding clutch performances from their upperclassmen, some timely contributions from the depth of the roster, great coaching decisions and good fortunes, they were able to defeat Port Washington in the Nassau County Class AAA County Finals to be crowned champs for first time in 34 years.
“It comes down to the group of guys we had,” said longtime head coach Frank Tassielli, who has been at the helm since 2003. “As coaches, we always talk about knowing your role. We had some great role players. There was about 7 or 8 players that were constants on the field. Really left field was the only position we needed to switch guys around – it was a revolving door. Everyone knew it and nobody complained. The group came together. We’ve had some really good teams over the years, but weren’t able to get over the hump,” he added.
While there’s no question having the team buy-in is very important, they were certainly led by the top-end of their roster which was led by 2x All-County player and current Stony Brook freshman Jordan Welch as well as Joe Tagliavia.
Jordan Welch helps himself with an RBI single. 4-1 Farmingdale pic.twitter.com/ICkmIdFVaP
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 25, 2024
“Without Welch and Tagliavia, we don’t have that three-year run. Jordan had a monster year – but he was on another level in the playoffs, he had more RBIs in the seven playoff games (16) than during the regular season (12).” Welch hit .409 for the season and was equally as impactful on the mound where he twirled gems against Plainview JFK and Port Washington totaling 14 Ks over 12 innings.
“We had been throwing Jack Molloy during the first game of every series, but I said to myself, ‘If I’m going down, I would rather lose with Jordan on the mound.” He certainly did not disappoint as he was at his best when it mattered the most.
“Whenever they got up in a big spot, they came through – it was unbelievable. Welch was All-World.” Welch, who was League MVP in 2023, was named first-team All-Long Island in 2024.
Tagliavia, who is currently taking a gap year, batted .526 during the postseason. He also pitched in Game 2 of each of their series, as him and Andrew Dillon would piggyback outings and the Dalers went 3-0 in those games.
Tassielli noted how sometimes as a coach, you have to ride a hunch and he certainly pressed all the right buttons during the season, which ultimately ended in the Class AAA Long Island Championship against Commack at Middle Country Park.
“Last year it seemed like I could do not wrong – right down to changing guys in the batting order. Things were working. I know the saying goes, ‘I’d rather be lucky than good.’ The ball was rolling the way I wanted it to. Everyone had a piece in that.”
The Dalers certainly have a lot to be proud of, finally getting over the hump which was a culmination of many years of knocking on the door. If they are going to repeat, it will be a little tougher having to replace Welch and Tagliavia. They also graduated Dean Pasolini (SUNY Old Westbury) and Patrick Sebber (Nassau CC)
They will be returning Jack Molloy on the mound, who is committed to the College of Staten Island. He will anchor the rotation for the Dalers. Andrew Dillon is also back. The Oneonta-commit is an imposing figure on the mound, standing 6’7 making batters feel like he’s releasing the ball right on top of them.
Coming on in relief for LIB Prime is Andrew Dillon (Farmingdale 2025) pic.twitter.com/rmYL8yOYfy
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 22, 2024
Junior LHP Lorenzo Cimino is committed to FAU. The southpaw went 1-1 last season over 3 starts. He struck out 15 over 11 innings with a 1.80 ERA. Tassielli noted he’s been sitting 85-86 MPH and topping at 87.
Handling that pitching staff is Iona-commit Angel Cartagena is among the top hitters on Long Island. He batted .383 with 13 RBIs on the season. In the playoffs, he was injured in the first game which kept him out of action for a few games. Mark Reo stepped in during his absence and did a commendable job behind the dish. Going into the County Finals, coach asked how he felt and he told him he was playing.
“That’s all I needed to hear.”
Angel Cartagena answers back for Farmingdale with a 2 RBI double, giving them a 2-1 lead pic.twitter.com/0h6RSRttB8
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 25, 2024
Cartagena responded with 2 hits including a first inning 2-run double in Game 1 against Port Washington leading them to a 6-3 win.
“Angel is a quiet guy, not loud. He’s sort of in the same mold as Tagliavia. They lead by example. He was right behind Jordan and Joe last year. The kids like him, he has a good sense of humor. As a coach, we usually call the pitches but with Angel, we let him call them. He picked up on how we do things, how to set up hitters. When things didn’t go well, he would go to the mound, call a timeout and settle the pitcher down. Does the small things great, that’s what makes him a big time player.”
They also return junior 3B Ive Mills. He took the starting job early in the season and ran with it. He batted .412 and coach said he “played a phenomenal third base.” He also hit .313 in the playoffs, proving he could produce against top pitching.
Another player that was called up as a sophomore was James Sebber, younger brother of Patrick. He batted .310 during the regular season and .364 during the playoffs. He will start in center field and bat leadoff for the Dalers.
They also return uncommitted senior SS.RHP John Franco. He saved 3 games during the regular season and another three in the playoffs. He batted .333 with 11 RBIs and will likely hold down the shortstop position.
Coach added that he “probably could’ve been a starting pitcher on a lot of teams but we just didn’t have the need and I asked him if he wanted to be the closer and he said, ‘hell yeah.’
The Dalers will look to defend their crown this season beginning with Freeport on April 8.
