In a cruel twist of fate, Smithtown East had their 2024 and 2025 seasons end via walk-off. By the same team. In the same inning. With the same pitcher on the mound.
That pitcher, Sean Fanning, certainly deserved better after compiling a record of 10-0 entering his start on Wednesday at Connetquot. He was a major reason that the Bulls captured the League III title with a record of 15-3 during the regular season. He was named League III MVP, All-County, All-League and the Gold Glove winner for 1B. He fired 31 straight scoreless innings at one point.
In fact, the Fannings combined for 17 of Smithtown East’s 20 wins as his twin brother, Tom, went 7-1.
The entire Smithtown East varsity team has been playing together for several years – it’s a big reason why they’ve been so successful together dating back to St. James’ Little League.
End of 7: Connetquot 1, Smithtown East 1
Sean Fanning and DJ Filippone locked in a great pitcher’s duel with a trip to the Suffolk AAA Finals on the line pic.twitter.com/6ObVoW9xpY
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 28, 2025
When the current crop of seniors were freshmen, they went 20-0 on JV. They followed that up with another 20-0 season the following year.
“We don’t lose,” said Fanning. “That was the standard,” he added. This season, the JV team finally lost, but the 2025 seniors continued their winning ways at the varsity level. Many of their players were awarded with accolades:
Sean Fanning – League MVP, Gold Glove (1B)
Mike DeRosa – All-County
Evan Schickler – All-County
Bobby Eck – All-League
Nick Porrello – All-League
Angelo Ciminiello (freshman) – All-League
Andrew Carbonara – Academic All-League
Back in 2022, Fanning was called up to varsity for the playoffs. Going against a powerful Commack lineup, he fired two shutout innings in the County Finals against the team that would go onto become 4x County Champions.
His head coach, Rob Christensen, had the following to say:
“He was a quiet leader, came up to varsity for the playoffs as a freshman and pitched very well against a stacked Commack lineup. He set an example of how hard you need to work and how to battle through some adversity. His sophomore year did not go how anyone would’ve anticipated. His arm just wasn’t right and winning meant everything to him so he put a lot of work in at first base over the summer and came back as a junior solidifying that position, but also changing the course of our season once he got back on the mound to his true form. Every time he took the ball, the team felt that they were going to win, and that only amplified as his senior year continued to go on and he just kept putting up zeros. The brighter the moment, the bigger he shined – not even just on the mound, but getting the opportunity to play first every third game coming through with his bat in big situations. For example, his junior year going into Connetquot in an elimination game, no-hitting them through 6 2/3, then this year starting us off against 4-time County Champions in Commack followed by an incredible performance at Longwood, who may have had the best offense in Suffolk County and giving us a chance to continue our season on short rest at Connetquot. He’s a team-first guy who never complained, put his head down and continued to just wait for every opportunity possible to give us the best chance to win. He changed the expectation and standard in our program since I took over by setting the bar very high on what it’s like to be a leader, how to execute and be the ultimate teammate and the underclassmen were like a shadow, so I’m confident he instilled those habits into these guys moving forward. And all that hard work led to a 10-1 season, a 1 ERA, Gold Glove at 1st base and a League MVP.”
LHP Sean Fanning (Smithtown East 2025) commits to SUNY Purchase @PhenomNy pic.twitter.com/2GmSQ5hNE4
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 5, 2024
2025 was the season is all came together for Sean Fanning, but behind these scenes is what people don’t see. There was one thing holding him back and he identified that he needed to improve it in the off-season.
“I knew I needed to get my velo up,” he said. “I’ve always had a good change up and curve. Going to the Command Center with TJ and Pango and going to Neal really helped. I got up to 80-81 MPH and my change up is still my best pitch.” Additionally, he is a good athlete – with 3 years of varsity basketball experience and two years of varsity football experience.
College coaches liked what they saw as well.
“I went to SUNY Purchase’a prospect camp alone and I had 4 strikeouts. The head coach offered me a spot on the team right away. My brother didn’t go. But he’s 6’5 and sent the coach a video about a week later and it was the same thing, he offered him a spot on the team.”
A dream scenario for a parent – having both of their sons attend the same school and pitch on the same staff for 4 years.
Fanning credits his summer coach, Steve Armenia, with making that happen.
“Coach Armenia had a huge impact on me,” he said. “He’s always running practices, always at games, talking to college coaches. His relationship with the Purchase coach got me recruited. I love him. He was there for us.”
While Smithtown East didn’t reach their ultimate goal of winning a county championship, they had a season to be proud of. They’ve been knocking on the door for years. If there’s one thing the MLB Playoffs teaches us, just get in to the tournament – anything can happen.
Get to Know Sean:
Favorite Athletes: Aaron Judge and Clayton Kershaw
Favorite App: TikTok
Favorite Musical Artist: Drake and Morgan Wallen
Favorite Vacation Spot: Diamond Nation
Favorite Movie: Moneyball
Favorite Restaurant: Chic-Fil-A
