Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Ryan Manno
After several seasons of laying the foundation, the Locust Valley baseball program enters the 2026 campaign focused on steady improvement, leadership, and re-establishing itself as a playoff contender.
For head coach Brian LoRusso, the vision is clear: growth first, results second.
“Our main goal is to continue to get better every day,” LoRusso said. “We hold the program to a very high standard and want to keep growing not just as ballplayers, but as young adults as well.”
That daily mindset has become a cornerstone of the program. Locust Valley consistently emphasizes the importance of getting “1% better” each day while also building strong relationships within the team and school community. LoRusso believes that if those habits are maintained, success will naturally follow.
“Hopefully the byproduct of that is making the playoffs and making a run,” he said. “That’s always the goal.”
This year’s roster is more experienced than in recent seasons, with a group led primarily by juniors and seniors. Many of those players were called up to the varsity level early in their high school careers, giving them valuable experience that LoRusso hopes will translate into consistency and maturity on the field.
“Our guys have worked extremely hard all year to prepare,” LoRusso said. “For the first time in a few years, we’re mostly juniors and seniors. A lot of them play travel baseball too, which helps. Now it’s about executing and winning ballgames.”
The Falcons will need to replace key graduated contributors Chris Gianoukakis and Sean Lyons, but LoRusso is confident the returning core is ready to step into expanded roles.
At the core of the team is a senior class that has gained crucial experience the past couple years. Locust Valley returns four seniors, Liam Baker, Ryan Sullivan, Braiden Houghtaling, and Dean Wolfe, all of whom have been on varsity since at least their sophomore seasons and were even pulled up as eighth graders or freshmen during playoff runs.
“I expect all of them to lead in different ways,” LoRusso said. “They’ve been through a lot, and that experience matters.”
Wolfe, a SUNY Purchase-commit, anchors the pitching staff and is expected to log significant innings. Sullivan is also committed to play college baseball at CCNY, while Baker and Houghtaling are currently in the process of making their college decisions, another sign of the program’s continued development at the next level.
Behind Wolfe, the Falcons boast strong pitching depth. Alex Karousos (freshman), Cole Corey (sophomore), and Cole Thompson (junior) have all earned starts in previous seasons, while juniors Will Yarocki and JT Encarnacion are emerging arms competing for varsity roles. Rotation spots, LoRusso emphasized, will be earned.
The lineup also features impactful returning underclassmen in Alex Karousos and Derek Iannotti, both of whom are expected to be major contributors this season.
Statistically, Locust Valley returns proven bats as well. Junior Marcus Houghtaling, an All-League selection, hit .432 last season with two doubles, one triple, and 10 stolen bases. Senior Liam Baker, a 2024 All-League winner, posted a .357 average with two doubles and 11 stolen bases, providing speed and consistency at the top of the order.
Beyond numbers, LoRusso says the program’s identity is rooted in toughness and passion.
“We want to be tough and we want to love the game,” he said. “Loving the process of getting better and working as hard as you can, that’s all we ask.”
That mentality has drawn comparisons to Locust Valley’s 2023 playoff team, something the coaching staff sees as a promising sign.
“This group has a very similar feel in terms of leadership and competitiveness,” LoRusso said. “We’ve been impressed with their willingness to learn, grow, and win.”
The Falcons open the season on March 23 against North Shore, a rivalry matchup that should immediately test the squad’s preparation.
“They’re one town over and should have a veteran team,” LoRusso said. “We’ll have to execute what we’ve been working on in practice and scrimmages.”
If Locust Valley can pair its daily growth mentality with its experienced leadership, the Falcons believe a return to the postseason is well within reach.
