Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Max Edelman
Centereach Cougars head coach Pete Cammarata is a baseball lifer. Having coached 26 years in various roles, Cammarata has been at the helm for the Cougars since 2018. As he entered his 27th season coaching, Cammarata reflected on the Cougars 2025 season, in which the Cougars won four games in a rebuilding season.
“I think our guys last year prepared as hard as any one of our teams,” Cammarata said. “Even when we were league champs, or made the playoffs last year. They prepared as well as any team, we just didn’t have the horses last year. They played to their ability level, they played hard, we just didn’t have a successful season.”
This past June, two key members of the Cougars graduated, and will continue their baseball careers at the college level. Anthony Gagliardi, who won the league’s gold glove at shortstop, is playing at Farmingdale, and Nicholas Scraper is also playing in college.
When it comes to returning players, at the top of the list is Mike Buonagura. The senior shined as a two-way player last year. On the mound, Buonagura pitched to a 1.80 ERA with 40 strikeouts, and hit .300 at the plate. He is committed to play college ball at Eastern University in Pennsylvania.
“He has a good arm.” Cammarata said. “He has good velo, and defensively he’s rock solid. He is an all-around player that’s going to help us.”
Another significant piece to the Centereach puzzle this year is Ryan Maida. He is committed to Suffolk Community College and Cammarata believes Maida’s baseball career will continue beyond his time there. Much like Buonagura, Maida features as both a pitcher and a position player, On the mound, Maida pitched to a 2.00 ERA, and hit .300 at the plate. Additionally, when not on the mound, Maida serves as the team’s catcher.
“We converted him into a pitcher.” Cammarata said. “And behind the plate he is as solid as any catcher in Suffolk County. He’s got a laser for an arm, receives really well and blocks with the best of them. He is significant”
When describing Jagger Rocco, Cammarata made sure to mention that he is as fast as lightning. Rocco, a Hudson Valley Community College commit, has impressed with his defense in center field. This year, Cammarata hopes that Rocco will step up on the basepaths, and work to steal more bases than he did a year ago.
Jagger Rocco (Centereach 2026) pic.twitter.com/yMTHFQJdGM
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 20, 2025
“He stole over 10 bases last year as a junior.” Camarata said. “He was a little hesitant sometimes to go. But I think this year he’s going to be a really confident kid. I’m expecting him to tear it up.”
The likely replacement for Gagliardi at shortstop is junior Donovan Gilmartin. Much like his predecessor, Gilmartin also pitches, and features an effective fastball. At second base is junior Tristan Robles. Cammarata complimented Robles on his glove and believes he will have a good year at the plate this season. Speedster outfielder and pitcher Nick Didonato both throws and runs fast, and sophomore Kamryn Garcia, mostly features as a catcher and a first baseman for the Cougars.
Dodger Nation SP Donovan Gilmartin (Centereach 2027) bounces back with a scoreless second inning
Indians 2 – Dodger Nation 2
End second pic.twitter.com/z6ooF9GqDQ— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 18, 2025
“He’s going to be a major player for us.” Cammarata said. “As a ninth grader last year he learned a lot. He’s coming back with some confidence as a 10th grader. In our winter workouts, he is as confident as I’ve seen any player. He’s got a great arm and a good pop time at second base, so we’re going to rely heavily on him as a tenth grader.”
Coming off a rebuilding year in 2025, Cammarata believes that his team is well rounded, and ready to hit the ground running in 2026.
“I think we’re going to hit and play good defense.” Cammarata said. “I think overall we’re going to be a solid team. We’re going to play good defense, we’re not going to make many errors, and I think we’re going to put the bat on the ball.”
The Centereach Cougars will open their season against North Babylon this upcoming March 26 as they look to relive the magic of their 2024 League Championship season.
