Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
Final: Wantagh 0 | Clarke 5
Clarke wins the Nassau County Class A Championship for the first time since 2019! pic.twitter.com/AtGqvNDuAL
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 28, 2024
It was certainly an uncharacteristic season for the Clarke Rams in 2025. Coming off winning the Nassau County Class A title in 2024, the Rams were defeated in the quarterfinals by Seaford in a best-of-three. While they still finished with a typically strong 18-5 record, it was the type of season that legendary coach Tom Abruscato is not accustomed to.
“I would say it was disappointing by our standards,” said Abruscato who has been at the helm since 1999 and has won over 500 games and 23 conference titles. “We lost the last game of the season to lose the conference and then we were tied up with Seaford in the 7th inning, made a couple of base running mistakes and other mistakes that we don’t normally make.”
The Rams have had young teams the past two seasons. In 2024 they had only two seniors and again in 2025, they had two; A.J. Cumbo and Dylan Vikara. Both are continuing their playing careers in college – St. Thomas Aquinas and Queens, respectively. Cumbo was the League MVP last year – which continues a trend as they also had the League MVP in 2024 (Giancarlo Rengifo), 2023 (Zaim Deljanin), 2022 (Sean Welsh) and 2021 (Tyler Cox).
This year’s team will reap the benefits of carrying young rosters the past couple years. They will be led by a bevy of seniors that are all entering their third-year on the varsity level.
Leading that group is Hofstra-commit Matthew Kurz. He batted .446 with 4 HRs, 26 RBIs, 27 runs scored, .538 OBP and a stellar 1.201 OPS. Additionally, on the mound he went 6-1 over 38 innings with 47 Ks, 24 hits allowed, 15 walks and a minuscule 1.64 ERA. Abruscato had tremendous praise for his All-County player.
Uncommitted 6’2 RHP/OF Matthew Kurz (Clarke 2026) displaying quick hands on a lineout to left. Great athlete that also plays QB pic.twitter.com/YMn8gaW8HE
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 28, 2025
“He’s worked hard physically. He was our CF on our county championship team as a sophomore. At that time he was about 5’10 140, now he’s 6’3 198. He hasn’t lost any speed. He’s an All-State quarterback. He’s turned himself into a legitimate prospect. He’s got 6.4 speed. First off, just by growing he’s improved but a lot of kids grow and don’t put on the weight. There’s a bunch of major league teams that have met with him. These scouts are coming around and taking a look at him on the mound. I think he was up to 90-91 the other day. He was our three-hitter and No. 1 pitcher last year so he’ll be there again.”
Not only is Kurz back, but the entire pitching staff from last year is as well. “We return every single inning from last year,” said Abruscato.
Joining him atop the rotation is Richard Luke. The Farmingdale State College-commit went 5-1 with 1 save and a 1.15 ERA. He struck out 48 batters over 42 innings with just 9 walks and 28 hits allowed. He was named All-League.
“He spot started for us in 2024, he came into the county finals in the first inning when we were down one games to none and pitched basically a complete game. He’s not ridiculously overpowering, but he throws a lot of pitches for strikes. He’s 83-84 and throws a heavy ball.” He will form a formidable 1-2 punch atop the rotation with Kurz.
Uncommitted RHP Michael Iadevaia (Clarke 2026) fires a no-hitter with 8 Ks for LI Elite Prospects Roche pic.twitter.com/1knP4wcUgL
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 29, 2025
Rounding out the rotation will be Molloy-commit Michael Iadevaia and Farmingdale State College-commit James Beckworth.
“They split time on the mound last year and we’re probably looking at the same thing this year.”
Another returning pitcher is junior Chase Bocchi, who compiled 18 innings in relief last year.
Behind the dish, they will have a time share. Cumbo caught every game last season so they did not need to have a second catcher. This year, they will have Luke Walker and Craig Weydig. Walker was named All-Conference and started every game across a few positions including left field.
“They are both very good, very solid. Maybe a guy will get one game and the other will get two. All of our pitchers play other positions so it opens the door for our versatile guys.”
Abruscato noted that while it’s too early to tell, “there are a couple guys that will get looks” when asked about whether they will call up any freshmen or sophomores.
“Right now we have a lot of returners so they’d really have to make some noise.”
They will open up with a non-leaguer against MacArthur. They have four non-league preseason games before they open up conference play against Bethpage.
The Rams are in Conference AA-3 along with Division, Bethpage, Mepham, Roslyn and Jericho.
“We are back in AA where there’s probably 12 teams that can win the counties. It’s gonna be a dogfight. We told the guys it’s a much tougher process and there’s a lot of great teams in our league alone. Hopefully we get out of the league and back into the playoffs. Just gotta play well. We didn’t play well in the playoffs, that’s why we didn’t win anything.”
