Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
Matt Kriss is the new Islip varsity head coach. He was previously assistant under RJ Going. He is a 2009 graduate of Islip pic.twitter.com/uMyxHmYOIz
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 13, 2026
After five seasons as the assistant coach of the Islip Buccaneers, head coach Matt Kriss is stepping into the role of head coach for the 2026 season, replacing R.J. Going, who stepped down after coaching the Bucs for the past seven seasons.
“When coach Going stepped down, they said the job was mine if I wanted it.” Kriss said. “I absolutely jumped on it. I’m an alumni here, I graduated here in 2009, and I work here, so it was an opportunity I was definitely going to take.
Kriss is taking over a Buccaneers team that finished 10-10 last year, with an 8-10 record in league play. Unfortunately for Islip, they narrowly missed out on the playoffs, finishing fifth in the conference.
“We had a really solid group of leaders.” Kriss said. “We graduated 11 seniors which is a big challenge, we had a lot of very talented players that departed last year, so we’re kind of starting from the ground up this year.”
A number of those seniors are continuing their playing careers at the college level. AJ Giel is playing at SUNY Old Westbury, Dylan Ruland is playing at Mercy College, Pat O’Shea is playing at Suffolk Community College and Collin Haug, who is at a prep school after graduating from Islip last year, is committed to playing at Boston College next fall.
Haug led the team with a .905 OPS, he knocked 3 homers and drove in 13 runs.
AJ Giel (Islip 2025) commits to SUNY Old Westbury @LongIslandCrew pic.twitter.com/vpcIUU58uO
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 7, 2024
When it comes to key returning players, at the very top of the list is John Zembrzycki. Over the last two years, Zembrzycki has been the starting catcher for the Buccaneers, but Kriss hopes that Zembrzycki can do multiple things this season.
“He’s going to be stepping up as a middle of the order guy.” Kriss said. “He also might play infield and be one of our three starters on the mound. He works hard, he’s been with us since he was a freshman, and he takes up a leadership role.”
The Bucs will go from 11 seniors last year to only one, with Liam Quinn being the only member of the 2026 Islip team graduating at the conclusion of the season. Outside of Quinn and Zembrzycki, nearly the entirety of the rest of the team is newcomers. Junior catcher Anthony DeVita. With Zembrzycki potentially wearing more hats this year, DeVita could see time behind the plate.
‘26 OF/C Collin Haug (Islip)
No. 20 OF in NY at 5-11, 180. Drives in a couple runs here with an RBI knock into LF. Has recorded 60YD times as quick as 6.78 with EVs up to 99MPH. Bat speed reaches 77MPH via @Blast_Bsbl.#NESummerChampionships | @USG_Baseball | @CollinCH27 pic.twitter.com/zq2fxLi5oq
— Prep Baseball Scouting (@pbtscouting) June 21, 2025
“He’s a tough kid.” Kriss said. “He got some experience last year, but he’ll be behind the plate for us for the 2026 season. He’s going to be somewhere in the middle of the lineup for us this year.”
Shane Bowe, a sophomore, will be one of the three starting pitchers for the Buccaneers this season. Bowe will also play the outfield. Making up the left side of the infield will be Liam Ryan and Bryce Newman. Ryan and Newman are sophomores and freshman respectively, and Kriss hopes they will become staples of Islip for years to come.
“They’re young but I’m excited to see what they’re going to bring this year.” Kriss said. “They were up and down last year. Bryce was an eighth grader and he’ll be able to take over primarily at shortstop this year.”
With a very small returning class, the Bucs will rely on breakout players this year. Regardless, Kriss believes the strength of his team comes from their fundamentals and baseball IQ.
“We have to do all the right things in the right spots.” Kriss said. “At this moment, there are a bunch of relatively unknown players in the league, but I think we’re going to shock a bunch of people this year.
The Islip Buccaneers will open non-league play on March 30 against Comsewogue, and their first league game will be on April 7 against Miller Place.
