Editor’s Note: This is the seventh installment of the Sunday Spotlight series in which we highlight top performers from the 2026 season. Previously, we featured Matt Kurz, CJ Alfano, Joe Carey, Dylan Weinstein, Joey Karpowicz and Ryan Tullo. Special thanks to Lux Stone Group for sponsoring this year’s series.
Nitsch fires a complete game and Plainedge is the A Nassau County Champion for the first time since 2012! They are 26-0 heading into the LIC pic.twitter.com/hMYpjYUVKm
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 29, 2026
The undefeated season.
It has a special ring to it. So few have been able to achieve it that we remember the schools and year like the back of our hand.
There’s 1994 Division Blue Dragons and their crosstown rival 1996 MacArthur Generals. There’s the 2006 Massapequa Chiefs, 2013 Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms and 2019 Center Moriches Red Devils.
Wouldn’t be appropriate if the latest is another Red Devils.
They will be back in action today in the Class A Long Island Championship against Kings Park, as they are three wins away from a NYS Title. They last won a Long Island Championship in 2012 – in what was an absolute thriller. They defeated Shoreham-Wading River in 12 innings, 3-1, in which both starting pitchers (Tyler Manez for Plainedge & Mike O’Reilly for SWR) each went the distance.
While that will go down in Long Island baseball lore, three more wins will solidify this team’s spot among the pantheon of greats – especially if they can take down Everett Zarzicki in the LIC tonight at 7pm at Farmingdale State College.
This iteration of Plainedge has been led by their outstanding starting pitching duo of Taylor Nitsch and Jaxson Torres. Nitsch, a junior committed to Towson, has a perfect record of 11-0 with a 0.93 ERA and 120 Ks over 60 innings.
His pitching coach, Tyler Levine, had the following to say:
“Taylor is as polished as pitcher as they come. He has an explosive fastball complemented by plus secondary pitches with elite command. He reads swings, understands how to find outs and can navigate a lineup multiple times through without getting exposed, which is rare at this level. From a young age, he always had a vision of where he wanted to be and was willing to put in the work to get there.”
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
When did you begin playing baseball and football? Was it a challenge to juggle two varsity sports?
I started playing baseball when I was one-and-a-half and started football in second grade. I didn’t think it was much of a challenge because my coaches were very flexible and understanding that I played two sports and understood that baseball season was focused on baseball and football season on football.
Who are some people who have had a positive impact on your career?
My parents, family, coaches and friends all positively impacted my career by supporting me and being there for my games.
What did you work on this offseason? Do you work with any private instructors?
I worked on getting stronger and more explosive with my trainer, Tom Tilton. I also worked on tuning up all my pitches with my pitching coach, Tyler Levine.
Tell us about your experience with the college recruiting process and why you chose Towson?
It was a slow process because I played football so all my recruiting was done in the spring of 2025. I chose Towson because they had the best facilities to develop me to get to the next level along with good academics. I also connected well with the coaches.
Going undefeated is a dream for any athlete. When did you know this group would be a special one?
I knew this was going to be a special season when we were all freshmen because of the confidence we had as a group knowing we were all just going to get better.
What does it mean to you to bring home Plainedge’s first county title since 2012?
It means a lot to be apart of a historical team and to do it with all the kids I grew up playing with.
Who are your favorite athletes?
Joe Burrow, Julio Jones and Cam Schlittler
Favorite restaurant on Long Island?
Maroni’s Cuisine
Any pregame superstitions?
I shower before every game and listen to the same pregame music when I warm up.
Best baseball trip you’ve been on?
Going to Arizona last summer and going to Ripken when I was younger.
Favorite app on your phone?
Favorite musical artist?
Kettama
Favorite vacation spot?
Park City, Utah or Aruba
Dream Car?
Bugatti