Editor’s Note: This is the ninth installment of the Sunday Spotlight in which we highlight the top performers from the 2026 season. Previously, we highlighted Matt Kurz, Joe Carey, Dylan Weinstein, CJ Alfano, Joey Karpowicz, Ryan Tullo, Taylor Nitsch and Danny Gilroy. Special thanks to Lux Stone Group for sponsoring this year’s series
If there is a perfect person to personify Massapequa it is Anthony DiNello.
A two-sport start on the gridiron and the diamond, DiNello helped lead the Massapequa Chiefs to a Class I Long Island Championship with a thrilling 42-40 victory over Floyd in the fall and then led the Chiefs to the Class AAA NYS Championship on the diamond last week against Liverpool – their first since 2018.
DiNello has received a bevy of accolades including Nassau County’s top linebacker, top defensive player and Long Island’s top defensive player in the fall and All-County, Conference MVP and top Nassau County catcher this season.
While his defensive prowess was well documented, it was his presence in the middle of the lineup that got overlooked.
For the season, he batted .530 with a robust .619 OBP, 1.543 OPS, 6 HRs and 30 RBIs.
The backstop will be headed to SUNY Oswego in the fall as he looks to bring his winning pedigree to the SUNYAC conference. Oswego lost to SUNY Cortland in a best-of-three series for the SUNYAC Championship in May. With a player like DiNello coming in, they will look to get back to their winning ways of 2017 and 2018 when they reached consecutive Division-III College World Series.
I had a chance to speak with him, and here’s what he had to say…
It was an amazing HS career for you between your accomplishments on the football and baseball fields. Looking back, did you achieve all the goals you set for yourself?
I achieved everything I set for and more between both football and baseball. I could’ve never dreamt about the amount of recognition I gained throughout the school year. But none of it came easy. I worked my butt off all offseason to get where I am now.
How were you able to adequately prepare for two sports that take up so much of your time? Was it a tough decision to continue to play both through HS or was that always the plan?
I was able to prepare by separating my time. When it was baseball season it was baseball season and when it was football season it was football season. It would be way too much on my body and my mind to be crossing over the two sports. But all my coaches respected my decision of playing the opposite sport, some tried to pull my leg to quit the other, but in the end, I always knew I wanted to play two sports all the way throughout high school because it’s what I loved to do. I would often get asked what is my favorite port and the answer would always be “whatever season I’m in.”
Explain your experience with the college recruiting process and why you chose Oswego?
The college recruiting process was a very interesting process for me as it was for many of my other teammates. We would spend most of our summers away at tournaments all looking to end up at a school that is a perfect fit. Personally, I couldn’t be happier about Oswego, I’m so excited to join their baseball program and be a Laker.
Massapequa is really a school of champions across all sports. You’ve had a chance to experience it first hand, how do they continue to do it year-after-year?
It’s a common theme at Massapequa. Most schools have a historic year, lose most of their seniors, and are back at the bottom of the conference the next year. But for Massapequa, all underclassmen put in just as much work as all the older kids to achieve the same goal. They learn from the upperclassmen and can’t wait to succeed. They wait their turn, and they know their turn is coming. The younger kids aren’t all pouty because they’re on the bench for a year or two. When they’re young, they look up to the older kids, learn and reload when the seniors leave. So Massapequa has it different; we reload eery year no matter what sport.
Do you work with any private instructors?
I’ve tried many hitting coaches throughout my years as a baseball player. The one that I always came back to that works for me is Matt Donofrio, he works out of his garage and backyard in a house in Massapequa. He gives all the right drills, gives the confidence I need and knows what to tell me at the right time. It’s safe to say I give a lot of my success to him.
Who are some people who have had a positive impact on your career?
My parents had a huge impact on my baseball career in so many different ways. Like I mentioned before, I would spend most of my summers out of state, and I can count on my fingers how many games they’ve missed over the past five years. They would dedicate all their time, effort and money into making me the best I can be.
Who are your favorite professional athletes?
Buster Posey and Breece Hall.
Which pitchers that you faced this season were you most impressed with?
Braeden Burke, we saw him in the state semifinal. He has very good stuff with good, late action.
Favorite movie?
Dark Knight
Favorite restaurant on Long Island?
Mama’s in Copiague
Favorite musical artist?
Bruno Mars and Zach Bryan
Favorite app on your phone?
TikTok
Any pregame superstitions?
I can’t play without my headband
Favorite vacation spot?
Punta Cana
Dream Car?
Lamborghini Urus