Sean Welsh
Recap of the 2025 Axcess Awards Banquet
Oh what a night! We hosted the 2025 Awards Banquet on Saturday, November 8 at the Hilton Long Island. It was our 5th straight year hosting the event there. We also had one at Villa Lombardi’s and Mediterranean Manor. This was our biggest turnout yet – over 300 guests in the grand ballroom. Below is a rundown of the award recipients. Axcess Man of the Year Powered by LI Field House – Thomas Costarelli, East Islip College Co-Player of the Year Powered by Max Effort Baseball – Sean Welsh, Molloy Liam Daly, SUNY Purchase Lifetime Achievement Award Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm – Mike Pienkos, Chaminade Silver Slugger Award Powered by Tyrus Baseball – John Franco, Farmingdale Cy Young Award Powered by The Arm Academy – Nassau – Victor Acos...
Fall Ball Series Powered by Max Effort Baseball: Molloy University
Over the past five seasons, Molloy has become one of the best Division-II programs in the nation. Their win totals since 2021 are 25, 40, 35, 42 and 35. After coming painstakingly close to reaching the World Series in 2024, they had another strong season in 2025 – winning their fourth ECC Championship in five seasons before losing to Felician in the NCAA East Regional Tournament in the winner-take-all game. From last seasons’s team, they graduated a handful of impact players including their infield of Nicholas Dagnello, Matthew Gonchar, Patrick Sanchez and Aidan Larkin. That group provided some serious punch in the lineup and reliable defense. Dagnello was second on the team with 55 RBIs, Larkin led the team in batting (.373) and hits (82). Additionally, Coach Joe Fucarino spok...
Clarke Returns Several Key Players From County Finalist Team
.801. That’s the winning percentage (474-118) of Clarke HS since Tom Abruscato took over in 1999. They have been the model of consistency in Nassau County and last year was yet another deep playoff run. Including winning the 2019 Nassau County A Championship, they have appeared in the County Finals in each of the past 3 seasons. They were defeated in a best-of-three by Calhoun at Farmingdale State College. From that team, they graduated three All-County players; Sean Welsh (Molloy), Nick Giardino (Miseridcordia) and catcher Jacob Dandic. That will be difficult to replace. Welsh was the Conference MVP – he batted .489 which included 46 hits. That number is second in program history for a single season. Giardino notched 40 hits – which was fifth all-time. They also graduate...
Nick Berasti, Clarke Hold off Plainedge, 8-5
By: Daniel Lopes Clarke Head Coach Tom Abruscato speaks after his teams 8-5 victory over Plainedge on Friday. pic.twitter.com/8glinAsSzK — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 22, 2022 In a tight battle between Nassau Conference A-IV division rivals Clarke and Plainedge, Clarke came out on top with an 8-5 victory at home on Friday morning. Nick Berasti and Ben Ellenport started on the mound for Clarke and Plainedge, respectively, with Berasti earning the victory. After a scoreless top of the first inning, Clarke wasted no time getting on the board, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning within the first three batters. After Nick Giardino and Zaim Deljanin drew walks to start the innings, Sean Welsh found a gap in the opposite field and legged out a two-run triple to give ...
Sean Welsh Strikes Out 9, Goes 3-for-4 in Clarke’s Opening Day Victory Over Island Trees
Final: Clarke 5, Island Trees 2 WP: Sean Welsh S: Nick Giardino pic.twitter.com/OHFVwJvoJK — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 31, 2022 This was the very site of plenty of great battles last season between two high-octane Conference V rivals. After plenty of jostling throughout the regular season and one blowout playoff game, Island Trees took two critical games at Clarke, with their backs firmly against the wall. They were unable to continue that magic from 2021, as the Clarke Rams defeated Island Trees, 5-2, on opening day of the 2022 season after two consecutive cancellations to start the week. Th conditions were awful for pitchers and fielders despite the 57 degree temperatures due to winds gusting at 40+ MPH. A few fly balls were overrun and pitchers struggled with command &#...
Clarke Looks To Defend Their Crown Led by Preseason Player of the Year
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2013, THE CLARKE RAMS ARE COUNTY CHAMPIONS!!!! FINAL: Clarke 7 Division 0 pic.twitter.com/pWdOtzXJB7 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 3, 2019 Despite consistently having the lowest number of students of all the Nassau Class A schools, Clarke has consistently won championships. Since the time head coach Tom Abruscato took over in 1999, the Rams captured County Championships in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013 and most recently, 2019. Additionally, they captured the New York State Championships in 2002 and 2005. During the years 2007-2009, they made it to the County Finals but were knocked out the first two years. No matter how you slice it, the Rams have been one of the premier programs on Long Island for the past two decades. In 2019, they defeated Division ...
