Garden City, N.Y. - In what he calls one of the deepest recruiting classes in recent years, head coach Dom Scala of the Adelphi University baseball team will welcome nine newcomers to the Panther dugout next spring in the class of 2023.
"Once again, coach Bill Ianniciello has worked very hard in finding the right players that fit into our program," Scala said. "He knows that I also like to bring in great student-athletes. These players will give us sufficient depth in all positions. I look forward to working with them."
Eight of the nine players hail from the state of New York, with seven coming from the Long Island or New York City metro area.
Stephen Proko (Bayville, N.Y.)
A native of Bayville, N.Y. Proko is a product of Locust Valley High School and the Nexgen Elite travel squad. Standing at 6-foot, the right-handed pitcher earned All-League honors, as well as being a member of the Perfect Game All Tournament team. Proko was the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award, in addition to the Scholar Athlete Award from Locust Valley.
Scala on Proko: "Steve has the stuff to break the rotation as a freshman. He came to us via LIU Post. He felt that his future would be better suited for Adelphi baseball. I feel he will be a major player for us in the future."
Jacob Dannenberg (Middle Island, N.Y.)
Coming out of Longwood High School, the 6-foot right hander is expected to add depth to the Panther bullpen next season. As well as pitching for Team Beast East 2019, Dannenberg has been a three-year varsity athlete for the Longwood Lions squad.
Off the field, Dannenberg shows tremendous effort in the classroom as a four-year scholar athlete, as well as appearing on the high honor roll all four years.
Scala on Dannenberg: "Jacob is someone who has what it takes to compete and be successful when he comes in next year. He has good poise and can paint the corner with his slider. I look forward to having him on the staff."
Henry Friedrich (Rye, N.Y.)
A native of Rye, N.Y. out of Rye High School, Friedrich is a catcher and first baseman traveled with the Bayside Yankees, in addition to the Garnets of Rye High School. Friedrich appeared on the Honor Roll during his high school career, as well as being named Baseball Heaven's Most Valuable Player.
Scala on Friedrich: "Henry is a very versatile player. He has great hands behind the plate, blocks well with an above average arm, and has quick feet which helps his pop time. He will also see some time at first base if needed. Offensively, he can put the ball in play with great hand-eye coordination."
John Delaney (Islip, N.Y.)
Delaney, a 6-foot shortstop, will come to Garden City next year out of Islip High School. In addition to playing for the Buccaneers, Delaney was also a member of the Long Island Junior Ducks travel team.
As a sophomore, Delaney was a member of the All-League team, as well as Academic All-League in his junior campaign. In that season, the shortstop was also named to the prestigious Newsday Top 100 list.
Scala on Delaney: "John is a coach's player. He has great work habits, and is tall and slender. He will benefit from our strength and conditioning training. He also has sure hands, which is critical to be an Adelphi shortstop. When he gets stronger, his hitting will be more powerful. He has a great no-nonsense attitude."
Jose Matos (Coram, N.Y.)
A 5-7 combination player at catcher and the middle infield, Matos will join the Panthers from Longwood with his high school teammate Dannenberg.
The two-time All-League selection has been a varsity member of the Lions for three years and a member of the Long Island Strong travel team. Matos has also shown excellence in the classroom in his high school career, appearing on the High Honor Roll.
Scala on Matos: "Jose is kid that looks like he loves to play the game. He plays with a smile on his face, which shows confidence. He is a tremendous line drive hitter, and blocks and receives well. He can also play second base as well."
Anthony Cipri (Middle Village, N.Y.)
Cipri hails from Middle Village in Queens, out of Archbishop Molloy High School. The 5-10 infielder was also a product of the Bayside Yankees travel team. At Molloy, Cipri was the Junior Varsity Coaches Award recipient, as well as being named the Diamond Nation tournament Most Valuable Player.
Scala on Cipri: "I have a long history with Anthony. He attended my summer camps when he was five years old and was good enough to play with the 7-year-olds. He stayed ahead of his peers at Molloy and will compete for a spot to play during the 2019 season. Anthony has great hands and can turn the double play. He also has great instincts that cannot be taught. He hits the ball to all fields and with hard work in the weight room, he will be a tough out."
Matthew Alifano (Center Moriches, N.Y.)
Standing at 6-foot-1, Matthew Alifano will join the Panthers as a third baseman. Hailing from Center Moriches in Suffolk County, Alifano won a state championship last season at Center Moriches High School.
The third baseman also garnered All-League and All-Academic honors during his high school campaign. In addition, Alifano played the infield for the East Coast Lumberjack travel team.
Scala on Alifano: "Matt reminds me of Brett Malm coming in as a freshman: great hands and feet, and a strong arm at third base. I immediately saw one swing and said, 'I have to get this kid.' He hit a ball about 370-feet to right center field."
Nick Gavilla (Melville, N.Y.)
A 5-foot-9 outfielder, Gavilla is a product of the Half Hollow Hills East Thunderbirds, playing the outfield. In his career, he has been named to the All-League Team, in addition to being a Scholar Athlete and MVP Beast travel squad.
Scala on Gavilla: "I can see Nick as a top of the order player with a slasher stroke. He is one of the fastest players we have had since Cliff Brantley ('14), who was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. He can get to almost every ball in the outfield, and he is another kid with passion for the game."
Tommy O'Sullivan (Fort Pierce, Fla.)
Hailing from Fort Pierce, Fla. and standing at 6-foot, O'Sullivan joins the Panthers from John Carrol High School. As a reliever in his junior season, O'Sullivan posted a sub-1.00 ERA and held opponents to a .181 batting average. The right-hander also plays travel baseball for Evoshield Prime 2019.
Scala on O'Sullivan: "Tommy was brought to my attention by my baseball colleague for many years, Phil Regan. Phil was a professional player and scout for over 50 years, so of course I had to listen. Tommy's family is originally from Rockville Centre and expressed a huge desire to play at Adelphi. He came to my camp in June and opened my eyes with his poise. He was only 16 at the time and we all felt his future was unlimited."
About Adelphi Athletics
A regionally and nationally competitive NCAA Division II institution located in Garden City, N.Y., Adelphi University has been a proud member of the Northeast-10 Conference since 2009.
Winners of 16 NCAA Division II National Championships and four NE10 Presidents' Cups, Panther athletes have excelled at the conference, regional and national level, both on the field of play and in the classroom. In turn, the Adelphi athletic department is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, equity and success where its student-athletes can thrive both on campus and off.
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