Although there may still be snow on the ground, the Plainedge Varsity baseball team has started to get to work and chase their goal of a championship.
Plainedge’s ball club is built on various, hardworking athletes as well as four players who will go on to play collegiate baseball. After catching up with Plainedge’s corner infielders; third basemen Anthony Misciagna and first basemen Vin Aschentino, it was a clear preview of the high energy that Plainedge has entering this season.
Anthony Misciagna and Vin Aschentino—now returning for their second varsity season—are amplified for what their final season in a Plainedge uniform has in store. Besides their talent, these corner infielders have a lot to bring to the team.
“To make sure everyone is working hard and being a leader; setting an example for the upcoming players,” said Misciagna and Aschentino jointly on their roles as senior players.
These young men hold themselves with great pride on and off of the baseball field. Their efforts to not only be great baseball players, but also great leaders will encourage Plainedge in their long season to rise to the top.
Misciagna has loved the game of baseball his whole life and his work ethic is like that of no other high school athlete. His daily routine is sleep, eat, school and baseball.
“This offseason I have worked on becoming stronger, faster, as well as enhancing my footwork and arm strength,” he said of his workout regimen, which also includes days of either the gym, hitting in the batting cage or fielding.
Misciagna is extending his baseball career another four years at Eastern Nazarene College in Massachusetts. Although he is excited to fulfill his dream of playing college baseball, he still wants to bring home a championship to Plainedge.
“This season I want to be remembered as the guy who gets the big hit in a big spot. When we need a big hit, I’m the guy,” Misciagna said with confidence. “I strive under pressure and that is the role I want to take on.”
As for the man across the infield, Aschentino’s anticipation for his senior season is one-of-a-kind as it is a new feeling of excitement for him.
“This being my last season as a Plainedge Red Devil is an unbearable feeling,” he said. “This season is so different from my junior and sophomore season because as a senior, I’ve found my role on the team and that is to be a leader and perform to my best ability in order to set an example.”
Last season Aschentino had many remarkable performances and there is no doubt that he will do the same this year.
“I’ve been working on my fielding by keeping the ball in front of me and perfecting scooping the ball. My mentality this year is absolutely no errors,” he said.
As Aschentino enters this season in the heart of Plainedge’s line up, he plans on staying in that spot by continuously getting on base and driving runs home. With his powerful swing, it is obvious that he will also be playing ball in college. Next fall he will take his talents to DeSales University in Pennsylvania. But before he leaves to play at the next level, Plainedge is in store for some exhilarating baseball.
These two corners are well aware that they cannot win a championship by themselves and both emphasized the team’s chemistry.
“Unlike other teams, this team has no cliques. We all work together and we have new goals from last year and we are setting the bar higher,” said Misciagna. In addition Misciagna emphasized the term “buy in.”
“Everyone on the team must know what our goals are, know their roles and be on the same page as one another to strive for greatness. That is what buying in is,” he said.
The Plainedge baseball club has “bought in” early this season on what they must do to win and that is what will make them successful this season.
Aschentino is also a huge supporter of team chemistry, and stated that it’s the small things that takes a team a long way.
“We have so many returning players and that gives us the upper hand over the teams in our conference,” he said. “We are all best friends who have been playing together our whole lives. My teammates are my best friends.”
The 2015 season for Plainedge baseball will be like no other; as corners, Anthony Misciagna and Vin Aschentino make it clear that major success is on the way. In addition to Misciagna and Aschentino, the roster also includes players Ryan McGrane, Luke Lospitalier and all-star shortstop James Mendyk, who will be playing baseball at LIU Post come next fall.
This Plainedge squad has many pieces in place to become a championship caliber team. A group of unique athletes who are driven on passion, talent and love for the game of baseball will display a rousing season for all of Massapequa to follow.
