The St. Aidan’s Middle School baseball team celebrated its inaugural baseball season with a season ending pizza party on Friday, June 3, at the St. Aidan’s Parish gym. The players and their parents gathered for some fun and friendship as they recounted the highlights of the first baseball season in St. Aidan’s Middle School history.
The Stallions of St. Aidan’s finished with four wins and six losses in the competitive Catholic Middle School Athletic Association (CMSAA). The team played powerhouses such as Kellenberg Latin School in Uniondale and St. Agnes in Rockville Centre. Manager Ken Solosky was proud and pleased with his team’s performance. 
“The decision to field a middle school baseball team was made just before the Catholic Middle School season started and we had to hustle to get in just a few practices before opening day. Most of the teams we played have been around for years and benefit from year-round training,” Solosky said. “Our team, in just a few weeks, showed they could compete at this very elite level.”
The 2016 St. Aidan’s team was managed by Ken Solosky, along with George Poarch and St Aidan’s alumni Liam O’Gara and Kenny Solosky. The roster players were Patrick Solosky, Will Cavallaro, Kevin Megan, Stephen Poarch, Joe Dellolio, Liam Higgins, Sean O’Hara, Matt O’Leary, Jack O’Sullivan, Aidan Scott, Aidan Tice, Brian Wood, Henry Villa, Colin Fisch, Joe Franzini, Liam Cooke, Jack Mackay and Chris Marotta.
The night began with a pizza dinner and the boys were then treated to an inspirational talk given by Bob Hazelton, Chaminade High School junior varsity basketball coach. Hazelton chronicled the success of three of his student-athletes that were much like the St. Aidan’s players in front of him. These three athletes went on to tremendous success in life. These players were not the most talented athletes he ever coached, but rather demonstrated other characteristics that made them great—determination, preparation and attitude.
After Hazelton’s brief talk, the players thanked their parents by presenting their dads with a baseball keychain and their moms with a flower to thank them for their dedication and support. Finally, each player received a “game ball” and a certificate for participating in the inaugural season of St. Aidan’s baseball. The team was grateful for the support and thanked St. Aidan’s School Principal Eileen Oliver and middle school sports coordinator Helene Pacher.
When asked to sum up their season, most players simply said “fun.” The boys really enjoyed playing for their school with their friends. Solosky proudly proclaimed what he saw as the team’s greatest achievement; one of his players told him the seventh- and eighth-grade boys had become friends largely as a result of St. Aidan’s baseball.
—Submitted by St. Aidan’s Baseball
