An in-depth look at the Xaverian Clippers

CHSAA baseball beat writer Dylan Butler breaks down top-seeded Xaverian in advance of Friday’s CHSAA Class AA championship tournament title game at Kaiser Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University.

Xaverian

Nickname: Clippers

Head coach: Lou Piccola

Record: 20-2

Batting order: SS Antonio Nunez, LF Bob McKenna, 1B Kevin Martir, C Elvin Soto, DH Tommy Midolo, 3B Eric Kalman, RF Victor Bautista, 2B Domingo Sosa, CF Gabe Hernandez, P Anthony Pastrana (not hitting)

Key reserves: PH Sal Taormina, RP John Pena, P Blaise Scerbo

Team notes: Xaverian has won six CHSAA Class AA titles – 1990, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2008 … The Clippers earned the top seed in the Class AA championship tournament by beating Iona Prep and Monsignor Farrell in the seeding round … Famous baseball alums include Rich Aurilia, Pedro Beato and Ruddy Lugo.

Denis Gostev

Anthony Pastrana will start for Xaverian in Friday night's title game.

Denis Gostev

Kevin Martir is one of Xaverian's most dangerous hitters.

SCOUTING REPORT

(from league coach under condition of anonymity)

“The major problem is their team speed. They’re very good fastball hitters and you must keep the table setters off the bases because their 3-6 hitters are strong. Breaking balls for strikes early in counts is a key. All Hallows can’t walk any batters and they can’t make errors. Xaverian is tough to steal on, but if they have a weakness, it is defensively in the infield where they can kick the ball around. The outfield all have above average arms. Their pitching is good, but they don’t have a starter who will blow you away. They can be scored on, but if they take the lead, it’s usually over.”

PLAYER CAPSULES

Antonio Nunez

Year: Senior

Position: Shortstop

Notes: A prototypical leadoff batter, Nunez has a great eye and patience, is a solid hitter and has 14 stolen bases … Nunez walked three times and scored in a 6-4 win against division foe Archbishop Molloy on June 3 … Defensively, the senior has what Piccola calls a “Major League arm.”

Piccola’s take: “He’s a game changer, both offensively and defensively. He’s got great range, gets on bases and steals bases. He makes things happen.”

Bob McKenna

Year: Senior

Position: Left field

Notes: A rags to riches story, McKenna was on the varsity ‘Blue’ team a year ago, but not only worked his way onto the ‘Gold’ squad, he bats second and starts in left field … Exploded in the seeding round, went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against Iona Prep and had a two-run double against Monsignor Farrell … Nickname is “The Doctor.”

Piccola’s take: “He’s very underrated. He’s got a lot of big hits for us. He’s in the perfect spot, can do a lot of different things – bunt, hit-and-run, occasionally steal a base – and he doesn’t make mistakes in left field.”