Player Profiles: Wantagh Baseball Seniors

The baseball lost several key players from last year's New York State finalist team but its five returning seniors are focused on generating some more Warrior postseason magic in 2011.

Wantagh is off to a 5-1 start early this season heading into a pair of games with South Side this coming Monday and Wednesday. Wantagh's five seniors recently met with Wantagh-Seaford Patch’s Jason Pollak about their goals for 2011 and beyond.

Ryan Sliwak- second baseman

Patch
What are your expectations for this season?

Sliwak
Our talent level last year can’t be repeated. We have to work twice as hard. Our goal is always the same though. It’s always to get to the county championship, so that is what we are going to try to do.

Patch
How do you feel you contribute to this team?

Sliwak
I contribute any way I can. I try to move guys over and get on base. My job has not really changed that much from last year. It’s just other kids stepping up and taking the place of the kids that left.

Patch
Do you feel as though you have become more of a leader this year with everyone leaving?

Sliwak
I definitely do. I just hope to step in and do what I did last year. I want to lead by example so they can follow what we do. Hopefully I’m someone that they look up to and want to follow in my footsteps.

Patch
How did you get into baseball?

Sliwak
I played baseball most of my life. My dad and grandpa are probably the biggest influences in my life and baseball. They are the ones that got me started. I used to talk to my grandfather before and after every game.

Patch
How did they help you become a better player?

Sliwak
They always told me there were certain things I needed in order to be successful. They were stay focused and concentration. My grandfather used to tell me that every time I called him, before and after the conversation was over.

Patch
What are your future plans after high school?

Sliwak
I’m looking at a couple of places. It’s down to Stony Brook, Albany, Tampa and a few others. I am probably going to go into communications, hopefully something sports related.

Mike Rumel- center fielder

Patch
How are you taking charge as a senior and leader on this team?

Rumel
I am going to try to be a leader in the outfield. As a center fielder, I am responsible for everyone in the outfield. We have to make sure we communicate at the wall and know where we are at all times. I think it will just take some practice time on the field in order for us to figure that out. I have a big role this year as I have to take the place of the guys that left last year. They were great leaders. I am just going to try to follow in their footsteps and just try to play my best.

Patch
What do you feel you bring to your team?

Rumel
I think I bring speed and hard work. I try to lead by example. I am the type that tries to get the energy going. I think that is important for us.

Patch
What is your background in baseball? How did you get into soccer as well?

Rumel
I played both sports as a kid. I was lucky enough to have time to play both. I used to play travel and just worked hard at both sports.

Patch
Do you think your soccer background has helped you become a better baseball player?

Rumel
I feel as though baseball is more mental and soccer is more physical. I think you need to have both qualities in both sports. They both help each other out. I try I learn from each sport and combine them together.

Patch
What are some personal and team expectations for this year?

Rumel
I would like to boost my average and other stats. Basically I just want us to play well and make the playoffs.

Patch
What are your aspirations for after high school?

Rumel
I am attending St. Josephs in Philadelphia. I am going to play soccer there. I will try out for the baseball team, so we will see what happens.

James Kalendarian- third baseman

Patch
What are you looking to accomplish this year?

Kalendarian
We have been working hard all winter. I would like us to get to the county championships. We are just going to take it one game at a time.

Patch
How did you prepare for the season?

Kalendarian
I worked on footwork and agility. I have been working hard since fall to get ready for this season. I have been lifting more weights, running a lot and conditioning. I feel as though I’m fairly ready for this season.

Patch
What are your plans for after high school?

Patch
I would like to play baseball in college. We will see how that goes. I want to major in engineering.

Nick Frendo- first baseman

Patch
How did you start playing baseball?

Frendo
It was my grandfather’s favorite sport, so that had something to do with it. I have been playing since I was 7. I started playing for my first travel team when I was 10.

Patch
How did you prepare for the season?

Frendo
Just non-stop work all winter. I did a lot of agility drills and went to the gym a lot.

Patch
What are some of your expectations for the upcoming season?

Frendo
I hope we can repeat what we did last year and make the New York State Championships again. I want to try to fill in roles that were left over from all of the seniors that left from last year.

Patch
How has football helped with your baseball game?

Frendo
It is non-stop working. That work ethic translates over to baseball. Football keeps you thinking positive, I think that is important in baseball. The mentality to work and play hard is important as well.

Patch
What are your plans for after high school?

Frendo
I would like to play football or baseball. I definitely want to go to college for education. I think I want to get into accounting.

Shaun Milito- starting pitcher

Patch
Is there any pressure in dealing with a brand new starting rotation?

Milito
We have some big shoes to fill. We have been working hard since the fall knowing that we would be coming into this season without any starters from last year. We knew we would have to be the guys. We just had to step up our game.

Patch
How did you prepare?

Milito
All the pitchers have been long tossing since October together. We have held open gyms twice a week also.

Patch
How have you stepped up your game from last year?

Milito
I worked on a bunch of a new pitches. I worked on change ups and also added a knuckle drop. I also worked on improving my fastball.

Patch
What are your aspirations for after high school?

Milito
I want to go to college to get a good education. I think I want to major in criminal justice.