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To view the full list of 2023 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

2023 Spring Team Preview: Fairfield Prep

FAIRFIELD, Ct. - A state title has eluded Fairfield Prep. Could this be the year of winning the first in school history?

“It all boils down to getting past that first game,” explained veteran head coach Rudy Mauritz, who takes a 231-139 record into his 18th season in charge of the program. “I’ve been doing varsity baseball for 18 years now and coached hockey for 24 years and what I’ve learned is you’ve got to get past that first hurdle. After that, anything can happen.”

Four Division I college commits are back to lead the way for a team that finished 16-8 a year ago, winning the Southern Connecticut Conference Quinnipiac Division for a second consecutive year before losing in the first round of the tournament to a team the Jesuits swept at the beginning of the season.

“We’ve never won state in our school’s history,” Mauritz said. “We’ve been to the state semifinals a couple of times, but never to the finals while I’ve coached.”

The senior pitching trio of Ryan Preisano, Ryan Oshinskie and Andrew Cutler are looking to change that, all returning after throwing “quality innings last year” according to Mauritz. Preisano is a Wake Forest commit; Oshinskie, the 24th-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in New England, is headed to Brown; and Carter to George Washington.

“Those are the main three pitchers, but we have two or three other seniors looking to get innings along with a couple of younger guys, so we’ll have to see how they’ve improved,” Mauritz noted.

Kyle Baudouin and Trey Hartnett, seniors committed to St. Lawrence and Bates, respectively, add depth to the staff that will be helped out by a strong lineup.

Preisano and Mike Iannazzo, the 11th-rated senior shortstop in New England and a Maryland commit, will be somewhere in the infield for Fairfield Prep with returning captain Isaiah Joseph, a left-handed hitter like Iannazzo, back at first base. Tim Domizio is another senior penciled in to play infield for the Jesuits, which must replace Team MVP James Aselta, a third baseman who was the top hitter a year ago and is now at Lafayette.

Catcher Jack Arcamone, who is taking a gap year before playing at Richmond in 2024, is another that must be replaced. Steve Polizzi, the 21st-rated junior catcher in New England, and Evan Scheffler, the 21st-ranked sophomore backstop in New England, are contending for playing time behind the plate.

Center fielder Joe Dilea is now at Siena, but senior Chad Byrd is ready to take over in the middle of the outfield. Seniors Jack Marshall and Lucas Carfi will join Byrd in the outfield.

“This is a really mature group of guys,” Mauritz said. “They’re hungry.”

There is more that the Fairfield Prep mentor likes.

“I’d put our top three pitchers against any team out there,” Mauritz proclaimed. “Ryan Preisano, Iannazzo, Joseph and Marshall are guys looking to drive the ball around the yard this year. I’m really looking forward to seeing how these guys lead and see where they take us.”

Could it be to the top?

“We just have to keep our emotions in check and stay focused,” Mauritz concluded. “I believe this group can do it.”

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