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Pitching, Depth Are Strengths For Westhill

STAMFORD, Ct. - The immediate future appears to be bright for the Westhill baseball program.

“We have a good group this year with some strong arms,” noted head coach Mike Riveles. “Four or five are pretty good.”

The concern is a lack of experience gained in 2020.

“Last year was going to be a rebuilding year for us,” admitted Riveles, who missed out on his initial season in charge of the Westhill program after the campaign was canceled due to Covid. “We were going to have five or six sophomores as starters. We might have taken our lumps, but it would have been nice to  have a season to give these guys more than three years varsity experience.”

Craig Ottaviano is the “potential ace” on the mound according to Riveles with Kyle Kipp the number two starter. Ottaviano, a 6-4 right-hander ranked 30th in New England in the 2022 class, is committed to Northeastern while Kipp is the 13th-rated RHP among those in the 2023 class in the area.

The number three role is “up for grabs” pointed out Riveles, with sophomore right-hander Eric Osterhus in contention. Two-way players Christian Rubino-Chuckas and Jake Benner will also see time on the mound, with Benner the likely closer. Rubino-Chuckas is a senior ranked 60th among 2021 shortstops in New England while Benner is the ninth-rated 2022 third baseman.

Ryan Ebright, the number 60 ranked left-handed senior pitcher in New England, adds depth as well as a potential first baseman along with Ottaviano. Wyatt Lisack, the 37th-rated junior third baseman, is another looking to earn time at corner infield.

More help comes from Connor McGee, a senior transfer after Trinity High School closed who is ranked 19th among 2021 third basemen.

“We’ll have to see where he fits in,” Riveles said of the 6-4, 190-pounder who can also pitch.

Connor Sullivan and Mike Edwards are juniors competing for playing time at catcher, Sullivan ranked 47th among 2022 backstops and Edwards 79th.

Speedster Mike Petersen, the 23rd-rated junior outfielder in New England who runs a 6.59 in the 60, is penciled in to play center field. The left-handed hitting top-of-the-order Petersen is getting looks from Ivy League schools.

Nick Montagnese (No. 54 junior outfielder) is a “scrappy guy that gets dirty and fights at the plate” type that will also see time in the outfield. Cole Glatzhofer (No. 56 junior outfielder), Ethan Skaug (No. 13 senior second baseman) and Edwards are others with potential in the outfield according to Riveles.

“The chemistry is incredible between these kids,” pointed out Riveles. “The kids are all solid and their academics are amazing. They’re role-model student-athletes in the community and very proud to represent the program.”

Missing last year just adds to the excitement according to the Westhill mentor.   

“They’re hungry to go out and compete,” Riveles said. “It’s a tight-knit group that’s been playing together for awhile.”

The battle for league supremacy in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference will be a good one in the eyes of Riveles.

“Staples for the last five years has been the team to beat, but everyone can win,” Riveles said of the FCIAC. “There’s never a clear favorite.”

Westhill last won the regular season title in 2017 before losing to eventual state champion Staples in the semifinals.

“The depth of this team mirrors that of our 2017 team,” noted Riveles, whose 2018 Vikings featured two players that were drafted.

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