KINGSTON, N.Y. — Kingston High baseball coach Rob Parisian won a Section 9 baseball title as a rookie coach in 2023 when the Tigers got hot down the stretch. Parisian’s club couldn’t repeat last season as the Tigers bats went cold at the wrong time as Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) right-hander Chase Rounds blanked the Tigers 3-0 in the Class AAA championship game at Cantine Field in Saugerties.
Although 2024 Freeman Pitcher of the Year Derek Constance has graduated, Parisian believes he has enough talent in 2025 to bring back the Section 9 hardware to Kingston High. The Tigers are scheduled to open the season at 4:15 p.m. on Monday at Valley Central, but the weather forecast isn’t too promising.
Parisian is feeling good about his team’s chances to improve on last year’s 10-12 campaign for several reasons. First and foremost, he is confident that his pitching is in good hands whenever Jake Martino and Preston Provenzano take the mound.
“Jake and Preston were solid for me last year,” Parisian said in an interview following a practice at the Gruner Field in Lake Katrine. “The only reason Jake wasn’t my No. 1 pitcher last year was because I had Derek (Constance) on the mound. Jake is looking stronger this year. His stamina is up. All his stuff seems to be working. Both of those guys have three or four pitches that they can throw at any given moment. Preston’s breaking stuff is just off the charts right now.”
Martino said his goal is to keep his earned run average under 2.00 this season.
“I’m looking forward to the season,” Martino said. “I think my best pitch was a slider last year and this year I’ve worked on my splitter and I’m throwing it a lot harder. I think my best pitch this year will probably be my fastball.”
Parisian said his pitching staff is very deep.
“Behind them I have eight or nine guys to go to,” he said. “I’m looking at Matt Martin to be my No. 3 starter. I have Matt Montano from last year, who held us down for some real good innings. Jack Noe has been looking really good in the bullpen sessions.”
Landon Van Gaasbeck could fill the closer’s role for the Tigers. Gavin Culjak has also been looking good in practice, Parisian said.
The infield looks pretty solid, too, according to Parisian. When Martino isn’t pitching, he’ll start at first base. Jack Purvis will also play first.
Parisian said second base will be manned by Provenzano and Wade Holsapple, Martin and Declan McDermott are vying for the starting position at shortstop and Culjak will play third.
Jonas Miller is expected to be the starting catcher and Kaden Deibert will also log some time behind the plate, the KHS coach said.
Montano, Van Gaasbeck and Bradyn Parise will man the outfield, according to Parisian.
Noe is versatile and can play any infield or outfield position, Parisian said.
“I’m pleasantly surprised with what I’ve seen from our guys swinging the bats,” Parisian said. “We have some holes to fill in the lineup from guys who graduated last year, but some of the younger guys are stepping up and filling those gaps really well.”
Montano said the Tigers are hoping to get back to the sectional final and get the job done this year.
“We really started off slow last year, but we came together as a team at the end,” Montano said. “We had a big win (in a semifinal playoff game) at Pine Bush and it gave us a lot of energy going into the championship game against Newburgh. We couldn’t come through. But that’s why we’re here working every day to get back to that position.”
Provenzano said the team’s attitude has been excellent preparing for the upcoming season.
“We have a really good group of juniors coming back,” he said. “We have depth with a lot of pitching and hitting. So I think we’re going to be really competitive this year.”
Culjak said the Tigers are looking to make amends for last year’s loss to Newburgh in the title game.
“I think we should have won it last year,” Culjak said.
Parisian said after two years at the helm, he feels more confident than ever in his ability to replace former coach Mike Groppuso, who built an impressive record before retiring as coach.
“This year these guys coming in are buying into the program I’m running instead of the program that I inherited,” Parisian said. “I think that’ll have a big impact on what we’ll see on the field. I have 15 guys here who are all on the same page.”
Parisian said the Tigers have a “real good shot” to reclaim the Section 9 title.
“I have 11 or 12 guys that can play the field on any given day,” he said. “That’s something in high school baseball that you need.”
