As things stand, the Blue Waves are looking at an all-senior starting pitching rotation of Steve Kimmelman, Mike Napoli and Greg Zilnicki. On top of that, they have a stacked bullpen with Jamie Fox, Nick Rank, Bryan Palermo, Glenn Patriss and Gordon Demchuk, from which a closer will emerge.

"I think we have one of the better pitching staffs in our league," Riverhead's new coach, Bob Maccone, said. "We have three quality starters with four, five quality relievers, and any one of those five kids can start."

Kimmelman, Napoli and Zilnicki all saw action on the mound last year. Napoli was a member of the starting rotation.

Asked if that threesome of right-handers will be starting, Maccone replied: "Nothing's set in stone until you get into the season, but that's where we're leaning as of now. They're throwing fine. They were big components last year, so we're going to lean on them first and see were we go from there."

Maccone added, "If they throw the way they're capable of, we'll be in every game."

Napoli has added speed to his fastball, with a four-seamer in the mid-80s, and his curveball has improved, said Maccone. Kimmelman, who has committed to play for Post College (Conn.) next season, has worked on his changeup and raised his velocity to 87 mph. Zilnicki is a rubber-armed junkball pitcher with a fastball that dives in and out.

"You need good pitching if you want to contend," Palermo, who will play for St. Lawrence University (N.Y.) after graduating high school, said after a workout last Thursday night at the Pulaski Street School. "As long as we throw strikes, we should be really good."

Undoubtedly, the Blue Waves will have their hands full in Suffolk County League IV, where the Half Hollow Hills West Colts and Smithtown West Bulls are regarded as the top dogs.

Last year the Blue Waves lost their final two regular-season games and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They finished with an 8-10 record.

"Awful," Kimmelman said when asked about last season's showing. "It was a big disappointment, very disappointing."

Palermo agreed. "It was definitely disappointing toward the end of the year," he said. "I felt we had a good team and could have done better."

This year, however, Maccone believes the Blue Waves have what it takes to be a playoff team, with 10 seniors and 11 varsity veterans. He isn't the only one, either.

"I think we're up there with the best," Palermo said. "We're working really hard, and I have high expectations for my teammates and I expect a lot, so I think we should be good."

bliepa@timesreview.com

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