Of the eight leagues in Suffolk County high school baseball, none was more competitive over the first month than League VI, which saw all seven teams record at least three wins in April and first through fourth place separated by only one game.

Islip, coached by former grad and player RJ Going, was one of the frontrunners as the calendar flipped to May, thanks in large part to experience and strong fundamentals.

“We have 11 seniors and a bunch of them are on varsity four or three years,” said Going, who along with assistant coach Matt Kriss, were on three Buccaneers county championship teams starting in 2007 when they captured a state title. “It’s a close-knit group and they’re hungry to get back to the playoffs and go as far as they can,” he said. “It’s a fun bunch of kids to be around, and we always look to make life difficult for opponents.”

After missing the playoffs last spring, going 7-11 in League VI, Islip doesn’t want to be on the outside looking in once the Class A postseason begins in a few weeks. Ten league wins are required to qualify for the county tournament, and the Buccaneers were sitting at 7-4 with seven games remaining.

“We’re in, pound for pound, the hardest league to win in Suffolk,” Going said. “Every game is a fight. You can’t afford to have multiple bad weeks if you want to finish on top.”

Senior southpaw Dylan Broschart has served as their catalyst on the mound, allowing just two earned runs in 27 innings. He plays left field when he’s not mowing down batters. “We feel we can beat anyone when he’s pitching,” Going said. “I’ve been amazed on how well he’s locked in and been able to make adjustments.”

Seniors Dylan Ruland, the team’s cleanup hitter and all-league first baseman, and Alex Rahner follow Broschart in the starting rotation, and doing a nice job as well, Going said.

Two-time all-league selection Collin Haug, who missed last season with an injury, is catching and playing right field. “He’s a gifted athlete and one of the fastest kids around,” Going said.

Haug typically hits in the two-hole behind tone-setting fourth-year starting centerfielder Lou Poulos. The senior lefty stick covers plenty of real estate in the outfield and has an outstanding arm that’s come in handy in relief. “Lou is the vocal leader and heart and soul of our team,” Going said.

Senior AJ Giel has stepped up as the starting shortstop after playing the hot corner and second base previously. He anchors the infield defense, along with senior Jake Urban at third and senior Greg McSweeney at second. Urban and senior Pat O’Shea led a 19-hit parade on May 1 as Islip blew out Rocky Point, 18-2.

Three of Islip’s wins have been by one or two runs. Broschart starred in a 1-0 victory over Shoreham-Wading River on April 8, striking out nine in the shutout and scoring the game’s lone run. Haug homered and drove in four runs on April 16 as the Bucs beat Miller Place, 9-7, and O’Shea’s two-run triple was the difference April 24 as Ruland pitched a complete game in a 4-2 win over defending county and Long Island champion Kings Park.

“We have different guys stepping up every day,” Going said. “We never know who it’s going to be.”