First off, we would like to thank you, our audience, for the continued interest in what we are trying to build here at Axcess Baseball. None of it would be possible without the continued support from you.
2017 was an amazing year for baseball in our great region.
There was a number of great story lines, events and breaking news that we were fortunate enough to be a part of.
Below is our list of the top 10 most popular articles of the year. This is part 1 of the countdown which will include 10-6.
10. Axcess League MVPs Honored at Battle of the Border
Date: May 31
We conducted an online poll that was intended to be an accurate depiction of the Most Valuable Player from each high school league on Long Island. The polls were extremely active for each league. We invited each winner to the Battle of the Border at Hofstra, and they were honored in a brief ceremony behind home plate during the seventh inning stretch.
9. Brian McLaughlin Named MVP of Battle of the Border
Date: June 1
We hosted our second annual Battle of the Border on May 31 at at Hofstra University which matched up the best college seniors from Long Island and the boroughs. The game was very close, with Brian McLaughlin (St. John the Baptist ’13, Maritime ’17) being named the MVP of the game with his clutch two-run single–which was the difference in the game.
8. Why Kate McGuire Will Make You Pay Attention
Date: August 30
12-year-old Kate McGuire turned plenty of heads this summer when she performed like an All-Star this summer. She batted .682 with 5 HR during her week at Cooperstown All-Star Village. During the summer season, she batted .577 with four HR. On the mound, she struck out 25 over 10 innings with two wins in her two starts during the Williamsport qualifier. Her brother spoke to Vinny Messana and called her the best 12-year-old he has ever watched. She hopes to make the high school team at Bayport-Blue Point this season.
To become a Black Diamond call 631-942-2542
7. Team Fontana Wins the Inaugural Axcess Home Run Derby
Date: September 9
We hosted a Home Run Derby for the top power hitters on Long Island at NYIT on September 9. It was an exciting match up with Div-I commits such as Anthony Fontana, Tim McHugh, Logan O’Hoppe, Mark Faello, Kyle Johnson, Will Feil, Travis Honeyman and Johnny Castagnozzi.
Team Fontana defeated Team McHugh by the score of 35-31, and it came right down to the wire!
6. Axcess Top-30 Players Announced
Date: March 8
Just prior to the high school season, we announced the top-30 high school players on Long Island with a photo shoot at All-Pro Sports Academy in Bellport. We released hitting clips of each of the players in the above picture, in addition to the players that couldn’t make the photo shoot on the 8th but attended it on the 10th.
Stay tuned for part two of this countdown!!
