Often overlooked, Mepham is seeking recognition this season. They return several top notch players, and have leaders with postseason experience ready to roll.
Coming off a season where they lost two closely contested playoff games to powerhouses Wantagh and North Shore, Mepham is entering 2019 with a chip on their shoulder.
Not only do they expect to be improved this year, but they’re confident everyone on the team will have a significant role. If everyone plays to their full potential, this team can cause some havoc in Conference A1.
On the offensive side of the ball, Mepham expects to do damage. They will be led by Gianni Macchio, who was named All-County in 2018 and finished with a .510 batting average.
Junior Matt Hegig will be another powerful bat in middle of the lineup who made an impact last season. He finished with a batting average over .300 as a sophomore. Mepham returns a number of players who started as sophomores last year. Expect juniors Kenny Franquez, Nick Cucchinella and Anthony Paelo to return more improved.
Perhaps the most significant factor for the Pirates is their strong core of JV players that will be playing for them at the next level. There is always the question of if they will be able to translate their success to the next level, but all these players possess serious talent. Therefore, all arrows are pointing in the right direction.
Head Coach Eric Passman is hopeful these players can make an impact for them as early as April. These new players that will be competing for starting spots are Michael Keane, Pat Griffin, Joe Rosser, Jack DeVilla, Billy Kender, Tyler O’Neill and Griffin Carp.
Along with their new players from JV, they will have a few other significant additions. Senior Christian Rose, a transfer from St. Anthony’s, is expected to pitch in crucial innings this season. Another senior that is expected to start this year is Joe Thomas. He has been sidelined since sophomore year with an injury, but returns this season. Division-1 soccer player Brandon Hislip has also impressed Coach Passman this off season, as it is his first year playing baseball. He is expected to make an impact defensively and on the base paths.
Mepham returns two strong arms at the top of their rotation. Marco Baez and Sean White, who both had success in 2018, hope to translate that into dominance this season. Chris Brocks and Jack Blaumont will also seek to make an impact on the mound.
Junior Adelson Molina will handle the Mepham pitching staff behind the plate. In 2018, he was a key piece in keeping the running game in check. Not only does he have a great arm and is extremely effective defensively, but Coach Passmen believes he is one of the best catchers in the county.
With all of these key pieces eager to open some eyes in Class A, it’s easy to see why Mepham is expected to make another postseason run in 2019.
Their conference includes, Herricks, Calhoun, Great Neck South, Valley Stream Central and MacArthur. Although this isn’t an easy conference by any means, expect Mepham to hold their own and compete for a top spot.
As constant underdogs, Mepham is hunrgy to prove their opponents wrong. Their season awaits as they open up against a tough Calhoun team on April 8th.
