by Ben Diamond
Just like every other coach, Roslyn head baseball coach Dan Freeman lost many seniors after the cancelled 2020 season. Players like catcher Andy Simon who Freeman felt was becoming a commander on the field, and Jordan Bernstein, one of the team’s captains who was a three-year varsity player, among other players like left fielder Ryan Rabinowitz, and utility infielder Brad Basel were big losses according to Freeman because of their impact on the team.
“We had a good crew of seniors that were really hungry,” Freeman said. “We amped up the offseason workouts and they showed up, at every single one of them.”
This year, Freeman’s squad showcases the school’s valedictorian Jordan Zucker, and salutatorian Danny Rosman. Zucker is a five-year starter in center field and on the mound, playing on varsity when he was only in eighth grade, while Rosman is a three-year starter in right field and on the mound. Freeman is proud of what they have become, and he could see it coming ever since he had met them. He could tell that their in-school learning prowess would translate to the baseball diamond.
“It’s pretty amazing that at such a competitive school, in such a great school, that two of our better players and two of the best athletes in the school are number one and number two in the grade.” Freeman said.
Freeman feels pride and gratefulness in having been able to coach them, even saying that even when he first met them that they have their own unique way of going about the game of baseball which translates from the classroom to the field. Freeman also believes that their impact on the team goes further than just what they do on the field, but also their leadership and their ability to fire up the entire team is something many coaches look for in players.
“Their work effort on-and-off the field, in the gym, and in the classroom has inspired everyone on the team to give their best and focus up as much as they can every single day,” Freeman said. “Expect them to have a senior year that they have worked for, and to lead us emotionally, physically, and intellectually on the field.”
Hayden Leiderman (Roslyn 2021) up to 87 MPH pic.twitter.com/707dZvzQ58
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 25, 2020
Some other players on Freeman’s roster to look out for are players like shortstop/pitcher University of Chicago-commit Hayden Leiderman, a hard-working player who Freeman says will be a top of the order guy. Second baseman Justin Mashaal is a contact hitter who Freeman expects to be on base consistently. And finally pitcher/infielder Matthew Feingold who Freeman is excited to see play this year. He couldn’t pitch his sophomore year due to injury but has worked his way back, and Freeman hopes to get a lot out of him this year.
Going into this season, Freeman has high expectations for his team. This is because he feels they should be hungry to get back out there after last year was cancelled. He feels that having high-energy going into the season can be beneficial in helping them win and getting back into the routine.
“I expect them to show up everyday with more enthusiasm than any other team has ever shown because they know how fragile this is,” Freeman said. “We came to school one day for baseball and never came back. So I expect their excitement, their attitude, their pride, and their focus to be there everyday, and if they do that we’ll be successful.”
Roslyn baseball is prepared to have a high energy season after taking a year off. With their well rounded roster, and leaders they have a squad that can win.
They will open up at Division on May 4.
