By Thomas Cregan
Uncommitted RHP Sean Mylan (Lynbrook 2022) showing good command, T80 pic.twitter.com/Sed2QvSy1R
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 17, 2022
Lynbrook coach Al Marrazzo is looking for a bounce back year from his group of returning players in 2022.
Lynbrook finished the 2021 season with a record of 5-14 missing the playoffs in a tough league, which Marrazzo admitted was a disappointing outcome. However, throughout the year he saw players making improvements and many of their games were closely contested and competitive. He was pleased with the way his team finished the season as they won 4 out of their last 5 games in 2021 and hopes that it was a good sign of things to come. Lynbrook will see many returning players start in 2022 and Marrazzo is hoping that the experience they gained from 2021 and their leadership group will propel them to success this year in 2022.
The team saw two seniors graduate and depart following the 2021 season. Middle infielder/ pitcher John Carver who will be moving on to play at Adelphi University. Along with shortstop Dan Beck.
Adelphi-commit John Carver (Lynbrook 2021) gets the start for LI Storm pic.twitter.com/MWTh2aQO8j
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 24, 2021
Lynbrook will be looking to their returning players to make a big impact this year. They are led by a core group of senior leadership. Starting off with SUNY Maritime-commit Sean Mylan who pitches and also plays first base. Shortstop Hunter Brenneis who is committed to Russell Sage College. Catcher Gabe Sultana and OF/1B/P Anthony Macchia will also be counted on.
Marrazzo said of Macchia, “Last year he led by example, stepped up big time and he knows what this program is all about as he has been with us since his sophomore year.” Lynbrook also has a strong junior class with players like pitcher/outfielder Esteban Salazar. Marrazzo said “he was usually hitting 2nd or 3rd in our lineup last year and we have big expectations for him this year.” All-Conference pitcher/third baseman Brian Mansfield, who Marrazzo said came out of nowhere last year and ended up posting a batting average over .350. Rounding out the junior class with pitcher/second baseman Nate Santoli. Marrazzo likes that his team boasts many dual-threat players that are effective both on the mound and at the plate and even in the field. He also mentioned Sean Lengyel and sophomore Tim Mingo as players that he expects to make a big impact in 2022.
In regard to newcomers to the team, Marrazzo didn’t have a definitive answer, but he did say, “We have a strong freshman class that will be noticed at our tryouts this year and they all have a chance to earn some time and potentially fill in some spots on our roster.”
When discussing his team’s biggest strength coming into the new season Marrazzo cited their pitching as the main strong point of the team. “With our staff led by guys like Mylan and Macchia we have a group that can compete with anybody, and I am confident in our ability to consistently throw strikes and command the strike zone. We have a good defensive group, and we will be looking for them to back up our pitching and hopefully in our highly competitive league we will be able to keep pace at the plate as well.”
As mentioned previously Lynbrook plays in a strong league that is anchored by teams like Bethpage (who won the county championship in 2021), Southside, Floral Park, Valley Stream and Division. Marrazzo said of their league “This is a strong league where every team is well-coached, and they all have great players and this year we are looking to go out there and compete in every game against them. I am really excited to get back to playing with this group, we have a tight knit group of guys who have developed a great bond with each other, and I enjoy going out there and being a part of it”.
Lynbrook will open their season on March 28th against Division.
