by Andy Smith
Lindenhurst 4, Ward Melville 3
WP: Matt Clark (2 innings 4K’s)
Donald Whalen 2-3 GW RBI
Chris Carson scored game winning run from 1st base
Thomas Charlwood (3 innings 6K’s)1-2 SF
Thomas Walker 1-3 pic.twitter.com/cA5xG9i610— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 5, 2022
Lindenhurst made major strides last season. The Bulldogs finished with a 12-6 league record and a 14-8 overall record. Lindenhurst defeated a powerhouse in Patchogue-Medford in the playoffs last season, but suffered losses to Commack and Ward Melville which marked the end of their season. Head Coach Rob Moore reflected on how his team, especially the returning players, grew last season and what they can build on.
“The returning players love the game, they work tirelessly and relentlessly, they do not stop. They always want to improve.”
Rob Moore, a graduate of Lindenhurst (Class of 1988) explained how losing in the playoffs will continue to build the strength of this team. Suffering a hard defeat like they did will push them even harder.
One recent Lindenhurst graduate is currently playing baseball at SUNY Purchase. Brandon Reybok was a two-way star in his final season as a Bulldog. The two-time All League player hit over .300. Reybok played everywhere in the infield and threw innings on the mound. “Utility guys are tough to replace”, said Moore.
The returning players are identified under a nickname that Coach Moore gave them, “The Fab Five.” Similar to the famous Michigan Wolverine basketball starters of the 1991 season, this group of five athletes are in the same graduating class, having played together for multiple seasons. The Fab Five are entering their senior year and want to finish their Lindenhurst playing careers in the best way possible.
League 2 MVP Thomas Walker had a dominant season. The two-way sensation showed great poise at the plate (.453 AVG, .495 OBP, 28 runs, 18 RBIs, and 12 SB) and shoved on the mound, where Walker threw two shutouts. The Molloy-commit was also extremely clutch last season. Walker knocked in the go-ahead run for his club five times in 2022.
Chris Carson also dominated on both sides of the ball Carson totaled 35 innings pitched with a 4-0 record to the tune of an impressive 1.69 ERA. In the batter’s box, Carson had an OBP of .506 with 16 swiped bags. Carson’s dominance wasn’t just on the diamond, however. An outstanding two-sport athlete, Carson was recently voted the top wide receiver (WR) in Suffolk County Football.
All-League outfielder/pitcher Thomas Charlwood locked things down defensively and excelled at the plate for the Bulldogs in 2022. Committed to Saint Thomas Aquinas, Charlwood finished with an average of .310 and an OBP of .375.
The backstop, Max Frank, is “one of the hardest workers”, according to Moore. The line drive hitter is committed to SUNY Plattsburgh. Donald Whalen, Old Westbury-commit, who will be playing in the infield and making appearances on the mound, is described by Moore as someone who “has pure bat speed and a great eye at the plate.”
Joining the “Fab Five” will be other key players such as Ty Napoleon, Adam Herig, Joe Quigg, Zach Migliore, and Mike DiGiuseppe.
The pitching rotation is deep, with Coach Moore stating that the team has “Two All-County boys (Walker and Carson) and many other pieces.” In addition, Junior Matt Curto and Steve Hernandez will eat up innings for the bulldogs.
Moore explained how important it is for the older players to use their experience to help motivate and show the younger guys how things get done. “The older guys are teaching the younger guys. Teaching them the Bulldog Way. That’s the way we work.”
Lindenhurst will be facing league opponents Commack, Walt Whitman, Bay Shore, Central Islip, and Brentwood in 2023. Looking at the current league, Coach Moore reflected, “Mixed in with two new teams, Central Islip and Brentwood. The goals have to be high. We always compete for a league championship.”
The Bulldogs take on the Cougars of Commack on March 28th in a must-see game.
