by Andy Smith
Mepham 6 Clarke 5
WP: Leo Asta (CG)
Bryce Bowers: 2-3 BB, Go ahead 3 run HR in top 7
Leo Asta: 3-4, 2 runs
Trey O’Neill: 2-4, 1 run pic.twitter.com/y9yNymW7a2— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 18, 2022
Mepham had another successful regular season, and carried their momentum into the playoffs. The Pirates had a playoff run that was ultimately cut short by Clarke. They finished the regular season with a 10-8 record. Fifth year head coach Eric Passman reflected on the lessons that were learned. “They hit the ball in places that got to us. We just could not make the plays we had to make.”
A major part of the team’s success over the past few years have been Tyler O’Neill and Billy Kender. Both O’Neill and Kender are now sophomores at Bucknell University. O’Neill was a dominant pitcher with the Pirates and made starts during all four of his eligible seasons. O’Neill was named All-County, League’s Most Valuable Pitcher, and threw a 0.11 ERA during his senior season. Kender was named All-Conference, and hit well over .400 during his time as a Mepham Pirate. From last year’s team, they graduated Leo Asta, Timmy Burns and Jack Hellerer.
This year’s team has a handful of college commitments and they are TJ Coyne (Post), Nick Walker (St. Thomas Aquinas), Charlie Leo (SUNY Poly), Sean Vining (Mount Saint Vincent) and Christian Galante (Dean).
The returning cast will look to not only carry on the success of recent graduates, but also build off of it and create their own legacy. Headlining this cast of seniors is right handed pitcher Bryce Bowers. Bowers throws “hard on the mound” and can also hit for power. Bowers will be stationed at the hot corner when not on the bump. He compiled a 2.22 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and struck out 43 batters over
Michael Cucinella, an excellent defender in the outfield, will look to match his 2022 season. The current senior began last season hitting in the 9-hole but grew into his role and moved up the lineup throughout the season. He wound up batting .393 with a .514 OBP and 1.014 OPS.
Kieran Kehoe (Class of ‘24) ropes one back up the middle for a leadoff single. pic.twitter.com/9dyQFUNx75
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 23, 2021
An exciting player that have is 6’8 junior 1B Kieran Kehoe who can really make loud contact and is coming off a strong sophomore campaign in which he batted .321 over 67 plate appearances with a .433 OBP.
Anchoring the defense at SS is Trey O’Neill who batted .345 over 66 plate appearances with a .945 OPS.
Left handed pitcher Kyle Knowles has been pitching very well indoors during the off-season, and has made major improvements. “He has pretty good stuff and will be hoping to earn a spot in the rotation,” said Passman.
Kyle Knowles (Mepham 2023) pic.twitter.com/qoT3Om746U
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 28, 2022
“The jack of all trades”, Thomas “TJ” Coyne, will serve as the primary backstop and will also see time at third base. Coyne is poised to return to form and produce a big season for the Pirates. He is committed to Post University.
Coach Passman discussed how some underclassmen may be given the opportunity to play for the varsity team as the season progresses. One name he noted was Jaiden Zoller. Zoller, a ninth grader, “Looks very good on the mound.”
The Pirates are in a competitive league this season with MacArther, New Hyde Park, Jericho, Long Beach, Calhoun, and Great Neck South
Mepham will begin their quest to win the league against New Hyde Park.
