Jack Coogan went 3-for-3 with 2 triples, 2 walks and 3 RBIs as LuHi captured their second straight PSAA Championship with a 15-2 victory (plus ice shower) pic.twitter.com/ysaKn40t7K
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 12, 2022
It was another great season for Long Island Lutheran under head coach Shaun Manning as they captured the Private School Athletic Association Championship for a second straight season.
They lost in the New York State tournament to Stony Brook Prep, but that shouldn’t overshadow what they did during the regular season in which they started 11-0 and defeated a tough Portledge team in the PSAA Championship at LuHi. They also defeated Collegiate HS in the New York State tournament prior to their loss to Stony Brook.
In that championship game, LuHi showed their fire power as they got out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. A major reason for their success was senior Jack Coogan, who went 3-for-3 with 2 triples, 2 walks and 3 RBIs in that game.
For the season, Coogan was unconscious at the plate all season batting a ridiculous .645 with 6 HRs, 35 RBIs .715 OBP and 13 stolen bases. He was head-and-shoulders above the competition. He is now at Molloy.
“Jack’s numbers speak for themself,” said Head Coach Shaun Manning. “He basically led the team and the league in everything and was Newsday second-team All-Long Island. He was a leader of-the-field, he got kids in the weight room. It’s going to take a lot to replace him.”
They also graduated Alex Palaez, who had a great offseason season and went to Belmont-Abbey College.
Fortunately, they return a slew of talented players. Senior OF Tommy Bressmer is committed to St. Peter’s and he will be an impact player for them. They also return senior OF/RHP Michael Malherb who is a returning All-League player and will battle for a middle of the year spot and contribute on the mound.
Junior Ivan Epps will play 3B and pitch. He’s been 82-85 MPH and will be a big part of the offense and pitching staff. Epps was one of the first recipients of the Axcess Player of the Week at the NYBA camp way back in 2018. Manning said he is “probably the player with the highest ceiling on the team” and he’s been up to 87 at some recent showcases. “It he matures and brings it all together he’s got a shot to be dominant.”
Congratulations to Ivan Epps who won this week’s Axcess Player of the Week at the New York Baseball Academy pic.twitter.com/dmBogAWQnB
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 10, 2018
Junior Marcus Harrison will play CF and pitch. The southpaw is expected to be one of the top players in the league and will contribute both on the mound in the lineup. “He’s one of our better pitchers and has a lot of experience.”
Two newcomers to the team are Matthew Garibaldis and Matthew Muzikant who are both freshen but will both be two-way players for the Crusaders. Coach said that they have a shot to both be high-end college players.
They also have two transfers and that’s catcher Griffin King, a junior from South Side HS and RHP/2B Troy Vigilis, a junior from Port Washington HS.
Coach Manning said that “LuHi is no longer a school just for basketball. Other sports are starting to do well and build championships,” he said.
They have been working out at Complete Sports Performance in Carle Place and have had a bunch of practices outside as well.
They open up March 18 against Stony Brook Prep in a rematch of last year’s championship.
