In 2021, Northport had a veteran, experienced team that made a team postseason run but ultimately lost to Huntington in the Conference Semifinals. They graduated 17 players from that team included all three of their starting pitchers (Liam Fodor, Liam Darrigo and Jason Schwartz) and their Gold Glove OF, Daniel Thompson.
Northport pitching staff
Liam Fodor: 3-1 record, 1.30 ERA, 32.1 IP, 25 H, 43 Ks, 3 BBs
Liam Darrigo: 5-0 record, 1.02 ERA, 34 IP, 28 H, 30 Ks, 7 BBs
Jason Schwartz: 3-0 record, 0.00 ERA, 14 IP, 8 H, 19 Ks, 4 BBs, 2 saves
Darrigo will go today against Palmer O’Beirne
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 16, 2021
Entering last season with an inexperienced team and having lost their starting 3B to play lacrosse in favor of baseball, things could have gone really sour. That simply wasn’t the case, as Northport had several players step up and fill roles and they wound up with a record of 8-10. From that team, they graduated catcher Richie Kershow, who is now playing at Hood College and SS Ray Moreno.
This year’s team figures to take a step forward.
They return one of the best hitters in the league, catcher John Dwyer who played 1st base last season but will shift behind the plate. Coach said “he is a genius” and he will be attending MIT next year. He is well-built at 6’1 195 lbs and he led the team in every offensive category as a junior including a .469 AVG and 1.136 OPS. He will be right in the middle of the order and be a major impact player for them.
Anchoring the rotation is senior RHP Aiden Bisson. He was very reliable for them last season and was rewarded with being named captain. Coach spoke highly of him saying, “He was our guy last year – we lost everyone the year before. He won some really big games for us. He’s a fierce competitor. He was throwing 79-81 last year, he’s 80-82 now. He never gave in. He was a guy we needed. He was the catalyst for us.”
Uncommitted LHP Max Donacea (Northport 2025)
Was featured as part of our Up Next Series. Division-1 prospect pic.twitter.com/T9TxHalxYo
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) December 28, 2022
Right alongside him in the rotation is sophomore southpaw Max Donacea. He will either be their No. 2 or co-ace depending how you look at it. Coach noted that had he not sprained his ankle during tryouts last year, he would’ve been one of their main starting pitchers as a freshman. When he returned after missing a month, he showed his talents as he beat Ward Melville and in the next outing he nearly beat Commack – he left with a 3-1 lead after 5.2 innings but they could not hold on.
“He’s going to be a big Division-I pitcher if everything continues to go the way it’s going,” said Coach Sean Lynch. “I’ve known him since he was going to our Northport camps when he was in elementary school and I knew he was a kid we definitely would be taking up to varsity as a freshman. We are looking for him to be our 1 or 1A – he’s the real deal. He’s someone that we can really count on to take us where we want to go,” he added.
Williams 27’
@EphsFB @CJScarpaIII pic.twitter.com/GJhQd9Jgb2— Owen Johansen (@owen_johansen26) November 30, 2022
At SS, they have what Lynch called the equivalent of a mid-season acquisition last year when they found out that Owen Johansen would be coming back to play baseball. He is a star linebacker, QB and lacrosse player. He played on varsity as a sophomore and hit a grand slam in his final at bat. He decided to play lacrosse last season. He will be attending Williams College and decided to come back to play baseball his senior season. He has exceptional arm strength and he will be playing SS this season for the Tigers. Coach stated that he probably could’ve played Division-I baseball if he wanted.
They have two college-committed returning OFs and they are Mike Lombardo (Alvernia) and Dom Tetta (St.Michaels). Both will be manning outfield positions and they will hope for solid production from them.
The Northport Tigers will be looking to make a postseason run this season. They will open up against West Islip – they will also face Hills East, Copiague, Smithtown West, Huntington and North Babylon in League II.
