by Max Edelman
(Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s season preview series.)
John DeMartini received the Bill Batewell Man of the Year Award – presented by current Northport head coach Sean Lynch, who played for Bill Batewell at Sachem HS pic.twitter.com/oP5tvbxGwD
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 13, 2023
Northport is fresh off an 11-7 season that saw tough playoff losses to Lindenhurst and North Babylon. They looking to return to playoff success in 2024. Head coach Sean Lynch, who is entering his 5th year as head coach of the Northport Tigers, looked back on last season and his team.
“We had a great group of guys.” Lynch said. “Just awesome team chemistry, we just played very well as a team together, everybody had their own different roles and we battled hard despite the injuries.”
Every season comes with graduates, and Northport is no exception. Perhaps their biggest loss is All-County catcher John Dwyer. Dwyer, who was also the school’s valedictorian last year, is now playing at MIT. Outfielder Dominic Tetta is now playing at St. Michaels. Also an outfielder, Mike Lombardo committed and will play at Alvernia in 2024. Lynch also mentioned a pair of pitchers who, while not playing college baseball, did make big impacts for the Tigers last year. Those pitchers are Aiden Bisson and Tyler Mulligan.
Despite the losses, Lynch believes that his returners will have a big impact. On the mound, Lynch pointed to junior standout Max Donecea as a potential key for the Tigers’ success. Donecea, who has been in the rotation on varsity since his freshman year, will be entering his third season on varsity fresh off an All-League season in 2023. Last year, Donacea shined on the mound. In 39 Innings pitched, Donacea struck out 46, walked 25, and had an ERA of 1.97.
Uncommitted LHP Max Donecea (Northport 2025) pic.twitter.com/12k41pWqVZ
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 5, 2024
“We have very high hopes for him.” Lynch said. “He’s a lefty pitcher who sits in the low 80s, and he’s been working like crazy so who knows where he’s gonna be in the next couple of months from a velocity standpoint.”
When not on the mound, Donecea’s bat keeps him in the lineup, and Lynch said Donecea could expect to see some time in the outfield this year. Also entering his third year on varsity is Max Brewer, who primarily played outfield for the Tigers.
“He’s a big, strong athletic outfielder.” Lynch said. “He’s another player that’s been working really hard to hopefully help us.”
Along with Donecea and Brewer, Northport is carrying three additional players who have also spent the last three seasons playing on the varsity level. Cody Hammer, a senior third baseman who is already committed to play at John Jay. Thomas Hardick, also a senior, will be the Tigers starter at second base. Dylan Soffarelli is entering his third year on varsity and plays primarily as a first baseman and outfielder for the Tigers.
.@JaspersBaseball ‘24 OF Vito LaRosa (Northport)
No. 12 ranked OF in NY among rising seniors at a long 6-4, 180 with room to fill out. Ran an absurd 6.52 60YD, peak EV 94MPH with 81MPH arm strength.#TopProspectGamesLI | @VitoLaR1 | @AxcessBaseball pic.twitter.com/wnXYTgs9ho
— Prep Baseball New York (@PBRNewYork) August 16, 2023
Vito LaRosa, a Manhattan-commit, runs a 6.5 60-mile dash and will hold down a spot in the outfield. Despite an injury last season, Lynch expects LaRosa to be a major impact player for the Tigers, especially on the basepaths.
“He’s gonna have the green light.” Lynch said. “He’s really working on the craft as well as getting better jumps and better reads. So he’s going to be a very big help for us this year.”
While he did not start the season on varsity last year, junior Matt Horyczun came up and provided a much-needed spark for the Tigers at shortstop as a sophomore. Lynch is excited to plug Horyczun into the shortstop position full-time this season.
“He ended up playing a great shortstop for us.” Lynch said. “So we have him and Hardick up the middle for us to play defense. They’re two really surehand defenders, so we like our chances with them up the middle.”
When Lynch was asked what his team’s biggest strength is, he pointed at the star power of his team. Pointing out the impact that a player like Donecea can have on their team.
“I think we have one of the better pitchers that is only a junior.” Lynch said. “He just does the things that you need in pressure spots. He’s a very confident kid and has been since his freshman year. Most coaches would love to have him in front of our staff.”
The Tigers will open their season against newcomers to their league, Centereach.
