Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by George Caratzas
Roslyn answers back with a sacrifice fly from Lucas Weisser. 2-1 Carey after one. pic.twitter.com/e5Dz0RnLtI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 8, 2024
Following an 8-8-1 season in 2023, the Roslyn Bulldogs took a step backwards in 2024 as they finished with a 6-12 record en route to missing the playoffs. To add insult to injury, head coach Dan Freeman lost three major contributors to graduation and will have to rebuild the roster in 2025.
“We happen to play, in my mind, in the toughest conference in Nassau County,” Freeman said in an interview with Axess Baseball. “We had made the playoffs in the previous three years and had a really good team. We competed in every game but just couldn’t get in.”
In the offseason, Freeman watched as utility man Lucas Weisser, infielder Tyler Giordano and utility man Spyro Matarangas all moved on, leaving the Bulldogs needing to replace their production.
Weisser excelled on both sides of the ball, hitting .412 with an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 1.005. On the mound, he threw 28 innings and pitched to a 2.60 ERA.
Giordano was just as good offensively, slashing .392/.458/.549 with an OPS of 1.007. He also had 20 hits, six doubles and 14 runs batted in (RBI) while being a pest at the plate — only striking out twice all year.
Finally, Matarangas hit .390 while reaching base at a 42% clip and tallying 20 hits. As a pitcher, he struck out 35 batters in 30 innings for Roslyn while owning an ERA of 3.00.
“They’re definitely big losses,” Freeman said. “Not only were they great players, but they led the team in ways that you can’t quantify so that is going to hurt but I do feel their lasting impact was left on the returning guys.”
With the returners he has, Freeman is confident that the Bulldogs will be able to recover from their departures.
Ethan Jeon figures to get every day reps as both the team’s ace and one of their better hitters. Last year, Jeon hit .378 with 17 hits, 10 RBI, 10 runs and 10 stolen bases, displaying his all-around ability. As he is just a junior, Jeon will get two more seasons with Freeman as Roslyn looks to get back to the postseason.
Losing Weisser and Matarangas, Freeman will need Jeon and company to stabilize what is currently a rotation that will operate by committee.
“It’s going to be a lot of different guys,” Freeman said. “We’ve got guys that can throw strikes and we’re definitely going to need some other guys to step up for us.”
Cooper Forrest is another key returner that should produce for the Bulldogs as he profiles as one of the club’s best hitters.
Forrest enjoyed one of the best offensive years of any Bulldog last year, hitting .320 with 17 hits scored. He posted a .422 on base percentage and scored 10 times.
This year, Freeman will ask a bit more of his junior infielder.
“Last year he really stepped up,” Freeman said. “He was really a solid defensive second baseman and was our best hitter for the second half. We definitely see him as a top of the order guy and someone that can get on base and get our offense moving.”
Forrest will be asked to log time on the mound, something that he has not done much of in the past.
Another of the serious threats in Roslyn’s lineup is first baseman Ben Frankel. Frankel hit .379 as a junior last year while knocking 13 hits and stealing six bases.
Frankel, Jeon and Forrest all play into Freeman’s hard-nosed ideology for his offense.
“It is going to be a lot of contact and speed,” Freeman said. “We are really going to truly play baseball by getting on base and creating runs with speed.”
Freeman will also try to utilize seniors Dan Kaminsky, Zach Pinz and Cody Hershkowitz on the mound as he tries to piece his rotation together. Kaminsky is committed to further his playing career at Holy Family University next year.
Forresst also figures to be the second starter behind Jeon.
Junior Harrison Goldman is an intriguing name that the Bulldogs may try to deploy in various roles. Goldman was used in brief stints as a sophomore last year and impressed Freeman.
“[Goldman] pitched in spots for us last year,” Freeman said. “We’re going to need him to step up for us this year.”
Back on the offensive side of the ball, Roslyn has Freddy Murad returning as the every day center fielder.
“Freddy is one of the best athletes I’ve seen in a while and is maybe the fastest kid in the school. If he makes contact it’s a single at least. It’s really going to be cool to see him step up and be a leader in the outfield this year and in a perfect world he’s got the tools to be our leadoff hitter.”
Anchoring the team from behind the plate will be sophomore Ben Cohen. After transferring into the school last year and serving as Roslyn’s backup, Cohen will take the reins as the starting catcher this year.
“He has tremendous raw ability,” Freeman said. “He is one of the smarter kids in the program and I’m excited to see his first year leading the team from behind the plate. He is our starting catcher.”
With so many moving pieces, Freeman will hope to be competitive and rebound following the difficult season last year.
“It was tough,” Freeman said. “The county champions came from our conference and another team from the conference went to the final four. We were right there in every game so we hope to continue that.”
The Bulldogs season will start on March 28 on the road against Hewlitt.
