Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series.
by Joe Bello
James Demsky is heading into his first year as head coach at Wellington C. Mepham High School. He has been a part of the coaching staff for 7 seasons as an assistant coach to Eric Passman, but this year Demsky will be running the show.
“The 2024 season was a strong season for the Pirates.” Demsky said. “We had a large senior class who all had strong performances. Great group of players who had a ton of fun playing together, and were a pleasure to coach.”
Mepham finished with a record of 11-8 in the 2024 season. They made the playoffs and were knocked off in the first round by a strong Carey team.
The Pirates will be without Kieran Kehoe in the 2025 season, as he graduated last year. The 6’7″ first baseman was a Diamond Award Winner in 2023, and was the Axcess Preseason Player of the Year going into the 2024 season. Kehoe was awarded All-County honors last season.
No surprise here – the Axcess Preseason Player of the Year is Kieran Kehoe (Mepham 2024). The Saint Joseph’s signee slashed .700/.736/1.217 for the Pirates. He had 19 extra base hits, drove in 41 runs and scored 25 runs in leading Mepham to a record of 19-5-1 pic.twitter.com/PQpDZfeQ3p
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 10, 2024
“Losing Kehoe will certainly impact us as any team would be impacted by losing a Diamond Award winner.” Demsky said. “Kieran was a wonderful player and teammate and he will certainly be missed, as will the rest of our seniors. But we really believe that the team will emerge as a whole and fill in all of the gaps by working alongside one another as they have been in all of our winter workouts, and as they always have during practice. We believe at Mepham that the most important word is ‘WE’, and that’s how we will move forward.”
Kehoe is playing this year at Division-I Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Also graduating for the Pirates was center fielder Steven Mulqueen, who is now playing at Molloy University. He was an All-County award winner last season and one of the best hitters in the county.
Mepham OF Steven Mulqueen having an absolutely ridiculous season
17 games (66 ABs)
.580 AVG, .682 OBP, 1.360 SLG (2.042 OPS)
10 HRs, 33 RBIs, 29 runs, 15 walks, 6 Ks pic.twitter.com/UVl4iVhe9B
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 8, 2024
Sal Visone and Kiran Paingankar also will not be with the team this season, both of them will be playing college baseball. Visone, who started at shortstop last season, will be playing at Western Connecticut State University. He won All-Conference honors last season. While Paingankar was a part of the starting rotation and was named All-League in 2024, he will be playing at SUNY New Paltz this year.
The other award winning player for Mepham in 2024 was Jaiden Zoller who won All-League honors. Zoller will be a big part of the Pirates’ success in 2025, he is the starting center fielder and is a lefty pitcher.
A couple of sophomores that Demsky will look for success out of is Jimmy Lewis and Teagan Cardona. Lewis is a lefty hitter with a strong bat and a smooth glove in the field, he will be taking Visone’s spot at shortstop this season. While Cardona will contribute on both sides of the ball, in the outfield and on the mound, Demsky calls him a very versatile player.
Juniors Jake Maxwell, Brayden Seligman, and James Quilty will also look to help out the team this spring. Maxwell is a starting pitcher, Seligman will be at third base, and Quilty will play all over the field while also pitching.
“I’m very excited about this gritty young group that has a lot to showcase.” Demsky said. “I believe our depth this year will really make us stand out. I’m eager to see how everything unfolds. It’s been great to see how well this group has been gelling during winter workouts, they seem hungry and ready to compete.”
As Demsky mentioned, they graduated a large senior class last year meaning for the 2025 season, Mepham will have to lean on a younger roster for success.
“With a younger roster we will rely on grit, hard work, working alongside one another, supporting one another, believing that with consistency and being on a mission, holding true to the values and principles we plan to discuss, good things will happen.” Demsky said. “We are certain of it. It’s a wonderful group, and I look forward to watching them grow, develop, and do well.”
The Mepham Pirates open up their season on April 7th against the Long Beach Marines.
