Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Max Edelman
Jacob Rentz earned his second win of the season and Bennie Franquiz continued his incredible start to the season with a 3-hit day including an RBI single to break a scoreless tie in the fourth. @GCsports pic.twitter.com/fQAazht5Tf
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 22, 2023
In his first season as head coach of the Mount Sinai Mustangs, falling short of the playoffs in the final game of the season was disappointing for Ryan Pembroke’s team. However, with plenty of talent returning, the Mustangs are primed to make it back to the playoffs in 2025.
“We went 9-11 and missed the playoffs by one game.” Pembroke said. “We started off 1-10 in a very tough league with an inexperienced team, especially on the mound. We caught fire and rattled off eight wins in a row. We lost our last game of the year that if we had won we would have gotten in. But I think it’s motivating, you felt that frustration and disappointment and now you use that as motivation to make it a better year this year.”
Of the eight graduating seniors last year, two are playing in college. Jameson Riegel is pitching at the college of St. Elizabeth and Andrew Yanez who is at Queens College. While eight seniors is a large graduating class, the Mustangs are graduating 13 this season. While last season’s team was inexperienced, this season comes in with plenty of varsity innings under their belt.
For the Mount Sinai pitching staff, there will be three returners who pitched big innings last season. At the top of the list is Sean Flannery. Flannery, also a center fielder for the Mustangs, is expected to be a big piece both at the plate and on the mound.
“Sean’s going to be a big piece for us on both sides of the ball.” Pembroke said. “With his bat, he hit over .300 last season. We expect an even bigger year this year.”
Junior Jake Zabbara, both started and relieved for Mount Sinai in 2025 as a sophomore, and after overcoming the obstacles that come with being a young varsity player, Pembroke believes that there’s plenty to like about his young pitcher.
“Especially as a sophomore, you’re going to have some bumps.” Pembroke said. “He’s looked really good this winter, so we’re excited for him to man our rotation this year and be one of our top guys.”
Although a ninth grader, Matthew Passantino will be entering his second year on varsity, was praised by his coaches for his growth during the offseason, and Pembroke believes that he will once again be a big part of the rotation.
This season, Mount Sinai is retaining almost the entirety of their lineup. At first base is Jackson Paplin. Paplin, a Plattsburg commit, was praised for both his glove and bat, and will be a mainstay in the Mustangs lineup in 2025.
“He’s an outstanding defender.” Pembroke said. “He plays tremendous defense at first which makes the rest of our infield very confident. He’s gotten much better offensively this offseason this winter, he’s put on some size so we expect him to help us in the lineup this year.”
Next to Paplin in the infield is Clarkson University commit and all-leaguer Keith Hall. For the Mustangs in 2025, Hall hit .340 last year in the middle of the order for the Mustangs. Pembroke praised him for his high contact rate and strong glove in the middle of the order. At third base is Matthew Chin. Chin was a midseason call up last season six games into the season to DH for Mount Sinai. Chin wasted no time taking advantage of his opportunity, hitting .280.
“What I liked about him is that he always had quality ABs.” Pembroke said. “He listened and made some adjustments and made some really huge strides as he continued to play. This year we expect him to be a big piece for us, and he also pitched on the mound. He’s replacing a huge piece for us in Nate Castro. So obviously he’s got big shoes to fill, but if there’s anybody that can do it, It’s going to be Matty Chin.”
In the outfield, one of the returning players for the Mustangs is John Leonard. Leonard, a left handed hitter, put together quality at bats during 2024 despite facing tough left handed hitters. This year, Pembroke believes that the strength Leonard added in the offseason plus the experience last season will help Pembroke be even more effective this season.
Starting behind the plate for the Mustangs is senior Ralph Passantino. Ralph is the older brother of freshman Matt Passantino, will attending SUNY Maratime in the fall. Passantino is entering his third year as a member of the varsity team.
“He was a good sophomore and a solid junior.” Pembroke said. “I think he’s going to have a big for us as a senior. He’s another kid that’s put on a lot of size this offseason, he’s one of our captains. He’s just one of those guys that checks all of those boxes both on and off the field and he’s one of those guys that does whatever it takes to be a team guy.”
Although he’s going to miss the entire season due to injury, senior James Trepiccione is committed to play at SUNY New Paltz, and will find other ways to help the team as a captain.
Last but certainly not least is Army commit and fifth year varsity player Bennie Franquiz. Franquiz, the teams shortstop is one of the best players in the history of the Mount Sinai program, and Pembroke is hopeful that Franquiz can have one more amazing season that potentially ends in a championship.
Season stats for Mount Sinai sophomore Bennie Franquiz (11 games)
23-for-35 (.657 AVG), 15 runs, 19 RBIs, 6 doubles, 10 BBs, 0 Ks, .717 OBP, .828 SLG, 17 stolen bases pic.twitter.com/RDDmdtXBB6
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 22, 2023
“There’s so much to say about him.” Pembroke said. “He got brought and played 10 games as an eighth grader. He started at second base in the Long Island Championship that we ended up winning that year. We go as far as Benny goes. He’s a leader, he impacts the game at every facet. He’s one of the best hitters on the island and one of the premier shortstops in the region. After this year, he’s going to be one of the best players Mount Sinai has ever had.”
Being in one of the toughest leagues in the entire Island is a big challenge, but it’s a challenge that Pembroke believes his team is more than prepared for.
“The league is loaded.” Pembroke said. “I don’t think I’d be speaking out of line saying it’s one of the toughest leagues in Suffolk County this year. There’s no easy matchup. These are programs that are always in the playoffs, always in the hunt for county championships, and are powerhouse programs year in and year out. For us, I love that and our gives love that. The competition is what builds you and it makes for strong and exciting games.”
The Mustangs will open their league season on April 1 against Miller Place.
