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Shoreham-Wading River: How Do They Do It?
by Patrick Duryea Consistency is a key to success no matter who you ask. You’d be hard pressed to find a program more consistent than Shoreham-Wading River. In addition to making the playoffs every season from 1986-2022, they have had only two coaches in their baseball program’s entire history. The current head coach is Kevin Willi, who took over for the legendary Coach Sal Mignano. He started the program at SWR and it did not take long for them to become a prominent figure in Long Island baseball. Under Mignano, SWR won 582 games, which makes for an average of over 15 wins per season, not to mention 12 league titles and 8 Suffolk County titles. Before taking over Willi coached under Mignano for several years and noted “he was my mentor” and “he took me under his wing”. The tradition...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Logan Lamberson
(This is the seventh installment of the popular “Up Next” series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell, Dom Muccia and Fred Klauck. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Logan Lamberson shows his pop with an opposite field homer pic.twitter.com/21Wg0UXZxs — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) December 16, 2024 2024 was a tremendous season for Logan Lamberson. He batted .541 (98-for-181), with 20 doubles, 8 triples, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs, 104 runs scored, 60 walks and 60 stolen bases. Just a remarkable season by any metric, even if much of it occurred on the small fields. He did show a glimpse of the future in the fall when h...
Q & A With Drew Waters
Drew Waters has drawn positive reviews for his ability to handle a pitching staff and control the running game despite being just a freshman in HS. The Levittown native opted to attend St. Dominic HS. Pete Lo Duca, who is an assistant at St. Dominic HS, had the following to say: “Drew is an exceptional young man and player. There is a level of intensity, focus and determination that Drew brings to every game and to his team. He desmans the best out of himself and wants to be surrounded with those that share a similar mindset. Drew has an above average arm behind the dish and does a great job guiding his pitching staff. No moment is too big for Drew, he wants to be the batter in the box when it matters most. Drew is an impact player that possesses intangibles you cannot see in a bit s...
Giac Squad Enters 2025 With Momentum
After a .500 start to 2024, Giac Squad 16u was able to turn the corner mid summer through the end of the fall finishing with a 18-6 record with a league championship. After losing in the Boys of summer National finals, Giac Squad was able to bounce back to the championship in the fall – this time taking care of business against a tough Bonnie Bees club. The team is lead by staff ace, Jefferson Biener (Division 2026). Coach Giac says “Biener is one of the top, if not the top arm in his class. When he’s out there, I just have all the confidence in the world”. The rest of the rotation includes Fernando Alverez (Mepham 27), who has proven his dominance and will have a lot of eyes on him this summer, Anthony Sanchez (St. Anthonys 27), and Holy Trinity’s stacked so...
Q & A With Jayden Schrader
Jayden Schrader was a big part of Giac Squad’s successful 2024 season in which they captured the Boys of Sumer 16u Fall Championship. He played a steady shortstop and provided punch in the lineup. Schrader was not only the youngest player on the team, but was also eligible to play 14u this year, as he bounced back and forth between the 14u and 16u teams. Schrader is an exciting player that is entering his freshman season at Mepham HS. His coach Joe Giacomantonio spoke very highly of him, lauding his defensive abilities and his ability to handle the bat. He said, “Schrader is one of the most advanced players at his age.” I had a chance to speak with Schrader and here’s what he had to say… SS Jayden Schrader (Mepham 2028) getting some swings in. Very athletic, h...
Max Effort Baseball: On the Cutting Edge of Baseball Training and Education
(Editor’s Note: This article originally was published in December 2017) When it comes to being a successful hitter, there is nothing more frustrating than being geared up for a fastball only to hopelessly flail at a change up in the dirt. Believe me, as a .250 hitter as a senior in high school I can attest to this. There is no amount of hours in a batting cage that can prepare you for the challenge of off-speed pitches and tight breaking balls. Enter Senaptec and Hack Attack Pitching Machine. These revolutionary devices represent the next-wave of baseball training, something in which several Major League Baseball teams have purchased and begun to implement into their organizations. Both of these do not come cheap, however, and unless you are able to book an appointment at Yankee Stad...
Where Are They Now Powered by Prime Performance: Chris Cappas
It’s been over 7 years since Kellenberg’s thrilling 1-0 victory over St. John the Baptist at Hofstra University in which their sophomore stud, Jason Diaz, was electric and struck out the final batter to secure the second straight title for the Firebirds. It remains the last championship for Kellenberg. The Catholic League Player of the Year was senior LHP Chris Cappas who went 6-1 on the mound and allowed just 1 run over 39.1 innings (0.18 ERA) with 53 strikeouts. He ended the season on a 25.1 inning scoreless streak. He was equally as impactful at the plate, he batted .434 with 3 HRs, 23 RBIs and just one strikeout. Cappas, along with a group of seniors, formed a bond that he believes is the reason they were so successful on the field. It doesn’t hurt, however, that they...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Fred Klauck
(This is the sixth installment of the popular “Up Next” series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell and Dom Muccia. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) All 15 strikeouts from Fred Klauck’s no-hitter pic.twitter.com/eBMLf8gkF0 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) December 9, 2024 Fred Klauck burst onto the scene this fall when he fired a no-hitter with 15 Ks for Next Level in the Northeast Elite finals against a very talented Blue Line Rangers team. Klauck is a sophomore at Mineola HS with his sights set on making the varsity club in the spring. With a high-octane fastball that touched 85 in the fall, that is certain...
Massapequa: How Do They Do It?
(This is the first part of a 5-part series in which we take a deep dive into the best baseball towns on Long Island. First up is Massapequa.) ERIK PAULSEN JR WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM TO WIN IT FOR MASSAPEQUA!! ARE YOU KIDDING?! pic.twitter.com/XxVwkXrBMY — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 31, 2023 by Patrick Duryea Nestled in between a few neighborhoods on the South Shore of Long Island, you’ll find Massapequa High School and its beloved baseball diamond. Looking out from the bleachers standing behind home plate you’ll see one of two things. One may be the Massapequa water tower looming over the neighborhood and trees, on the other side, you’ll see pennants all over the school buildings. Those pennants represent Massapequa High School’s long history of cross-sport dominance in Nas...
Where Are They Now Powered by Prime Performance: Jake Thomas
(This is the third installment of “Where Are They Now” in which we catch up with some of the great players in Long Island history. Previously, we featured James Bailin and Jeff Tyler. Thank you to Prime Performance for sponsoring this year’s series.) The Early Days Jake Thomas was raised in Merrick, NY. He is the youngest of two children, his sister being one year older. After moving a few times during his youth, Jake’s family settled in Merrick when he was in 3rd grade. He was a die-hard sports fan, he also played hockey and football until high school. His favorite team was the New York Yankees. At the first baseball game he attended in 2nd grade, he was fortunate enough to get Jorge Posada to give him his game used bat when he wished him a Happy Birthday prior to ...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Dom Muccia
(This is the fifth installment of the popular “Up Next” Series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts and Joe Maxwell. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this series.) St. Dominic HS took the league by storm during the 2024 regular season, securing the No. 1 seed in the postseason thanks in large part to their dominant 1-2 punch of Victor Frederick and Luke Lang as well as their bevy of freshmen and sophomores that proved that they were ready for the challenge of the Catholic League. One of those young players in particular was infielder Dom Muccia who batted leadoff and did more than held own – he went All-League becoming the first St. Dom’s fre...
Frank Catalanotto: What Is the Proper Pre-Season hitting Prep
(Photo Credit: Spokeo Images) (Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2017 by Frank Catalanotto) Baseball season is right around the corner. If you haven’t started, now is the time to transition into baseball-specific training. You should now take the focus from off-season training to preseason workouts. During the first part of the off-season, you should have taken some time to rest and let our body heal from all the wear and tear of the long baseball schedule. Then, you go on to building back some muscle that the body may have lost during the season. This muscle-building phase during the off-season is so critical. If you don’t take it seriously, your body may be more susceptible to break down. The off-season is when you focus on becoming a better athlete; ...
