2023 Season Previews
Bellport Returns 9 Seniors From Playoff Team
Bellport coach Joe Murphy was the recipient of the Man of the Year which is presented to the coach that displays professionalism on-and-off the field and sportsmanship towards opponents and umpires pic.twitter.com/NzQaprO25F — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 14, 2022 Bellport proved they could play with anyone in 2022 as they finished the regular season with a record of 10-8 before losing to Connetquot and Smithtown West in the playoffs. In their first round loss, they led Connetquot 7-2 before losing to 8-7. “We had a bittersweet ending,” said third year Head Coach Joe Murphy, who was the longtime assistant under legendary coach Bill Batewell. “We let Connetquot come back and lost a tough one to Smithtown West. If we win that one, who knows what happens,”...
Young, Loaded Stony Brook Prep Team Ready to Take Major Leap
by Andy Smith Jordan Serrano of the Islip Owls put this ball into orbit! He crushes a 3 run home run over the high wall in left field to make it 3-0 Owls in the bottom of the 1st. pic.twitter.com/WnedKQSAXu — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 15, 2022 After beginning the 2022 season 1-12, Stony Brook School was struggling to find their way. With a young team, and a first year head coach, the growing pains were there At the midpoint of the season the culture change finally began to take shape. The young team came together and won 14 out of their last 16 including defeating Vanderbilt-commit Thomas White, 2-0, with Johan Franco firing a complete game 3-hit shutout. Following this amazing stretch, the Bears punched their ticket to the NYSAIS Tournament and then earned their sp...
Plainview JFK Looking to Fill Shoes of Diamond Award Winner
by Brian Honka Dylan Banner (Plainview JFK 2022) captured the Axcess Man of the Year last night at our Awards Banquet ! @POBHAWKSbasebll @LITitanbaseball pic.twitter.com/OLKpqZqKB9 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 6, 2022 Plainview JFK had a regular season to remember as they won Nassau AA-2 with a 14-1 record – cruising through their competition. In the postseason, however, they lost in the semifinals to a talented Farmingdale team. The team will be looking to replace Dylan Banner, now playing at Albany, who was a Diamond Award winner, and Axcess Man of the Year. He had a .475 AVG, 7 HR, and 34 RBI at the plate while also being dominant on the mound posting a 7-0 record with a 0.73 ERA striking out 101 batters while only walking 6 over 47.2 innings pitched. The team...
Despite Losing Strong Group of Seniors Syosset Ready to Continue Success
by Andy Smith Syosset entered 2022 with high expectations. The Braves qualified for the playoffs and finished with the season with an 8-7 league record. After losing in the quarterfinals to Farmingdale, fifth year head coach Tom Morritt learned some valuable lessons. “We learned that it’s so important to be playing your best when your best is needed. We encountered a recent league opponent in the quarter finals (Farmingdale) and lost in the best of 3 games after winning game 1.” Morritt continued, “We had just played our regular season finale with the ‘Dalers the week before and ran into them in the first round of playoffs. Ultra competitive 2 weeks of high school baseball. A great experience, hard fought but ultimately fell short of the team and program goal.” The Braves are entering 2...
Hills West Looks to Put “Disappointing” 2022 Behind Them
by Nick Cipolla 6’5 Clemson-commit Justin LeGuernic (Hills West 2023) was up to 92 mph last season. Low arm slot generates plenty of arm side run pic.twitter.com/IT9yQKiqGJ — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) January 8, 2023 Half Hollow Hills West has been one of the most consistent programs on Long Island over the past couple decades. Last season was a step back as they finished 7-11, missing the postseason. Head Coach Tom Migliozzi, who has won over 400 games, was very open about his team’s performance when he spoke to Axcess Baseball for their preseason preview. “Last season was uncharacteristic and disappointing for Hills West Baseball”, said coach Migliozzi, “We only had three seniors on the team last year, we were a junior heavy team and the three seniors we had weren’t nec...
Led By Conference A4 Pitcher of the Year, Seaford Ready to Return to Postseason
by Brian Honka Uncommitted RHP Sean Costello (Seaford 2023) up to 88 MPH. Was named All-County and Conference Pitcher of the Year pic.twitter.com/BKLf1rlZw2 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 24, 2022 Seaford is looking to improve upon a season that featured a 12-10-1 record and 2 playoff wins over Garden City and Island Trees giving them a trip to the quarterfinal. Unfortunately, the season didn’t end the way they hoped as they lost to the 3rd seed MacArthur Generals. Coach Milano said that last year was something to be extremely proud of coming out of arguably one of the toughest leagues in Class A. The team lost All-Conference SS Evan Block (SUNY Maritime), the team will also need to replace battery mates RHP Jack Kellner (SUNY Maritime) and C Joe Bello (Baruch) who received Al...
Lindenhurst Well-Positioned for Playoff Run Led by “Fab 5”
by Andy Smith Lindenhurst 4, Ward Melville 3 WP: Matt Clark (2 innings 4K’s) Donald Whalen 2-3 GW RBI Chris Carson scored game winning run from 1st base Thomas Charlwood (3 innings 6K’s)1-2 SF Thomas Walker 1-3 pic.twitter.com/cA5xG9i610 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 5, 2022 Lindenhurst made major strides last season. The Bulldogs finished with a 12-6 league record and a 14-8 overall record. Lindenhurst defeated a powerhouse in Patchogue-Medford in the playoffs last season, but suffered losses to Commack and Ward Melville which marked the end of their season. Head Coach Rob Moore reflected on how his team, especially the returning players, grew last season and what they can build on. “The returning players love the game, they work tirelessly and relentlessly, they do not ...
Shoreham-Wading River Prepared to Continue Success
by Andy Smith Postgame interview with Shoreham-Wading River RHP Billy Steele who fired 6 no-hit innings in a 4-1 win pic.twitter.com/dzwO45Ztze — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 4, 2022 Shoreham-Wading River had a very successful season last spring. The Wildcats qualified for the playoffs once again, a feat they have continued to accomplish for 36 straight seasons and finished the regular season with a 17-2 record. They were upset by Bayport-Blue Point in the postseason. Head Coach Kevin Willi is entering his ninth season as the skipper. Willi may sound familiar to fans of Stony Brook University, as he was both a pitcher and outfielder for the Seawolves. Willi credited his mentor, Sal Mignano, as a major catalyst to his success. Mignano, a member of the Suffolk County Sports ...
Hills East Poised for Playoff Appearance
by Nick Cipolla Half Hollow Hills East had a .500 season overall in 2022 going 10-10 overall. However, it wasn’t enough to make the playoffs as their 8-10 league record proved to be costly as they missed out on playoff baseball by a single game. Despite the unfortunate ending to the year in 2022, the Thunderbirds had some positives to take away from this season. Coach Tim Belz was pretty open about his team’s performance in 2022. “We finished 8-10 last season and we’re only 1 game away from qualifying for the playoffs”, Belz said, “there were numerous opportunities for us to make it to the playoffs but the ball just didn’t bounce our way when we needed it to. The two non league wins were against playoff teams but a couple of tough losses is what kept us out”. The Thunderbirds gradua...
After Graduating 10 From 2022 Class, Miller Place Ready to Move Forward
by Brian Honka Miller Place 3, East Hampton 1 WP: Trevor Diamond 6ip 1 run 5 hits Tyler Hodella 2-3, double, 2 RBIs Mikey Schleider 2-3, RBI pic.twitter.com/xK3ohQ2o81 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 19, 2022 Miller Place is coming off a 13-6 season and a trip to the playoffs where they lost to Bayport-Blue Point. They will be looking to follow that up with another postseason appearance. The team graduated 10 players from last year’s team so filling the gaps left by those players will be something the coaching staff will have to figure out this off-season and early in the season. Among that group was their All-County OF Tyler Hodella – who had ridiculous season. He batted .557 with a .618 OBP, .889 SLG, 1.520 OPS, 34 hits, 10 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HRs, 25 runs and 24...
Roslyn Returns Several Impact Players From Last Year’s Playoff Team
by Andy Smith Hayden Leiderman’s father accepting the Cy Young Award Powered by The Arm Academy. Leiderman went 6-0 with 6 CG shutouts (0.00 ERA) this season for Roslyn pic.twitter.com/QE6SzWegsi — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 14, 2021 Roslyn’s varsity head coach Dan Freeman, now in his 11th year, is ready to build off the success of the last season. In 2022, the Bulldogs entered the season having lost ten recent graduates from 2021’s conference winning team that featured Diamond Award winner Hayden Leiderman. However, the young team pulled together and fought hard all season long. According to Coach Freeman his team, “Exceeded all expectations.” The Bulldogs clinched their second consecutive playoff berth and went on to win a thrilling play-in game agai...
Mount Sinai Ready for Next Step Following Finals Appearance
by Andy Smith Mount Sinai began the 2022 season losing their first three games to Sayville. The Mustangs went on to win 16 out of 17 and reached the Suffolk County Finals, but fell to a talented Rocky Point team. However, Head Coach Eric Reichenbach believes his team has the potential to make another run. They won the Long Island Conference V Championship over Island Trees in 2021 led by a young roster that was perhaps one year ahead of schedule. The 2022 roster and this year’s team features many of those players that won it all and know what it takes to get over the top. Reichenbach has been at the helm of Mount Sinai Baseball for the last 18 years, and has been a member of the staff for 25 years. Reichenbach played college baseball at the University of Tennessee and Saint John...
