Hofstra's standout pitcher wishes to be chosen on the opening day of the MLB draft.

Hopeful Futures in Baseball and Soccer

Carlos Martinez, a pitcher at Hofstra University, has been passionate about baseball since he was a child. He often found himself in a stroller just outside the dugout, watching his father coach Little League.

This weekend, the 21-year-old right-hander has a chance to be drafted by a major league team.

“I really hope I hear my name on the first day,” he shared. “My goal is to play professional baseball and excel at it.”

Ranked No. 212 among ESPN’s top 250 MLB prospects before the draft, Martinez, a Yankees fan from Queens, has appreciated the guidance of Hofstra coach Frank Catalanotto, who has experienced the major leagues firsthand.

“He built my confidence,” said Martinez. “I feel ready to compete with the best.”

Another hopeful player is Aiden Lewis, a shortstop from Long Island’s Stony Brook School, who just graduated and is eagerly awaiting the draft.

“I’m feeling pretty calm right now. I try not to think about it too much, but as it approaches, it definitely crosses my mind,” noted the Vanderbilt commit, also from Queens.

“I consider myself stable and hardworking, and I intend to maintain that attitude both on and off the field,” Lewis added.

Even if it means waiting another two years to enter the MLB system, the 19-year-old is open to the possibility.

“I’m focused on going to college and trying to win a national championship at Vanderbilt,” Lewis remarked.

Chris McHugh, a first baseman from North Carolina State and a 2023 graduate of Commack High School, also attended the draft meeting as a prospective player.

Challenging Rivalries in Soccer

Meanwhile, the Fighting Tomcats are gearing up to face New Haven United FC for the NPSL’s North Atlantic Conference championship. They secured their spot with a 3-1 playoff win over the New York Shockers on Wednesday night.

Head coach John Fitzgerald mentioned the rivalry with the Connecticut team, saying, “They’re ready for it. There’s a solid rivalry between our teams.”

The last match at Mitchell Field was tense, with the Tomcats trailing late in the game, leading to a stadium evacuation due to heavy rain. However, they managed to level the score with a last-minute goal as the storm subsided, ending that June game in a 2-2 tie.