Long Island Baseball Championship Set for Saturday
The Masapequa Chiefs (18-8) are preparing to go up against the Connecticut Thunderbirds (23-4) in the Long Island Baseball Championship this Saturday night.
Dylan Wilkinson, a senior pitcher for the Thunderbirds, recalled a past encounter with Masapequa. “I can vividly remember that game,” he shared, “It was intense, bases loaded with two outs… Somebody hit it to right field and Masapequa made this incredible diving catch.”
Wilkinson, along with senior center fielder Andrew Amand, both want to rewrite that painful memory this time around. “Just being in that situation, it’s exciting. Now it’s our turn,” Amand said, highlighting his impressive 23 stolen bases this season.
“Sure, they’re a strong team, but we’re pretty capable too,” he added confidently.
The Suffolk team feels a rush just reaching the LIC, especially after being celebrated with a parade and escort through town.
Masapequa has experienced its share of nail-biters with six walk-off wins this season, while facing a setback against Sachem North in the double-elimination playoffs.
Manager Robert Berger, leading the Thunderbirds since 2019, expressed confidence in his team’s efforts: “We’ve been dedicated to overcoming our challenges.” He noted his players’ experience but felt they were ready for the competition.
On the other side, Masapequa’s journey wasn’t any smoother. They faced tough challenges during the playoffs, coming off a dramatic defeat to Farmingdale only to bounce back with a 10-4 victory in the subsequent game.
Junior pitcher Jack Scannapieco remarked, “We didn’t dwell on that loss,” reflecting on their mindset throughout the playoffs. They ultimately secured a spot in the finals with a resounding 12-0 win against the Dahlers, adding to their momentum.
Junior shortstop John Neary emphasized their readiness, saying, “We’ve faced four elimination games recently. I think we’re prepared.” Meanwhile, Manager Tom Sheedy aims to keep things grounded despite the excitement. “It’s just one game. No need to make it larger than life,” he stated, highlighting the importance and pride of representing their school and community.
Upcoming LAX Finals
The Onetag Warriors (15-4) will take on the Summers (16-3) of Westchester for the Class C Boys Lacrosse Southeast Final at Yorktown High School this Saturday at 10 AM.
Additionally, Garden City (17-2) will compete against Horace Greeley High School (16-3) in the Boys Class B Southeast Final at 5:30 PM, also in Yorktown.
