The end of the spring season is nigh, but with the close of the season brings the excitement of playoffs. brings the excitement of the playoffs.  One team that is looking for that last push in the playoffs is the boys baseball team.  The team’s record is 10-9-1 in the regular season and 10-8-1 in conference play.  They started out the season on a three game winning streak, but then dropped three games in a row.  However, as they look to make that run in the playoffs, they will need to play their best as they would be facing teams that are former state champions, such as Massapequa. 

The playoffs have begun and the team has already gotten off to a strong start.  They defeated Baldwin 5-0 and are likely moving on to face their rival Oceanside.  In that game, sophomore Sean Meth hit a home run opposite field to give the boys the lead.  Sophomore Jack Schindler also made a spectacular play in the field as he laid out to get an out.  Star pitcher junior Alex Chang pitched an amazing game.  The team has come out strong so far, and if they were to face Oceanside, they’d have to bring everything they’ve got.

Even though injuries have hit the team hard this season, but the team has still been able to find major success and move into the playoffs.  The team lost key players such as Ryan Meth, Adam Jackman, and Jackson Sattinger.  Meth, a senior going to Wake Forest, played a huge role in the teams early success.  However, he went down with a season ending injury.  Adam Jackman, a junior, tore his UCL before the season started and was not able to play this season.  He is one of their best players, and playing without him definitely hurt the team.  Jackson Sattinger, a sophomore, also went down with an injury as he sprained his wrist, which is a pretty bad injury for a pitcher.  Even though these three were not able to play, freshman and sophomores from the Junior Varsity team have been called up to play with varsity, most notably Jack Schindler.  Schindler was called up after the injury to Meth and immediately rose to the occasion.  He started off his varsity career with two RBIs in his first game.  He has also pitched a few quality innings.

The team’s primary rivals are Massapequa and Oceanside.  This year, varsity was able to beat both one time.  They could possibly face them in the playoffs.

“If we face Massapequa or Oceanside were going to need to bring our best baseball as we have done before,” said sophomore Chris O’Donnell.  “It’d be pretty sick to match up against them.”

Although they did beat both teams once, they lost their series 1-2 against both of the teams.  However, if the team brings its best, they definitely have a shot at beating them.

The talent this season has been outstanding, and that could be attributed to the seniors.  Jack Stolper, who will be playing college baseball at Middlebury next year, has been playing amazing this season and was voted the MVP of the league that the team is in.  Another player who is playing in college is Alex Andrews, who will be attending Middlesex community college.

“I think we had a very solid team this year that’s deep in every position.  We hit the cover off the ball all year and when pitching and defense was solid we couldn’t lose,” said O’Donnell.

The team has also gotten a chance to really come close together helping fuel their great on the field play.  They have attended lunches and have even gone bowling together.

“Building a bond on and off the field is key for a team’s success,” said O’Donnell.

Coming off their first playoff win, the team will looking to carry that momentum into the later rounds and hopefully be able to bring home a county championship for the seniors.  That being said, they will have to face some tough teams in their path to the county championship.