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Gianni Macchio walks it off with a 2RBI double and Mepham eliminates Wantagh!!!!!!

FINAL: Mepham 3 Wantagh 2
WP: Tyler O’Neill (CG)
Gianni Macchio: Walk off pic.twitter.com/KWbKBq1QJ9

— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 14, 2019

by Zevan Shuster

Coming off another playoff appearance, one that featured an exciting walk-off against Wantagh, Mepham is poised for another playoff appearance.

“We have two thirds of our outfield coming back. We have our star pitcher coming back. The only thing that’s up in the air right now is the rest of the pitching and the catching, that’s all,” Mepham head coach Eric Passman said. 

The mix of certainty and comfort, to go along with uncertainty and unknowns, makes for an interesting start to the year for Passman’s club. While the head coach is getting a better idea of what he can expect from his team, what his squad will look like isn’t quite finalized just yet. 

“Since we started the workouts, we’re getting a pretty good idea who is going to be in the rotation… but it has been indoors, so we really don’t know yet. We’ll see what happens when they face a real batter with real weather conditions, which makes a big difference with pitchers,” said Passman. “It’s important to come out strong. There are six teams now that get the bye, so it’s quite important to come out strong, I think.”

One thing that may help the lack of pitching experience is a reliable defense, which Passman stressed saved his team on multiple occasions last season. Certainly, having a defense that can help give the pitcher confidence is invaluable. 

“Our one big strength in our defense. Our defense, especially our infield defense, was phenomenal last year, and everybody is returning,” said Passman. “We expect that they’ll continue to be fantastic.”

Making up this outstanding infield, first on the corners, is first baseman Matt Hegi, who made the All-Conference team, and who also is an All-County wrestler and football player. His athleticism is certainly an asset, and is unique for someone at his position. Across the diamond, at the hot corner, will be Rocco Law. 

“We couldn’t ask for a better third baseman. He makes all the plays, he always makes contact. We expect him to have a super year,” said Passman. 

Making up the double play combination, is William Kender, who had a great year last year at second base, is expected by Passman to continue his stellar play. At shortstop, Passman will roll out another All-County player, this one by the name of Kenneth Franquiz, who is committed to playing at New Haven, for the well-respected Chris Celano.

As for the offense, according to Passman, “our hitting was very good as well. I expect that we’ll be a good hitting team this year.”

Passman had to mix-and-match at the catcher’s spot last year, and may have to do the same this year. But he’s hoping someone from JV will “emerge” to take that spot. Mix and matching, and a heavy reliance on execution, will be something that Mepham’s head coach will be counting on in more places than just behind the plate.

“I expect us to be a good hitting club. I don’t expect us to use much small ball, unless the game dictates it, of course,” said Passman. “Generally speaking, we have pretty good hitters, and we are going to let guys hit.”

On the mound, Passman is counting on Tyler O’Neill, who he referred to as his “ace,” is the only pitcher Passman knows for sure will be a part of his rotation going into the season. As for the rest?

“We have a bunch of people that, indoors, have been very encouraging. But that, as you know, is only indoors. Indoor bullpens sometimes don’t translate. Sometimes they do translate to actual pitching, but we’ll just have to wait and see until March, when we get outdoors, to see if the pitching holds up,” said Passman. 

“If we can get some of these kids developed, from JV, and from who pitched last year, then I think we’re going to be solid.”

In addition to their on-field play, another key to Passman’s team having a successful season is building camaraderie off the field, which in turn, can help bring more on field success as well. Passman may not have a set philosophy when it comes to this, but the importance is something he is very much aware of. 

“My (coaching) style on the team can change from year-to-year, depending on the team. I don’t recruit. I am a (proverbial) running coach. In college, you recruit. Every year, we get who we get. If we don’t have fast kids one year, then we aren’t going to be aggressive on the bases, or play small ball,” said Passman. 

Perhaps more than any sport, baseball most often requires both flexibility, and adaptability. For Passman to be at his best, and for his team to be at theirs, they will have to have quite a bit of both this upcoming season.