Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Max Edelman
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a year unlike any other for the Northport Tigers. After a 2025 season that saw the graduation of a whopping 15 seniors, the 2026 season for head coach Sean Lynch features a tough task ahead of him. However, he first looked back on a 2025 he won’t soon forget.
“We made the playoffs and won our first round game.” Lynch said. “Then we lost to Connetquot over at their place 2-0 in a very good game that was tight all the way. Then we got eliminated. It was a good year and we had a great group of seniors and we really gelled together. We had a lot of chemistry and really good senior leadership. So, losing 15 seniors, we’re going to be very young this year and hopefully we can have some of those guys step up that are coming up to varsity. We only have five seniors this year, so that’s the biggest question mark, who’s going to step up from the sophomore and junior class and we hope to get back to where we want to be.”
Of the 15 seniors, the one that continued their baseball career at the college level was Max Donecea. Donecea, who shined as a left handed pitcher in his high school career, is continuing his baseball career at the United States Military Academy at West Point. While not college baseball players, the Tigers will miss the likes of Ried Johanssen, who is playing football at Franklin & Marshall. Vinnie Staub, who was an All-County pitcher his junior year and an All-League pitcher his senior year. Tony Sylvanus, who started at first base for the Tigers and was All-League last year, as well as Tyler Rothell, who was also an All-League player at second base.
.@HofstraBaseball ‘26 RHP Linus Frederick (Northport)
No. 10 RHP in NY 🗽 | 5-11, 170
FB T90 with 2300+ RPM and life through the zone. Spins a pair of distinct breakers, highlighted by the CB reaching 2700+ RPM. Changeup shows feel with up to 18” arm-side run. Athletic leg… pic.twitter.com/NgIQjJ4pKe
— Prep Baseball New York (@PrepBaseballNY) February 10, 2026
When it comes to the few key returners the Tigers have, one of the brightest spots is superstar pitcher Linus Frederick. Frederick, a Hofstra commit, shined in a big way for the Northport Tigers last season. Frederick pitched to a 5-2 record, allowing only 11 runs across 51 innings pitched. Frederick held batters to a .146 batting average against, and a 1.94 ERA. Last season, Frederick was an All-League pitcher as well.
“He recently hit 92.” Lynch said. “He’s sitting in the 90s right now. He’s probably the hardest thrower we’ve had since I’ve been here. He’s also got some good secondary pitches, including a very sharp slider. If he can get deep into a game, he’s going to win a lot of games for us just by himself. That’s what he did for us last year. He had almost half of our wins last year. He’s a huge return for us. He has a very strict regiment he follows. He’s very diligent in his workouts, he takes exceptional care of his arm and he’s gotten better every year. He has that incredible work ethic and drive, and that’s why he is where he is.”
The second of the big two returners for the Tigers is Old Westbury-commit Shawn Aliperti. Despite getting off to a slow start last year, going hitless in his first 16 at bats, Aliperti immediately turned his season around, hitting .360 the rest of the way. Behind the plate Aliperti threw out 10 runners, and hit .315 this past summer.
“He’s going to be a captain for us.” Lynch said. “He’s a very good two-sport athlete. He plays football as well. He’s going to go play baseball at Old Westbury. He started off slow, and then he hit .360 the rest of the way. We’re hoping for big things from him. We lost basically our whole lineup.”
Catcher Shawn Aliperti (Northport 2026) commits to SUNY Old Westbury pic.twitter.com/aFOgCtXrf8
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 11, 2025
They also return 1B Grant Olson. He was behind All-Leaguer Tony Sylanus last year but they will be looking for him to fill his role and “hopefully provide a much needed boost to the lineup.”
Other key returners for the Tigers are Wesley Bilger, who, although not a starter last year, has been a three-year varsity player on Northport and could step into a much larger role this year. Rounding out the seniors are Dylan Lupo, who Lynch hopes can step up with leadership Michael Hardick, who Lynch complimented for his versatility.
“He’s been a very versatile player for us.” Lynch said. “He didn’t start, but he was basically able to fill any spot needed. Infield, outfield, and he ran the bases for us well.”
A big left handed pitcher, Lynch hopes that Luke Lessig can come through in a big way for the Tigers this year.
“He’s very promising.” Lynch said. “He has good control and command and mixes up his pitches. We’re excited to see what he brings to the table.”
A righty, Chris Cuffo is a hard thrower, and Lynch hopes he can be one of the guys to fill in the losses in the rotation. Cameron Keagel is another name that Lynch cited that could be a big piece on the mound as well. In the field, Lynch is hoping that Luke Bosco and AJ Felice can fill in in the outfield.
With changes to both the coaching staff and the huge player turnover, this will undoubtedly be a different year for Lynch. But Lynch believes that both he and his team are ready to attack this season head on.
“It is a big change for me personally.” Lynch said. “You’re talking about being with people that aren’t just assistants and fellow coaches, but you grow great friendships with them. But it’s definitely going to be new. I’m excited for the youth that’s coming here. We’re going to continue to do what we have been doing to try to be consistent, try to avoid big innings on defense. Baseball doesn’t change if you’re consistent, and that’s what we hope can get back to where we want to be.”
The Northport Tigers will open their season against Huntington.
