East Coast Lumberjacks
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Jason Davis
by Trevor Dugan (Editor’s Note: This is the eleventh installment of the Up Next series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Jack Mulligan, Alex Pagano, Quincy Gibbs, Michael Cotto, Charlie Edwards, Evan Picciano, Nick Lawrence, Robbie Mascia, Jacob Abran and Tyler Camastro. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm for sponsoring this year’s series.) Middle infielder Jason Davis (Riverhead 2028) is a hard hitting lefty with the @ec_lumberjacks. He was called up to varsity as an eighth grader in 2024. His brother Braden played for the University of Maine, and is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery pic.twitter.com/9LEXOBQKRa — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 9, 2025 It was a renaissance season for Riverhead in 202...
Get to Know: Jacob Schmutz
Most amateur ballplayers have the vision that there will be a linear path to success. The reality is that often times it is more like an EKG with plenty of fluctuations along the way. Jacob Schmutz began his high school career at Patchogue-Medford as a right-handed pitcher and switch hitter. Just three years later, he’s at a new school (St. John the Baptist), doesn’t pitch, hits lefty and is a Division-I signee. Quite a bit of change. Schmutz, who is among the leading hitters in the Catholic League in a variety of categories, has put himself on the short list of top players on Long Island through hard work and resiliency. As of the time of this writing, he is batting .364 with a .517 OBP, .705 SLG (1.222 OPS) with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 12 w...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Aidan Devane
(Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of the popular “Up Next” series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell, Dom Muccia, Logan Lamberson, Fred Klauck, Jake Ostertag, Mason Gatchalian, Jagger Franco, Evan Frangas, Ryan Matson, Dylan Frers, Aidan Dobrie, Tyler D’Amico, Lucas Sweeting, Shea Corona, Van Johnson, SJ Garneau & Connor Bletsch. You can read them all by clicking here. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Aidan Devane (Sayville 2028) pic.twitter.com/lWZj16a8W6 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 17, 2025 In our season preview last week for Sayville HS, the main takeaway for the upcoming season is that they are...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Mason Gatchalian
(This is the ninth installment of the popular “Up Next” series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we featured Dylan Weinstein, Jaxson Torres, Richie Roberts, Joe Maxwell, Dom Muccia, Fred Klauck, Logan Lamberson and Jake Ostertag. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) 1B Mason Gatchalian (Eastport-South Manor 2027) displaying his power with a homer at Diamond Nation pic.twitter.com/UEUt8aHKMn — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) December 30, 2024 Mason Gatchalian put himself on the map this spring for Eastport-South Manor as he was not only called up to varsity as a freshman, but batted in the middle of the order every game and was also their high-leverage reliever. He comes from a baseball f...
Recap of Saturday’s Axcess World Series at PAL Stadium
by Trevor Dugan Long Island Crew Defeat the East Coast Lumberjacks The Crew earn a six run victory over the Lumberjacks FINAL (5): Crew 7 – Lumberjacks 1 pic.twitter.com/PLAXpKWABE — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 7, 2024 The East Coast Lumberjacks and Long Island Crew kicked off day two of the Axcess World Series this morning at PAL Stadium. The Lumberjacks sent out Nick Vignola (Shoreham-Wading River 2026) to start on the mound, while the Crew started James Rugolo (Babylon 2025). The pair of starters each pitched a scoreless first inning to begin the game. In the second inning, the Crew brought in RHP Joe Cavallo (Babylon 2025). He would pitch the next two innings and strike out five batters, allowing no runs while doing it. When asked about his approach on the mo...
Up Next Powered by State Farm Ken Kortright Agency: Evan Fallon
Evan Fallon (St. Anthony’s 2027) pic.twitter.com/tCbuoNiGcG — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 19, 2024 Despite sustaining an injury in the summer that limited his game-action, Evan Fallon recovered and posted a terrific fall season for the East Coast Lumberjacks. He compiled 45 at bats playing between the 2028s and 2026s. In that time, he notched 16 hits with 5 doubles, 2 triples and 12 RBIs. He was also able to notch 17 strikeouts over his 11 innings. Since that time, he has gained strength and has been reportedly siting 80 MPH and touching 83 MPH. This is for a 9th grader that hasn’t played a game of varsity ball yet at St. Anthony’s. His older brother, Joe, also attends St. Anthony’s and is one year older – he is committed to Long Island University....
Up Next Powered by State Farm Ken Kortright Agency: Andrew Poxon
(Editor’s Note: This is the 15th installment of the “Up Next” series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously we highlighted Everett Zarzicki, Brian Brower, Stellan Zangari, Ryan Bush, Bryce Cutrone, Justin Ortiz, Colin Raymond, Jagger Adamo, JD Duffy, Chris Sultana, Matt Zambriski, Tucker Brown, Christian Calabro and Derek & Ryan Yormack. Special thanks to State Farm Ken Kortright Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Sometimes it’s easy to forget how young a player is, when they carry themselves a certain way and play at a high level. It’s even easier to forget when they are head & shoulders above their competition – both literally and figuratively. Fourteen-year-old, 6’3 RHP Andrew Poxon was light...
East Coast Lumberjacks Working Hard Entering 2024 Season
This past Sunday, I was down at 365 Athletics to watch the Winter Workout for the East Coast Lumberjacks organization. It was an incredibly talented group with plenty of future college players. Here’s a quick rundown of the top performers from this past summer from throughout their program: Season stats for Mount Sinai sophomore Bennie Franquiz (11 games) 23-for-35 (.657 AVG), 15 runs, 19 RBIs, 6 doubles, 10 BBs, 0 Ks, .717 OBP, .828 SLG, 17 stolen bases pic.twitter.com/RDDmdtXBB6 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 22, 2023 2024 grads Nicholas Mirabile (2025 grad, College of Charleston-commit): .349 AVG, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 3 HRs, 21 SBs Bennie Franquiz (2025 grad, Army-commit): .340 AVG, 6 doubles, 2 triples, only 8 strikeouts in 165 PA Robbie Melo (Army-commit): .345 A...
Up Next Powered by State Farm Ken Kortright Agency: Matt Zambriski
It is no secret that players on Long Island have long been overlooked. More specifically, players from the east end have been overlooked as they have to not only deal with the cold weather, but the issue that some college coaches and pro scouts don’t often make the trek out east. Some players have broken through recently, specifically Kyle McGowin of Pierson and Chris Pike of Southampton, but the challenge remains. Travel organizations like the East Coast Lumberjacks are helping to eliminate that challenge as they travel around and play in the most competitive tournaments in the country during the summer. Riverhead RHP/INF Matt Zambrinski is one of those players that is hoping to break through. The big righty was called up to varsity as an 8th grader. His coach, Kevin Kerman, had the...
Joey Lionetti Reflects On The Year That Changed His Life
Wow ! Joey Lionetti fires a no-hitter and for the first time in their 72-year history Massapequa Coast is headed to the Little League World Series ! pic.twitter.com/NROC1fF8i6 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 13, 2022 On August 12, Joey Lionetti did not just introduce himself to a national audience – but he burst onto the scene with a no-hitter on ESPN to send Massapequa Coast to the Little League World Series for the first time in the program’s 72-year history. The ensuing days were a mad rush of media attention and it would be understandable to be overwhelmed as a 12-year-old. Overall he posted some incredible numbers – it wasn’t just the no-hitter. He went 8-3 over 51 innings, striking out 68 batters against just 42 hits and a 2.35 ERA and 1.19 WHIP ...
Exclusive Q & A With Ole Miss-commit Josh Knoth
Bottom 2: Knoth gets back to work in a scoreless game pic.twitter.com/i8Eg8wC06f — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 27, 2022 Long Island is a pitching-rich region, and right now there is nobody that possesses more talent and current pedigree than Josh Knoth. He won the Carl Yastrzemski Award given to the top player in Suffolk County. Since then, he has appeared in the Area Code Games, East Coast Pro, the PG All-American Game, Baseball Factory All-American Game and the MLB/USA All-American Game. He is projected to be a third-round pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, but with an outside shot to go earlier if he matches or exceeds his 2022 season. He also signed his NLI with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) – one of the top programs in the country. But despite all the atte...
East Coast Lumberjacks 2023s Season Recap
Below is a season recap for the East Coast Lumberjacks 2023s, who were one of the top performing teams this season. (Editor’s Note: The following information was sent in by the organization) Record: 35-23-1 (35 games played against Perfect Game Top 100 teams nationally) Received PG WWBA World Wood Bat Championship Bid (Most prestigious event in amateur baseball) Finalist at PG 17u Mid-Atlantic World Series Finalist at PG WWBA Northeast Qualifier Semifinalist at PG WWBA Ohio Valley Qualifier Playoff appearance at PG WWBA National Championship in Georgia *Most Competitive schedule in the northeast* National events in Texas, Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Florida (twice), Ohio (twice). Only team in the northeast to compete in all these PG Events on an annual basis 20 Division-I commits on t...
