Mahopac Baseball 13U Takes GHVBL Summer Crown

MAHOPAC, N.Y. -  Mahopac Baseball 13U turned a spring disappointment into summer delight by winning the Division 3 Greater Hudson Valley Baseball League title at Lakeland High School earlier this month.

“Mahopac Baseball 13U ground its way to the championship,” said head coach Pete Maccio, whose son Peter had a strong season for the team. “This makes two championship wins in the last four years. The team entered the GHVBL in Division 4 and won a championship in the fall of 2021. We proceeded to move up to Division 3 and won our second championship this year. This fall we will take on our new challenge and hope to win the next championship in Division 2.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

In taking the summer title, Mahopac showed it could win both pitchers’ duels and slugfests—and had the grit to rebound from the disappointment of playoff elimination after its strong spring.

Mahopac went 12-0 in that campaign before being knocked out in the second round of the playoffs by Rockland Elite, 6-2, a loss that fueled the team’s journey to the title this summer.

A 13-7 regular summer season record secured first place and a bye going into the playoffs. And this time, there would be no knockout blow to spoil the party.

On July 29, Mahopac won a 3-2 nailbiter against the New Rochelle Knights with a walk-off hit by Randy Castaldo. Cole Brandstetter pitched a complete game for the win, striking out three and allowing two earned runs.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

Mahopac dominated its next matchup against the Baseball Academy Thrashers, winning 8-0 on Aug. 1 with a combined shutout by Aydan McPhillips (2.2 innings pitched, 5Ks), Logan McDonnell (3.1 IP, 3Ks) and Peter Maccio (1 IP, 2Ks).

Castaldo went 2-3, with 2 runs and a stolen base in a balanced attack that saw major contributions from McPhillips (2-2, 2Rs, RBI, SB), Maccio (2-3, R, 3 RBIs, SB) and Mason Kugler (2-3, R, RBI).

Mahopac would need that offensive power and more for its Aug. 4 championship game against Bulldogs Baseball Academy. With Jack Acocella (2-4, 2 runs and 3 steals), McPhillips (2-3, R, 2 RBIs), Maccio (2-3, R, BB), and Max Obijiski (1-4, 1 R 2 RBIs, 2 steals) leading the attack, Mahopac prevailed 11-8 to clinch the title.

McPhillips pitched 3.1 innings (3 ER, 5Ks) to earn the win. Brandstetter stepped in to pitch 3.2 innings (2 ER, 2 Ks) to secure the save.

“We have a very deep, versatile squad that has some amazing pitching, great defense, and 13 kids who battle every time they step in the box,” coach Maccio said.

Over the season, Leo Przymylski led Mahopac at the plate, hitting .429 (.538 on-base percentage), with McPhillips (.426 avg, .533 OBP, 1 HR, 12 runs, 13 RBIs, 8 2Bs) also hitting over .400. Acocella (.353, .421 OBP, 15 RBIs, 26 R, 16 SB, 4 2Bs), Maccio (.345 avg, .451 OBP, 14 RBIs, 16 Rs, 4 2B), Jack Safieh (.327, .403 OBP, 11 RBIs, 9 R) and Cole McKenna (.311, .425 OB, 21 RBIs, 8 R) also stood out at the plate.

Brandstetter set the pace on the mound, going 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA and 15 strikeouts. McPhillips (3-1, 2.77 ERA) led the team with 46 strikeouts. Logan McDonnell (3-1, 2.43 ERA, 2 saves, 11Ks), Ryan Giorgianni (2-2, 2.21 ERA, 15Ks), and Obijiski (3-0, 3.34 ERA, 10Ks) also had strong seasons.

After winning the title close to home, Mahopac traveled to Delaware for the Sports at the Beach tournament from Aug. 9-12, where “the boys went up against some stiff competition from teams from all over the northeast,” coach Maccio said. “It was a memorable experience for all the players and their families.

“This growth is a testament to the hard work put in by the players, coaches, and families and the dedication of everyone working hard and also staying together throughout the years, as we see more and more local town teams disbanding with kids going to local club teams,” the coach added. “Being a local town team in Mahopac makes it even more special when we win these championships. It’s a great feeling knowing these boys represent the town of Mahopac and a bright future for Mahopac baseball going forward.”

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net