Baldwin baseball packed punch

Baldwin had a tough assignment in Nassau County's top baseball conference (AA-I), but the youthful Bruins more than held their own in compiling a 10-8 mark.

Senior third baseman Eddie Murer's was named the conference's Most Valuable Player and a number of his teammates also earned individual awards. The campaign ended in the first round of the Nassau Class AA playoffs on May 15 when the fifth-seeded Bruins dropped an 11-6 decision to No. 12 Plainview-JFK.

Murer, a four-year starter, earned his third consecutive All-County honor and also took home the biggest individual hardware offered—the MVP award—after setting a school-record with a .627 batting average and tying for the county home run lead with seven. His sixth homer was just one in a line of big plate appearances this season and brought Baldwin back to tie a game it would eventually win, 11-9, in the regular-season finale against Freeport. "This year he probably won three games for us in the seventh inning," coach Frank Esposito said of the Bruins third conference MVP since 2003 and first since '05. "He comes up with the big play at the right time. He makes things happen, and that's why he's the MVP."

Murer wasn't limited to line drives and long bombs over outfielders. What may be even more impressive than his power is his speed—he swiped 32 bases in 32 attempts and scored 31 runs. He also struck out just four times in 53 at bats.

While the loss of Murer next season will leave a big void, the blow will be softened by a lengthy list of returning players that includes junior All-County shortstop—and ace of the pitching staff—Nick LoBello, who batted .573 while hitting second and third in the lineup and has started every game since jumping the varsity level as an eighth-grader. 

Senior left fielder/first baseman Jeremy Vasquez, junior center fielder Jake Cleva and junior catcher Louie Aponte, all earned All-Conference honors with Aponte one of Baldwin's biggest surprises. Despite limited experience behind the plate, he took over the starting role and became a secret weapon of sorts, throwing out eight of 11 runners who attempted to steal and picking three more off the basepaths. "He was going to be a starter somewhere," Esposito said of Aponte. "But what he did behind the plate was unbelievable. He has such a strong arm, and he was like a cat back there blocking balls."

Junior Tommy Kelleher transitioned from outfielder to the No. 2 arm in the rotation, earned All-League honors, and turned in his best game against a MacArthur team that's in the county championship series. "We knew he was a good outfielder but as a pitcher he pitched above and beyond what we dreamed," Esposito said.

Freshman Danny Capone, who saw time at third, designated hitter and as a utility player, captured honorable mention All-League honors, while sophomore Nolan Miller had a strong debut at first base.