Thursday, October 1, 2026
For the first time in program history, the Kennedy Cougars are Nassau County baseball champions.
After falling short in each of the previous two seasons despite reaching the Nassau Class AA finals, Kennedy finally broke through Sunday, defeating No. 1 seed and defending champion Garden City, 4-3, in the decisive third game of the best-of-three series at Farmingdale State College.
The emotional victory capped a memorable run for the Cougars, who took Game 1 2-0 in 12 innings but dropped Game 2, 13-10.
“This means everything to us,” coach Mike Gattus said. “We have our entire school and community behind us so to be able to do this for them is awesome.”
Kennedy (21-4) wasted no time taking control. The Cougars sent Garden City starter Fionn Ryan, who earned the save in Game 2, out of the game after just 2/3rds of an inning during a chaotic four-run top of the first. Kennedy managed only two hits in the frame but capitalized on multiple bases-loaded walks and patient at bats to jump out to a 4-0 lead.
First baseman Dylan Babek delivered a pair of RBIs, helping provide all the offense the Cougars would ultimately need.
“We talked when getting off the bus that we have to come out attacking early and I’m glad I was able to come through for the boys in that first inning,” Babek said.
Garden City answered with a run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first, trimming the deficit to 4-1. Neither team scored in the second before the Trojans crept even closer in the third. Two walks, two wild pitches and a Kennedy error allowed Garden City to plate two runs and make it a one run game.
With momentum suddenly on the opposite side, Kennedy ace Derrick Yormack faced his biggest challenge in the fourth inning. A walk, stolen base and wild pitch put the tying run at third base with nobody out. Yormack responded with three consecutive strikeouts, preserving the lead and swinging momentum back toward the Cougars.
“Once we got to the sixth inning, the adrenaline really hit me and it propelled me to get the team across the finish line,” Yormack said.
The hard-throwing right hander delivered a championship performance, tossing a complete game while striking out 14 to earn his seventh win of the season. According to Gattus, the outing will be remembered for years to come.
“Derek’s performance was legendary,” Gattus said. “He’s a once in a lifetime player and that was a once in a lifetime performance.”
Kennedy nearly added insurance in the sixth when second baseman Frankie Stella ripped a ground-rule double and advanced to third, but Garden City escaped the threat. Stella also made several outstanding defensive plays to help protect the slim lead.
It ultimately didn’t matter. After escaping the fourth-inning jam, Yormack was untouchable, retiring the final 12 batters he faced.
“The team played amazing,” Yormack said. “We always have each other’s backs. We’ve been working for this since September at workouts and practices and it all worked out in the end.”
For a Kennedy team that spent three years chasing the moment, the celebration was long overdue.
“This is something that I’ve been dreaming of for three years since I was a freshman,” Babek said.
Now, the Cougars turn their attention toward the Long Island Class AA championship. They’ll be back at Farmingdale State Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to take on Hauppauge.
“We just have to take this day by day at practice with hard work so that we can be prepared for the Long Island championship,” Babek said.
The Cougars, who eliminated MacArthur and Clarke on the way to the finals, won a marathon series opener Thursday as Yormack blasted a homer in the top of the 12th for the eventual winning run. Babek pitched nine scoreless innings, firing 123 pitches, and Max Goodman earned the win in relief.
Garden City kept its season alive Friday despite Kennedy’s 8-run explosion in the bottom of the fifth that turned a 6-2 deficit into a 10-6 lead. Matt Tolipano had two hits in the inning, including a bases-loaded triple.
