Accomplishing something that no Manhasset High School Baseball team has done in 32 years, the varsity boys clinched its first conference championship since 1976 with an 11-3 win over Lynbrook on May 6. Head coach Rich Hess and assistant coach Bruce Minerley have led the program to a 14-5 record, while also earning their third consecutive trip to the county playoffs.

"Coach Minerley and I went into 2008 expecting to have a successful season" said Coach Hess, "but due to our untested pitching staff and young players at some key positions, we in no way were ready to predict a championship. But every time we've needed a key pitch, a timely hit, or a spectacular play in the field, we've gotten it. All of our guys have stepped up, and it has led to our championship season. Now we are very focused on taking our game to the next level in the playoffs".

The 2008 squad is loaded with talent and has seen every member of the club contribute to this year's success. The Indians are led at the plate by senior captain Carmine DiGruccio and sophomore shortstop Matt Demitroff. DiGruccio is hitting .446 and has established himself as one of the premier defensive catchers in Nassau County while Demitroff is batting .444 and is one of Long Island's top base runners with 33 stolen bases.

The mound corps have been led by four juniors who have all registered ERAs under 3.00. Michael Snee, Chris Martelli, Stephen Toole and Michael Anderson have combined to give coach Hess one of the deeper pitching staffs in the county. Snee, with a 4-1 record, pitched a no-hitter against Malverne while Chris Martelli earned Newsday Player of the Week honors for his 2-1 pitching victory, while also hitting two home runs, against New Hyde Park. Toole is 4-0 and Anderson has been solid out of the bullpen and also played errorless first base.

The Indians have also produced some outstanding individual performances. Sophomore Tommy Heenan stroked a walk-off home run in the 8th inning against Locust Valley. Senior third baseman Taylor Bines hit a 385 foot homer at Valley Stream South. Senior center fielder Eric DiAndrea made several diving catches and leads a speedy outfield team which includes Juniors Robert Reichenbach and Alex Snee.

A shoulder injury has kept last year's standout pitcher Stephen Madison off the mound this season, but the Junior still has been a strong contributor at the plate with several key hits in important situations. Junior Mike Drago has been a solid contributor and Sophomore Brian Diaz is being groomed to add more talent to next year's pitching staff.

The Indians will face Garden City in the first round of the County Championships.

Go Indians!