Martin Luther School’s baseball players are setting their sights on big wins this season. Photo by Michael Florio
Just two years removed from being crowned the Private School Athletics Association Division II champions, Maspeth’s Martin Luther School baseball team is looking to return to its winning ways.
After winning the league championship, head coach John Della Marco stepped down and assistant Robert Lowig took over.
Lowig is seeking to build upon last season’s late push that saw the Cougars squeak into the playoffs. The Cougars finished 2-6 last season and were able to claim the last playoff spot before being eliminated in the first round.
The Cougars sport a young team this season, as only three of their 15 players are upperclassmen. Lowig’s goal this year is to teach this young team the meaning of team unity and dedication to the sport.
“Sometimes the kids treat it like an after school activity, but I try to instill it into them that it’s a varsity sport and it should be taken seriously,” he said.
Despite that, Lowig sees plenty of potential in his team.
“These freshmen have a lot of skill and I am hopeful that this young team can build toward winning a championship in the next couple of years,” he said. “We want to hone their skills and put together a good program this year and going forward.”
The team’s strength relies in the arm of Tyler FayConsolo.
“He’s a strong pitcher, he can throw a lot of pitches and he is ready to go every game,” said Lowig.
Kahmari Rabsatt, a junior, continues to get better in his third year as the team’s starting catcher. Isaiah Kablack serves as a team leader both on and off the field.
While Lowig sees talent in his players, he also sees room to improve. The team needs to improve on the fundamentals, down to just throwing and catching, which will improve at practice if the team is dedicated, he said.
Hitting the curveball is a key aspect he wants his team to improve upon. That was a key aspect at practice last week for the Cougars.
The Cougars recently faced Key Forest and struggled against the curveball.
“Their pitcher was throwing a curve and we were jumping out of the box and not able to stay in there and put some wood on it,” said Lowig.
Despite not being able to hit the curveball the Cougars were able to pull out the win against Kew Forest. The win put the Cougars at 1-0-1 in the season, as they tied Portledge in their first game.
In their toughest test yet, the Cougars took on Brooklyn Friends, who Lowig called a perennial powerhouse in the league.
By Michael Florio
