Lynbrook poised for playoff run

Lynbrook’s Austin Bilello preserved pitcher Paul Papandrew’s no-hitter at Lawrence on April 23 with a diving catch in the outfield.

J.Heck/Herald

It happens every spring, or so it seems, for the Lynbrook Owls. After some early growing pains, Al Marrazzo’s team is poised to play some meaningful May baseball. At 5-8, including 5-6 in conference play, the Owls lead Nassau A-IV and have their sights set on the playoffs, where they have been bracket-busters in recent seasons. The final six games, three against Manhasset and another three against Valley Stream South, will decide things.

“Every game from here on in is a playoff game,” Marrazzo said.

The home stretch began with a road game at Manhasset. The last couple of seasons, the Owls have done their best work in May. Their postseason runs have included dramatic victories and heartbreaking losses. Last season, the Owls won a first-round playoff game with a seventh-inning double and lost in the second round on a walkoff homerun. Once again, it will be sadness or euphoria for the Owls.

“It’s either going to be exhilarating or real disappointment for us in the end,” Marrazzo said. “But that’s fun; that’s why you play the game.”

The Owls’ began their run for the postseason by sweeping Lawrence in three games: 11-1, 6-0 and 15-5. In the middle game, Paul Papendrew tossed a no-hitter. There were anxious moments with two away in the seventh inning — for everyone but Papendrew. The only guy who wasn’t aware on the no-hitter was the one throwing it.

“He had absolutely no clue,” Marrazzo said. 

Papendrew was mobbed by his teammates, who had to tell the pitcher what he’d just done. Then they doused him with water. 

Marrazzo had no indication that Papendrew was destined to throw a gem when he walked three hitters in the first inning. But Papendrew helped himself in the field, starting a key double play, and then settled into a groove.

Chris Roepken started and won the opening game of the Lawrence series, allowing a run on three hits. Austin Bilello drove in five runs, including four on one swing, his first-inning grand slam that put the Owls ahead to stay. After Papendrew’s performance in the middle game, the Owls jumped all over Lawrence in the finale. Bilello, Ian Ried and Nick Roepken each had three hits. Chris Roepken added two hits. The Roepken brothers are, according to Marrazzo, “as hot as can be.” Ried, also a pitcher, has hit the ball well all season.

The Owls did not get off to a fast start, losing their first two, and five of their first six. The lone win in that span was a 10-5 decision over Mineola in which Chris Roepken pitched six strong innings and also had three hits. Roepken, Marrazzo said, has “been good every time out.” The Owls defense, on the other hand, was not great early on. Once they started flashing the leather, the wins were easier to come by.

The fun has just begun.