2025 New York Astros Repeat as Long Island Midweek 45+ Summer Champions

Long Island Midweek MSBL, 45+ Division

New York Astros 9, Massapequa Cardinals 1 (Game two in best-of-three championship series sweep)

Submitted by Tom Conley

Behind speed, grit, and determination, the NY Astros 45+ powered their way to a 16-6 overall record and won the summer championship for the second consecutive year.

However, the 2025 campaign did not start out that way.  By mid-May, the organization was 3-5 overall across two leagues and the Midweek team’s record stood at 1-3, highlighted by a walk-off defeat at the hands of the L. I. Legends.

Then, on May 15, a 3-2 victory over the Mid-Island Mets seemed to be the turning point of the season.  In that game, Dave Brohman’s six strong innings and the team’s sharp defense helped the Astros edge the Mets in a tight one-run game.  Key timely hits from Jason Foehrenbach and Dave Brohman propelled the team to victory.  That game seemed to set the tone and formula for the rest of the season.  Good pitching, aggressive base running, solid defense, and timely hitting became our calling card.

The Astros demonstrated they could run with anyone by constantly putting pressure on opposing defenses.  The team featured five or more stolen bases in multiple games, with Greg Visco (20), Mike Gillespie (16), Dave Rivera (11), and Omar Norris (8) leading the charge all season long on the basepaths.

Offensively, the Astros got contributions from every spot in the lineup, although our primary strength was two-out hitting and, more importantly, clutch hitting.  Veteran hitters like Scott Miller (a perfect 4-for-4 vs. Mariners on June 17) and Jason Foehrenbach (3-for-3 with 2 RBIs vs. Indians on June 26) continued to deliver when it counted.

The middle of the order was anchored all season by Erik Maldonado (22H, 21RBI), Scott Miller (14H, 11RBI), and Omar Norris, who led the team in extra base hits with three doubles and two triples.  Setting the table for the year were Greg Visco (27R, 21H), Patrick O’Donnell (22R, 15BB), and Vinny Lucarelli (1.125OPS, 12R).

2025 NY Astros Batting Average Leaders:

Dave Brohman #16	.444	Scott Miller #8	.400
Greg Visco #2	.420	Joe Duggan #20	.395
Erik Maldonado #48	.415

The season was full of triumphs and drama that would test our toughness and resolve.  Separate four and five-game winning streaks had the Astros hitting on all cylinders and looking great.  At the same time, we had a couple of crucial home losses and got walked off twice.  However, the team managed to respond every time we faced adversity.

We knew the playoffs were going to be a tough hill to climb, and the teams ahead of us in the standings were going to be tough to beat.  However, with the team feeling confident and gelling, we felt we had a chance in the postseason.  Of course, pitching and defense led the way.

2025 NY Astros Pitching Leaders:

Dave Brohman #16	42 IP, 5 Wins, 2 Saves, ERA 1.33	Dave Rivera #19	29 IP, 3 Wins, ERA 2.90
Larry Goggin #12	37 IP, 4 Wins, ERA 4.16	Tommy Conley #18	16 IP, 2 Wins, ERA 3.50

The Astros outlasted the Mid-Island Mets in a thrilling 3-game series in the semi-final round.  In game 1, the team battled back from a 3-1 deficit late in the game to take the lead and win 5-3.  Dave Brohman delivered a complete game seven-strikeout performance that really set the tone.  Scott Miller and Greg Visco each had two hits to keep pace with the Mets.  Greg Visco’s late-inning sacrifice fly and Mike Gillespie’s two-out, 2-RBI hit powered the comeback.

In game 2, the Astros jumped out to an early lead.  However, the Mets’ bullpen frustrated the Astros and kept us at bay the rest of the way.  The Mets offense was able to push a few runs across late in the game to secure a 7-2 victory to tie the series at 1-1.  Erik Maldonado and Phil Baldwin led the offense with multi-hit games.  Unfortunately, we left a small village on the base paths, and the Mets, like all good teams, capitalized.

In game 3, the Astros jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, advancing to the finals with an 8-0 victory.  Scott Miller’s RBI single in the first gave us an early lead and set the tone.  A four-run third inning, fueled by RBI hits from Greg Visco, Dave Rivera, and Scott Miller, put the game out of reach.  Dave Brohman (7IP, 8K, 0 ER) was dominant and threw a complete game gem for the win.  The team headed into the championship round with momentum, pitching depth, and an offense firing on all cylinders.

In the Finals, the NY Astros capped off a remarkable summer and secured the championship with a 2-game sweep of a very good Massapequa Cardinals team.  In game 1, the Astros set the tone for the series with a decisive 16-4 win over the Cardinals.

Erik Maldonado went a perfect 3-for-3 with multiple RBIs, and Joe Duggan drove in three runs to ignite the offense.  Omar Norris and Vinny Lucarelli came up big early and chipped in with RBI hits to put the game out of reach.  Dave Rivera earned the win with a complete game, allowing just two earned runs over seven strong innings.  The Astros racked up 14 hits and 10 walks, while stealing an eye-popping 13 bases, led by Greg Visco, Erik Maldonado, and Dave Rivera.

In game 2, with the championship on the line, the Astros turned to ace Dave Brohman, who once again delivered.  The right-hander tossed a complete game two-hitter with seven strikeouts in a 9–1 clincher.  Erik Maldonado’s RBI in the first gave the Astros an early lead, followed by Matt Avila’s RBI double in the second and Phil Baldwin’s two-run double in the third to break the game open.  The team swiped eight more bases, with Greg Visco leading the way with two.

The Finals showcased everything that made the Astros dangerous all season:

• 25 total runs on 24 hits across two games
• 20 stolen bases in two games
• 2 Complete games from Astros pitching with only 5 total runs allowed

The Astros played their best baseball when it counted the most to win in 2025 and repeat as 45+ Midweek Champions.