Mahopac senior Lichtenberger walks tall, carries big stick

Baseball is in his blood.

America’s pastime has always been more than a sport for Mahopac senior Drew Lichtenberger—it’s a family inheritance. Long before the captain was commanding games from behind the dish, he was the kid hearing about his uncle – former Mahopac All-American and MLB pitcher Dave Fleming – carve up hitters and win a College World Series at the University of Georgia.

That legacy didn’t intimidate young Drew; it fueled the fire in his belly. Ever since he can remember, Lichtenberger has taken to baseball, shining upon it… like a crazy diamond.

In this, his senior year, the All-NYS captain was carrying a heavy bat in the Wolf Pac lineup, with an OPS (on-base plus slugging) percentage north of 1.300 to go with four homers and 20 RBIs in the first 14 games.

Additionally, he plies his craft behind the dish like few before him in Section 1 history, giving the Wolf Pac pitching staff an edge they take full advantage of.

Now, in his final high school season, Lichtenberger is shaping a legacy of his own, creating the kind of presence that makes opposing hurlers rethink their pitch selection. But as impressive as the numbers are, they barely scratch the surface of his value. Ask anyone around the program, and they’ll tell you the same thing:

Lichtenberger changes the game before he ever steps into the batter’s box.

Mahopac manager Anthony Nappi sees it every inning. The way Lichtenberger receives borderline pitches and turns them into strikes. The way he smothers balls in the dirt, giving his pitchers the freedom to attack hitters without fear. The way would-be base runners hesitate — and usually stay put — because they know the cannon behind the plate is waiting for them.

His impact is equal parts skill, toughness and instinct, the kind of combination that makes a pitching staff breathe easier.

“A lot of what Drew does, does not show up in a stat sheet,” Nappi said. “For example, the way he receives the baseball is just perfect. Umpires get a good look and he makes sure we get those borderline calls. He controls pitches in the dirt, which is infinitely important because all our pitchers know they can spike a pitch and it won’t hurt them because they got Drew to keep it under control.”

Nappi said stealing bases against Lichtenberger’s cannon is strictly forbidden, punishable by a seat in the dugout.

“Base runners don’t even typically attempt to steal, and when they do Drew makes sure to remind them why it’s not the best idea,” Nappi said. “The confidence our guys have in Drew to do these things behind the plate makes pitching significantly easier, and I haven’t even mentioned the fact that the kid mashes and rises to the occasion against top-level arms.”

And yet, baseball isn’t his only stage. Lichtenberger was also a key contributor on the Mahopac basketball team, helping push the Wolf Pac to the brink of a sectional semifinal before a narrow loss to Yorktown. Two sports, two roles, one constant: he competes with an edge that elevates everyone around him.

Later this summer, he’ll head to Adelphi University, where he’ll continue chasing the dream that’s been in his blood since childhood — to follow his uncle into professional baseball.

For now, though, Mahopac gets one more season of its steady, powerful, quietly dominant catcher—a senior who walks tall, carries a big stick, and commands the field as only a handful of Mahopac baseball players ever have.

You had a lot of schools to choose from. What made Adelphi stand out? I felt like Adelphi was the perfect mix of competitive baseball and academic excellence in the business category.

College major intentions: Finance

What’s been the most challenging part of high school for you? Realizing that it’s almost over. These have been some of the best years of my life playing with the group of guys that I have been so fortunate to play with.

What’s your favorite memory, thus far, of your time at Mahopac High School? When we beat the undefeated state champions, Ketcham, my freshman year, and my first-inning home run against Yorktown in the section semifinals.

It’s been nearly 30 years since Mahopac baseball last won the Section 1 title. What gives you hope that the Wolf Pac can end that drought this spring? We returned 16 of our guys this year, and I have full trust in all 16 of them because of the work ethic and character they all have. We have our fun but when it’s time to focus everyone is dialed in and focused completely on getting better and being the best baseball team we can be.

Is Nick Masciarelli the best battery mate of your career? Yeah Nick is great, we play together in the summer too, so I think that one reason he pitches so well is because of our chemistry. I’ve caught thousands of pitches from him and he still shocks me every single time he pitches. I will give a shoutout to Tyler Castrataro and Tyler DeBrocky though, that’s two more guys that were awesome to catch.

Your uncle Dave (Fleming) was Mahopac’s first All-American baseball player—pretty dang good in his college heyday, too, en route to an MLB career. How has he influenced your sports career? I am very fortunate and lucky to have an uncle like mine. Even though we played different positions, he is still a role model for me and someone I look up to every day. He comes to a lot of my games and when he can’t, he is always watching on LocalLive. He is always giving me advice on how to be better and how to have good character, and I appreciate it more than he knows.

Has any particular teacher or administrator within your time in the MCSD who has made an especially big difference in your life? Coach Nappi has definitely been a huge part of my life. He put his trust in me when he took me on varsity in my freshman year and after that, I don’t question any of the stuff he says. He also played a tremendous part in my recruiting process, any time I would talk to him about a school he would be in contact with immediately. Also, [Yorktown coach and former major leaguer] CJ Riefenhauser. Although he isn’t a Mahopac teacher, he is a Mahopac grad. He played a huge role also in my recruiting process and for that I am very grateful.

People are so divided these days, what trait do you possess that might unify us? I feel like people thrive off my leadership qualities and my competitiveness and that makes our team unified and like a family. I also give credit to the rest of my captains who do an amazing job with this team.

What do you see yourself accomplishing five to 10 years from now? Hopefully, in a few years I will have put up great numbers in college and declared my name in the MLB draft. If not, then I hope for a successful career in business.

Name a chore that you hate: Taking out the trash.

Favorite place to visit: Florida

Hobbies, outside of sports: I love golfing and spending time with family and friends.

Best slice of pizza in Mahopac: Peppino’s

Favorite local restaurant: Bliss

What are you an expert at? Math

What are you not nearly an expert at? Golf

Favorite music/band: Treaty Oak Revival

Favorite sport to watch: Basketball

Favorite professional athlete: Akshay Bhatia

Favorite pro and/or college teams: Yankees, Adelphi