Wolf Pac senior Nick Masciarelli found a groove that few pitchers in Mahopac history have ever touched. Facing eventual Section 1 Class AA champion Rye, Masciarelli delivered a one‑hit, five‑inning masterpiece in a 12-0 rout that forced a winner-take-all showdown between two state‑ranked heavyweights, Rye (No. 7) and Mahopac (No. 15) when all was said and done.
Masciarelli struck out 15 of the 16 batters he faced, a staggering display of dominance that instantly entered the conversation as one of the most overpowering pitching performances in Section 1 playoff history. The two-time All-Section hurler also fired a complete game no-hitter in a 2025 quarterfinal win over Somers.
But baseball can be cruel, and indeed it was for Mahopac in the end.
Rye ultimately eliminated Mahopac in the double‑elimination final on June 1, crushing the Wolf Pac’s bid to end a 29‑year championship drought in what may stand as the most gut‑wrenching loss in Mahopac baseball history. The Pac had Rye down to its final strike multiple times, clinging to a 2–1 lead, before the Garnets mounted a stunning, last‑frame rally to flip the script and steal a 5–2 title-clinching victory.
Masciarelli and his distraught teammates were forced to watch a Rye celebration that woulda, coulda, shoulda been theirs.
Still, Masciarelli finished the season 9-2, with staggering numbers: 64 IP, 121 Ks, 0.547 ERA, .609 WHIP and .121 BAA. The kind of numbers that place him alongside some of the greatest of Mahopac greats, MLB draftee Dave Fleming and two-time sectional champion Chris Tantalos included.
“I can't say who the best pitcher was all-time at Mahopac because there were a lot of awesome pitchers in the '70s, '80s and '90s,” said former legendary coach and 2025-26 school year Superintendent Frank Miele, who led Mahopac to five sectional titles, including back-to-back in 1996-97. “But Nick is right there on the top of any list in Mahopac history. He had it all, as well as being one of the toughest competitors I've ever seen. My biggest compliment to Nick was that when he pitched I saw a version of Chris Tantalos out on the mound. You know what I thought of Chris. I told Nick that he is the closest pitcher I ever compared to Chris. Nick could have been the star pitcher on any Mahopac team. He is truly a special athlete who doesn't come around that often. We were lucky to have him.”
Current Mahopac coach Anthony Nappi said Masciarelli left every ounce of everything he had each time he crossed the white lines.
“Nick Masciarelli is the kind of player that you may only get once in your career as a coach,” Nappi said. “He is a special player on and off the field.”
Masciarelli didn’t pop off the page originally, but once he put it together, all bets were off.
“It’s funny because I thought Nick was going to be a good pitcher, I was excited about him,” Nappi said. “But, truly, I never imagined anything like this—and that’s all credit to him.”
Nappi credits Masciarelli’s work ethic as his biggest asset.
“I’ve said this before, but everyone thinks you’re just born with ability,” the coach said. “Sometimes that might be true, but ability is just [potential] without a work ethic. Nick Masciarelli’s work ethic is his super power. That kind of focus is instilled by a great support system, his parents – Jon and Jen – did a great job pushing the right values on and off the field. The way he dedicates himself to his craft and works relentlessly to be perfect is just incredible to watch. People are in awe of him, and honestly every accolade that he’s gotten and has coming his way is earned.”
Masciarelli’s will to win and compete, at all costs, is immeasurable.
“Besides his work ethic, Nick has a ferocious level of competitiveness in him,” Nappi said. “He wants the ball in the biggest moments. He won’t back down from anyone, and if things get tough he smiles at the challenge. I’m going to miss watching him compete and work. I was truly blessed to get to coach him. His impact will go beyond the years he’s spent here. He taught a lot of younger guys what it takes to be great, and that impact will, hopefully, be felt for years to come.
We’ve learned a few key things about what makes the Wolf Pac co-captain – who will continue pitching at Wagner on the college level – tick. Here are some more.
You had a lot of schools to choose from, what made Wagner College stand out? The coaching staff made it feel like it was home, also the location is a great spot and it has my major (health science).
Baseball at Wagner College is a pretty big deal out there on Staten Island. Are you ready for the pressure of being a big-time D-I recruit? Yes, I love the pressure and I feel that the pressure only makes me better.
What’s been the most challenging part of high school for you? Making sure that I still have time to go out and relax while staying at the top of my grades and my game.
What’s your favorite memory of your time at Mahopac High School? It is my no-hitter against Somers because it had never been done before (at Mahopac).
Take me through your approach in that dominating five-inning mercy playoff win over Rye, in which you allowed just one hit and struck out all 15 other batters faced. Throw strikes, get ahead in counts, hit spots, and trust in the game plan.
It’s been nearly 30 years since Mahopac baseball last won the Section 1 title, so how agonizing has it been to lose in consecutive finals, especially the way it went down this spring in the championship loss to Rye? It hurt a lot, everyone was upset, and when we lost to Fox Lane (2025), we figured we would be back and go against Rye (in the 2026 finals). Not getting the job done felt like we didn’t get what we deserved, but now all we can do is look back on the great two seasons we had.
Did any particular teacher or administrator make an especially big difference in your life? I would say Coach Nappi for believing in me and that helped me get where I am today.
People are so divided these days, what trait do you possess that might unify us? I am passionate in every aspect of my life, so people might want to follow that and it makes people follow one common goal.
What do you see yourself accomplishing in five to 10 years? I see myself graduating college and med-school to become a physical therapist.
Name a chore that you hate: Mopping my room.
Favorite place to visit: Aruba
Hobbies, outside of baseball: Workout and hike
Is there an adult, coach or athlete that you look up to as a role model and why? I look up to my parents because they inspire me to be the best version of myself.
Best slice of pizza in Mahopac: Mike & Joe's
Favorite local restaurant: Bliss
What do you do on a free day? Go workout, get some food, and chill with my friends.
What are you an expert at? Learning more things.
What are you not nearly an expert at? Writing.
Favorite pregame ritual: Shaving my face the night before a start.
Favorite music/band: Rap music/Travis Scott.
Besides baseball, what’s your favorite sport to play? Favorite sport to watch? Both to play and watch is basketball.
Favorite professional athlete: Yankee P Cam Schlittler.
Favorite team: Yankees.
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