Copyright Staten Island Advance
The 2025 Staten Island FerryHawks season came to an end a month ago, but great memories of exciting baseball action and heart-felt moments remain. The last Sunday game of 2025, Sept. 7, celebrated “We Love Staten Island Day” at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) Community Park, home of the FerryHawks. Civic and cultural organizations like the Art Lab Inc., AARP of Staten Island, and H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youth got community members of all ages involved in art projects and games. That weekend also saw the team raise $10,000 for pediatric cancer care, notably on Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night (Sept. 6). If a movie were to be made about the FerryHawks, the Sept. 7 game would have provided the Hollywood ending. FerryHawks starter Christian Allegretti and three relievers had held the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in check until the top of the 8th inning when they scored a run. Trailing 1-0, the FerryHawks had one last chance to win. With Kolby Johnson and Eddy Diaz on base, and two outs, FerryHawks outfielder Tyler Dearden hit a single to centerfield to score two runs and win the game 2-1 in a walk-off, sending everyone home happy. This was one of several walk-off wins last season for the FerryHawks. After the game, children and their families ran the bases. The FerryHawks hosted the annual BBQ for season ticketholders in a show of camaraderie with its fans and in appreciation for their support. Three players had the opportunity to play for their hometown team in 2025. Pitchers Matt Bedford (#43) and Matt Zguro (#8), both alums of St. Peter’s High School, made their professional debuts with the FerryHawks. Catcher David Melfi, a graduate of Wagner College, was back for a second season with the team. Melfi (#9) was gratified to be part of the FerryHawks. “As a native Staten Islander and former Wagner Seahawk, it was special to be able to compete at the professional level representing the place that has given me so many memories,” Melfi said. In addition, Mike Mauro, head coach of the College of Staten Island baseball team, returned for a fourth season in the FerryHawks dugout as an assistant coach. The FerryHawks got off to a fast start in late April, winning eight of the team’s first 10 games, including the home opener 4-2 against the Hagerstown Flying Box Cars as ace Morgan McSweeney pitched five scoreless innings. After a six-game road trip, the FerryHawks returned to SIUH Community Park to face the Gastonia Ghost Peppers, in a three-game series. In one of these games -- First Responders Day (May 18) -- FerryHawks fan favorite and former MLB World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval, delivered a thrilling walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning. Sandoval is affectionately known as “Panda Bear.” That day, the team not only honored the community’s police, fire, corrections, and EMT workers, but also featured a moving tribute to former MLB player, Port Authority police officer, and Staten Island native Anthony Varvaro who tragically lost his life in a head-on collision by a wrong-way driver on Sept. 11, 2022, while traveling to Manhattan to take part in the 9/11 Memorial ceremony. Varvaro’s #24 was retired by the team. Many events hosted by the FerryHawks blended community engagement and baseball action. Among them were celebrations of Staten Island’s ethnic diversity with Irish, Jewish and Italian Heritage nights, with menus to match. LGBTQ + pride was on full display at the ballpark on May 16. On Military Appreciation Day in June, the team said “thanks” to our veterans and active-duty service members with a FerryHawks camouflage baseball hat giveaway sponsored by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Foundation. On Father’s Day, the team honored Staten Island baseball legend and former New York Giants second basemen Bobby Thomson with a limited edition bobblehead giveaway sponsored by Thomson Law, LLC. Thomson, who graduated from Curtis High School, was famous for “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” homerun off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca, sending the Giants to the 1951 World Series against the New York Yankees. Thomson’s family, who still live on Staten Island, attended the game, making it a truly special day. In September, the team invited fans to bring their dogs to the game on Waggin’ Wednesday. The FerryHawks celebrated Jackie Robinson Day on June 20 with a “Salute to the Negro Leagues” presented by Stratford Funeral Home in partnership with the National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Jackie Robinson Museum. The team took the field against the York Revolution from York, Pennsylvania, wearing a special edition jersey that paid tribute to the Black Yankees, the iconic Negro League team that played in New York. During the game, the FerryHawks honored members of the team who hailed from Staten Island including Julie Bowers, Sonny Logan, and Glenn Richardson Mosley. The Fourth of July saw one of the largest crowds of the season as 3,200 fans, many wearing patriotic colors, filled SIUH Community Park to cheer on the FerryHawks against the York Revolution. The FerryHawks offered special red, white, and blue baseballs for purchase, designed and painted by Staten Island artist Scott LoBaido. The proceeds went to help fund the T2T Foundation. During the seventh inning, the Macy’s Fireworks spectacular near the Brooklyn Bridge could be seen beyond the rightfield wall. Although the FerryHawks lost 13-9, after the game fans enjoyed the largest fireworks display of the season lighting up the nighttime sky with the Freedom Tower as the backdrop. After every Saturday night home game FerryHawks fans were treated to colorful fireworks. An advocate for environmental conservation, former Deputy Borough President Ed Burke was feted with a special bobblehead giveaway on Aug. 22, Parks and Recreation Night, presented by Cause and the Effects. Burke was celebrated for his many years of public service and his dedication to the “Borough of Parks.” The bobblehead depicted him in hiking gear next to the island’s favorite weather prognosticator Staten Island Chuck. An alum of Wagner College, Burke was led out onto the field surrounded byfriends and colleagues. At each home game, the FerryHawks in partnership with Flagstar Bank honor local individuals for their service, dedication, and volunteerism. They are the team’s “Harbor Heroes” and are recognized for making a difference in the community. “Harbor Heroes” are volunteers, first responders, teachers, coaches, veterans, mentors, and community leaders. The public can nominate someone for the honor and, if selected, the honoree and their guests receive four tickets to the game. Among the “Harbor Heroes” for the 2025 season were Chris Bauer (Sept. 17), Jeff Benjamin (July 8), Gina Biancardi (Aug. 9), Bill Goffin (July 5), John Iasparro (May 3), Myron (Mike) Lasser (June 11), Yesenia Mata (June 20), Judge Mendy Mirocznik (June 11), Richard Pacettie (July 26), Nicholas Papas (July 4), former Councilwoman Debi Rose (June 20), Judge Remy Smith (June 11), Karen Soren (June 11), Terrance and Wendell Stratford (June 20), Cesar Vargas (June 20), Pastor Dave Watson (June 21), and Kecia Weaver (Aug. 6). Accepting the Flagstar “Harbor Hero” award on Sept. 16, Heather Butts, co-founder of the non-profit H.E.A.L.T.H. for youth, shared her thoughts: “Going to the FerryHawks games has been delightful. We often take youth we work with to the games. It’s an experience many of them enjoy immensely and allows us to engage with the students we work with in a fun and positive way.” Butts has been able to work with the FerryHawks and the Staten Island Hunger Task Force on the Hunger Free Games. “This has brought resources and awareness to food pantries across the Island. A big thank you to the FerryHawks for all you do in the community,” Butts added. One spectator that night, visiting from San Francisco, Peter Papas, observed: “What a great game and an enthusiastic crowd. I can’t image any ballpark with a more spectacular view.” Some college students have been invited to take behind-the-scenes tours of SIUH Community Park. Seonghun Lee, Professor of Sport Administration at Wagner College’s Nicolais School of Business, is grateful for that opportunity. Lee remarks: “The FerryHawks have offered great hospitality to the Wagner College business students. We have been welcomed by a remarkable staff and able to see how the FerryHawks operated, a true hands-on, practice-oriented experience.” Player development is an important aspect of the FerryHawks and of the league in which play, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), an official partner league of MLB. The FerryHawks organization is proud of its record of mentoring players by promoting teamwork, character, sportsmanship, and leadership, and helping them to achieve their goal of reaching affiliated baseball. The 2025 season saw several FerryHawks pitchers including ace Morgan McSweeney (Miami Marlins), Matt Dunaway (San Francisco Giants), Brennen Oxford (Minnesota Twins), Jack Mahoney (Athletics), and closer Tanner Andrews (Minnesota Twins) have their contracts purchased by MLB organizations. Infielder Damon Dues signed an affiliated contract with Unión Laguna of the Mexican Baseball League. The FerryHawks open the 2026 season at home against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Instead of traveling to Citifield or Yankee Stadium, there’s nothing like seeing good friends, having fun with the family, and enjoying professional baseball close to home. Come out to SIUH Community Park and meet Frankie, the FerryHawks’ mascot, celebrate a birthday or special occasion, recognize an exceptional community member or organization, maybe win a free cookie from Crumbl, enjoy watching fan-based contests and performances by the Hype Squad between innings, and cheer on your hometown team: The Staten Island FerryHawks!
