College Coaches

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Thank you for helping me greatly through the recruiting process you have helped me greatly in achieving my dream of playing college baseball and becoming the best baseball player i can by putting us up against the best competition in the country.

Logan WalshEastport South-Manor H.S. 2026 - Felician University 2030

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I would truly not be the player and person I am today without playing for the East coast lumberjacks. Coach Ryan and Dan Pembroke really take player development seriously. The winter workouts are incredible and really put you in great shape for the season. Additionally the schedule during the summer is amazing. You face the best competition and are able to be in front of tons of college coaches. Playing against the best competition really helps you improve as a player, and there’s nothing like competing at the highest level. Also the help with the recruiting process makes it smooth. Thank you to Ryan and Dan for their support and guidance in my baseball journey.

Chris SteeneckConnetquot H.S. 2026 - UMASS-Dartmouth 2030

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Being a part of the East Coast Lumberjacks has truly been a life-changing experience. This program has not only made me a better baseball player, but also a better person. The coaches push us to reach our full potential, both on and off the field, teaching discipline, accountability, and teamwork every step of the way. Competing with such talented teammates challenged me to raise my game, while the supportive environment helped me grow in confidence and character.

The Lumberjacks taught me what it means to work hard, respect the game, and trust the process. I’m grateful for the friendships, lessons, and memories I’ve gained, and I know the values I learned here will stay with me long after my playing days are over.

Anthony AzzaritiWest Islip H.S. 2026 - St. Joseph's College 2030

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This summer my son Anthony was playing for another travel organization and he wasn’t playing up to his full potential, actually he was regressing and we knew we had to make a change. Through one of my sons old teammates we heard about the East Coast Lumberjacks. We went to a practice and I was immediately impressed with coach Pembroke and the organization.

They focus on getting the most out of a player and getting them ready to play at the next level. After one Season of summer and fall baseball my son committed to play for St Joseph University next fall. I wish my son would have played for the East Coast Lumberjacks sooner.

Sal Azzariti

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Just a few years ago. A former player of the Lumberjacks Pryce Jones, recommended me to Ryan and Dan. Through videos and a personal tryout, they gave some little Delaware boy a chance. With that came a ton of commitment, advanced training, and priceless advice that allowed me to improve as a player on the field and as a young man off the field. They believed in me and my abilities to go and play at the next level.

Local tournaments in Delaware don’t get you the exposure that a player needs to make it to the next level. But playing with Ryan and Dan meant nothing but exposure. They decided to play in tournaments where they knew colleges would be watching. Atlanta, Alabama, Fort Myers, and Chicago were just a few places. The exposure I had received under their organization was nothing I had ever seen before in my life. Colleges at almost every game. With that being said, they had pushed me to be the best player I can be.

Thanks to their guidance and support. I am able to continue on with my dream at the next level. I am grateful to have met Ryan and Dan and to play under their wing.

Matthew BrittinghamP27 Academy 2026 - Washington College 2030

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The first time I saw the East Coast Lumberjacks play, 2023 first round pick Josh Knoth was on the mound at packed East Cobb field in Georgia. While I was not yet a part of the Lumberjack organization, I immediately recognized the excellence and commitment it took to be apart of it. One thing I understood more after I joined the Lumberjacks the fall of my sophomore year was you had to train/compete against the best in order to be the best. No other team on Long Island trains or plays the schedule the Lumberjacks do. Being able to see first hand the most talented players in the country forced me and my teammates to remain unbelievably humble and work as hard as possible in order to compete. Coach Ryan, Coach Dan, and Coach O’Reilly ran our roster more like a college roster than any other program I encountered. I feel the experiences and expectations I had as a Lumberjack will better prepare me as I start my college career. Coach Ryan was persistent in the message that someone is always working harder than you and you could always work harder. This is something I think I have internalized and helped drive me in my training. The East Coast Lumberjacks will expect the most out of you and push you to be best you can be; both on and off the field.

David YoungwoodCollegiate High School 2025 - Washington & Lee University 2029

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Lumberjacks and Coach Pem especially, have been the best experience of my summer ball journey. I’ve played for a number of travel ball teams and none of them really welcomed me like the Jacks family and Coach Pem. If you perform in a lumberjacks jersey, Pem will do everything in his power to reach out to schools and be the biggest advocate for you to get those schools interested. Nothing but love and good words for the Lumberjacks program always.❤️

Sawyer ConradtP27 Academy H.S. 2026 - Old Dominion University 2030

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Ryan & Dan have been a breath of fresh air when it comes to travel baseball. Their knowledge of the game and contacts around the country far supersede what a typical organization provides. Their willingness to go above and beyond is not what a typical organization offers. TRUE visibility, training, and opportunity to play in real tournaments is the Lumberjacks way. If you are willing to commit as a parent and your son is willing to dedicate his life to this game of baseball there isn’t a better opportunity than the Lumberjacks. Thanks to people close to our family we were provided this opportunity and Ryan and Dan took a chance on a boy from Delaware, supported him, pushed him, and believed that he could achieve his goals of continuing to play at the next level. Thank you to the Lumberjack family for all you have done. Our family believes in the Lumberjacks organization, in Ryan and Dan and in their ability to help others achieve the same goals. We are forever grateful to you both.

Matt & Lori Brittingham

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Ever since I joined the East Coast Lumberjacks organization in 7th grade, I have loved every minute of it. Starting with Coach Kyle Crean for 2 years of learning the hard way how this game will chew you up and spit you out. But always under his amazing guidance, we kept showing up and getting better every single day. Next, for one year with Coach Steve Malvagna, who was a great leader and mentor, we finally started hitting our stride, and believing we could be a legit team in the next couple years we had left. Then as a sophomore, I am playing for Coach Ryan Pembroke. We are a very solid baseball team and under his guidance we are all way more than teammates on the field, as I would call these guys my best friends and brothers. And you experience firsthand the time and effort Coach Ryan Pembroke spends on the phone trying to get every kid into the best school available, but also to their liking. This is what ultimately led St. Johns to watch me last year, and my commitment this year to that same program. I am extremely excited for my last year in the organization, with Coach Dan Pembroke, and I know we will be super competitive and the brotherhood we have built will help that. And beyond high school, the East Coast Lumberjacks organization builds their players into respectable, professional and talented individuals who will flourish in society. I am proud to call myself a Lumberjack.

Matthew ZambriskiRiverhead H.S 2027 - St. John's University 2031

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My son Brett is 17 years old and has played baseball for his town team and three travel team organizations in the last 10 years. The East Coast lumberjacks organization which is run by Ryan Pembroke is by far the organization that you would want your child to play for. I seen the difference immediately on how Pembroke takes an interest and is involved individually with each player and does not abandon them when you make the decision to become part of his team. What he tells you he’s going to do for your child he follows through on it, the practices sessions and game schedules are intense. It’s not just words that are told to you so you can become their customer ,it is a true plan he has for your child and his teams . The other organizations we played for in the past are all bells , whistles and promises just to get you on board with them ,then you just get lost in the shuffle. The East Coast Lumberjacks and Ryan Pembroke are the real deal and take it to another level. He has many contacts in the college scouting system and at getting your child seen by college scouts. If your child wants to play baseball in college and has what it takes to get there,Ryan will do the leg work for you to make your child very visible. My son Brett has a commitment to a college going into his senior year of high school so the pressure is off and he can just concentrate on schoolwork and playing out his final year in high school with peace of mind that his future is set. My thanks go out to Ryan Pembroke ,his brother Coach Dan and the honest sincere way of guiding my son, their players and his organization.

Dave LaGallo

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My name is Brett LaGallo I am 17 years old and I’ve played baseball my first five years for my towns team and the last five years for three different travel team organizations. I joined the East Coast lumberjacks run by coach Ryan Pembroke one year ago and when I did I finally experienced the difference in playing for a great travel team organization and Coaches. Coach Ryan and his brother Coach Dan are not just coaches in name only they are teachers of the game and have helped make me a better player. They are mentors and also friends. The practice sessions are nothing like what I had experienced in other organizations, they are much more intense , longer , diverse and are what brings out the best player i can be. Coach Ryan is there by your side from beginning to end, not just to pitch a sale to get you to play for his organization. Coach Ryan has many contacts in the college scouting system and helps you become visible
in the process of being seen by colleges, he doesn’t disappear after you become part of his team, he makes himself part of your team. I have a baseball commitment to a college today thanks in large part to the practice schedules, game schedules in different parts of the country where scouts attend and the dedication and confidence coach Ryan Pembroke had in me. The East Coast Lumberjacks, Coach Ryan and his brother Coach Dan are the people and Organization you would want to play for if you are serious about continuing your baseball career.

Brett LaGallo

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The Lumberjacks are an amazing program that goes well beyond in developing young athletes. Every practice and game shows its focus on discipline, skill development, and teamwork. In along with helping me become a better baseball player, this organization has taught me important life lessons like leadership, determination, and sportsmanship. I'm really pleased with my experience!

Matt DestefanisTNXL Academy 2025 - LaSalle University 2029

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I began my baseball career with a local team and played with them since I was 8 years old. I loved the team and my teammates but once I started high school I realized that I needed more from my travel team specifically to be exposed to greater competition. I explored a few teams and finally found the Lumberjacks. This change was a hard adjustment at first but once I settled in I realized this was the best decision for me. The Lumberjacks was what I was looking for, the level of competition, travel and training is what I needed to get to the next level. All of these elements helped me improve to the player I am today and to be able to compete at the college level.

Ralph PassantinoMount Sinai HS 2025 - SUNY Maritime 2029

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In our first conversation Pem noted that some kids just need a change of scenery, nothing could be more true than for our son. Pem got it. Baseball demands to be played the right way, Pem and his staff expect that, and call it out when not done that way. I observed zero negative feedback, but challenges for the athletes. The positivity and motivation was infectious, and for the kids who are hungry, the ECL staff see it and foster that hunger. The beauty of the game is how hard it is, having poor coaching and negativity in a constant manner helps no one-ECL brings a challenge and motivation. Passion is difficult to teach, but can swell when the environment is right, this is that environment.

Aaron Gillis

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Coach Ryan Pembroke has been the biggest help in my recruiting journey. I joined the team living 5 hours away and they made it easy for me to show up and play. Playing the tough summer circuit that the Lumberjacks embark on helped me face better players and learn to compete in front of college coaches and even pro scouts. The Lumberjacks are the best program if you plan to play college baseball, Coach Pembroke vouches for you and helps you get in front of the schools that you want to go to which ultimately led me to commit to Bryant University.

Nolan GillisKimball Union Academy 2026 - Bryant University 2030

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When we evaluated our travel ball choices we wanted to find a program that played an aggressive schedule against the best competition in the country. We also looked for a demanding coaching staff that had every university on speed dial. We found that combination with the east coast lumberjacks. I am glad to have been part of the lumberjacks family.

Brian CashmanFather of Teddy Cashman – New York Yankees GM

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The East Coast Lumberjacks gives a baseball player the best travel baseball experience they can have. The program has outstanding coaches that drive players to work hard and thrive. They cultivate a winning culture. Furthermore, they play an extremely competitive schedule against the best talent in the country. The Lumberjacks put a player in the position to get better and give you a great opportunity to play at college or beyond. I loved playing for the Lumberjacks and wouldn’t trade it for any other team.

Teddy CashmanAvon Farms 2023 – Lafayette College 2027

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We are part of the Lumberjack’s family. I say that because from the moment we began with our first son playing for the Lumberjacks, we not only became part of an amazing baseball program, but we became part of a family. The coaches for the Lumberjacks taught discipline, skills and taught my boys what it took to make it to the next level. Our local baseball program in upstate NY is not very strong. No one comes to scout you; no one is really there to take you to the next level. Not one, but BOTH of our sons were given opportunities they would have never had locally. The coaches worked so hard to give our sons the opportunities to be infront of the best coaches, scouts and teams that really made each and every player stronger. What I loved most was the honesty of all the coaches. If you needed to work on something, they told you. If you needed to change something, they told you. The point of being on the Lumberjacks was to get stronger as a player, a teammate and get to the next level. My boys did just that. When my oldest committed, he went to school, covid hit, and he learned it was not a good fit for him. Coach Pembroke was with him all along the way guiding him and helping in every way possible. My son is now at Purdue. My youngest son had a fall and ended up needing labral surgery on his pitching arm. Following that surgery, things were rough for him. Covid hit, offers disappeared, and he was not able to play for the Jacks. The following year, he went back to the team. Pem helped him all along the way. With his help, he had visits, phone calls and ultimately ended up at Central Connecticut State University as a pitcher. I say we are a family because when my kids’ needed advice or needed help in any way, they always insisted on calling Coach Pem. They could both rely on him, and he was there for them to talk to on and off the field. He was never just a coach on the field, he was also their coach off the field… any hour of the day when they needed him. The families and the team all grew close and formed an amazing bond with one another. Playing with this team was the best decision we made. Thank you to all the coaches for your time and dedication!!!

The Cook FamilyAvery – Purdue University, Ryan – Central Connecticut University. Bob Cook – Director Of Baseball/Softball Accelerate Sports -Associate Scout Cincinatti Reds

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Our son was set on playing with the Lumberjacks and was eager to join the team as soon as possible. As parents, we had our reservations. After several conversations with Coaches Ryan Pembroke and Tyler Pepper, we decided to have him join the team. Our son joined the Lumberjacks the summer before his first year of high school.
Immediately we liked how much practice the boys received and the coaches on staff. The Lumberjacks is an organization filled with guys who know and love baseball. They practice hard and get in thousands of reps. Feedback is immediate, they hold players accountable, and call it like it is. Winter workouts were by far the most comprehensive we have seen.
The Lumberjacks don’t just emphasize being the best baseball player you can be but becoming a complete package. They stress the importance of academics, baseball, character, teamwork, and grit. Our son is surrounded by great coaches, teammates, and the Lumberjack family. The competition they play is consistently top-notch and contributes to developing great baseball players.
Coach Pembroke, Pepper, Reichenbach, and the rest of the staff walked us through the recruiting process and took many phone calls and text messages after-hours answering our questions along the way. Our son will have the opportunity to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and play baseball. More importantly, the Lumberjacks have opened up a world of post-baseball opportunities. We are grateful and so happy we decided to join the team. We look forward to continuing to watch our son develop as a player and young man as a part of the Lumberjacks. Thank you Lumberjacks!

Ben and Farrah FranquizParents of Bennie Franquiz

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From day one our family has bought into the Lumberjacks life and we can't say enough about the organization. You guys have made such an impact on Michael’s life. He's loved being a part of the organization, it's been more than a team for him, it’s been a brotherhood and a family. So much more than baseball! He’s learned that you can lose to anyone, but you can beat anybody too! He's extremely excited to take his experience, playing against the best competition, with him for the next four years as a student athlete at SUNY Poly.

Stacy Catalano

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I can’t thank Ryan and Dan Pembroke enough for what they have done for me. I was a part of the original 2025 Lumberjacks team in 13u. Although I did make the decision to leave the organization after one year, I ended up choosing to come back for my last two summers of travel baseball after I saw what a great job the Pembrokes were doing with building a winning program and getting their players to the next level. I couldn’t be any more grateful I made this decision, as between the countless hours of winter training and practice and the top tier schedule we’ve played, as well as all the guidance they’ve given me throughout the recruiting process, they have helped me to achieve the next step in my dream of playing Division One baseball.

Evan SchicklerSmithtown East HS 2025 - LaSalle University 2029

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Our son has always been a competitor and has looked for a challenge. Playing for the Lumberjacks gave him all that and more. From intense winter training and practices to playing some of the most competitive baseball throughout the summer and fall, Evan became that much more motivated to work even harder. The Pembrokes and the Lumberjack coaches pushed our son to not only develop his skills as a ball player, but to prepare him physically and mentally as well. To this day, he continues to live with what the organization preaches, "Get one percent better every day". Now our son has the opportunity to play at the next level in college. Thank you to the Lumberjack organization and to all the families and friends we met along the way that supported one another so our kids can succeed.

Michael and Cally Schickler

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I had a great 4 seasons playing for the Lumberjacks. I learned so much about being a teammate. I made a lot of memories traveling all over the country. Playing such high level baseball in the summer prepared me for a very competitive school season. I'm excited to take that experience and preparation with me as I play college baseball at SUNY Poly.

Michael CatalanoRome Free Academy HS 2025 - SUNY Polytechnic Institute 2029

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The East Coast Lumberjacks baseball organization is an outstanding program that goes above and beyond in developing young athletes. Their focus on skill development, discipline, and teamwork is evident in every practice and game. The coaches are passionate, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to helping each player reach their full potential. What sets the Lumberjacks apart is their strong sense of community and support both on and off the field. Being a part of this organization has not only improved my baseball skills but also instilled in me valuable life lessons in leadership, perseverance, and sportsmanship. I couldn’t be happier with my experience!

Nicholas MirabileTNXL Academy 2025 - LaSalle University 2029

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If you want to play the highest level National tournaments vs top ranked teams, the Lumberjacks are for you.
If you want to be pushed hard, many times beyond your comfort zone, the Lumberjacks are for you.
If you want coaches who are also your biggest advocates in your college search, the Lumberjacks are for you.
If you want all of the above, the Lumberjacks are for you.
Ryan and Dan are two great, hardcore old school, baseball guys. They teach the boys the right way to play the game. They expect your best effort, and they demand it.
If you are lucky enough to play for this organization, and you put the effort in, you will absolutely be setup to play college ball.
Trust the process!!!

Joe Cheringal