2026 Playoff Preview
2026 Flying Boxcars Playoff Preview – Interview with Mark Minicozzi below
The Hagerstown Flying Boxcars have clinched a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history, after becoming Atlantic League North Division First Half Champions.
North Division Championship Series Schedule
Catch all the action live on DugoutTV, with the voice of Jordan Nicewarner
Tuesday: at Long Island – 6:45 pm
Wednesday: at Long Island – 6:45 pm
Thursday: Travel Day (off)
Friday: vs Long Island – 6:30 pm at Meritus Park – Postgame fireworks and rally towel giveaway
Saturday: vs Long Island – 6:00 pm at Meritus Park (if needed)
Sunday: vs Long Island – 2:00 pm at Meritus Park (if needed)
Pitching Matchups
Tuesday: LHP Connor Curlis (2-1) 3.95 ERA vs RHP Leonardo Tavares (4-0) 3.54 ERA
Wednesday: RHP Eddy Demurias (7-2) 4.65 ERA vs LHP Nick Margevicius (6-2) 4.31 ERA
Friday: RHP Chase Chaney (3-3) 5.20 ERA vs RHP Anthony Escobar (2-0) 1.80 ERA
What to Watch for
Which version of Hagerstown shows up? The first-half champion Flying Boxcars face the second-half champion Ducks in a matchup between teams that peaked at different points. Long Island won the season series and showed an ability to create huge innings, making run prevention and bullpen execution critical for Hagerstown. Offensively, watch whether Jared Carr, Darick Hall, Danny Ortiz and Cristhian Rodriguez can replace the production lost without Isola. The goal in Games 1–2 is simple: steal at least one on Long Island and bring the series home to Meritus Park.
Entering the series, Hagerstown has won 6 of their last 10 games (vs Staten Island, at Lancaster, vs Lancaster). Hagerstown is 9-15 in the season long series vs. Long Island.
April 21–23: Hagerstown 2–1
May 5–10: Hagerstown 4–2
July 3–5: Long Island 2–1
July 22–26: Long Island 5–1
August 25–30: Long Island 5–1
Historic Turnaround
Under Mark Minicozzi’s first year in charge, the Flying Boxcars have completed the largest single season turnaround in Atlantic League history (+36 wins). Mark Minicozzi was named Mid-Season ALPB All-Star Co-Manager (Brett Jodie – SOMD).
Minicozzi also oversaw the contract purchases of six players, including three to MLB organizations (Cole Roland – Rangers, Connor O’Hara – Rangers, Jackson Hauge – Mets).
League Leaders
Jared Carr – Runs (130), Walks (97); Second in league in Stolen Bases (71)
Clay Helvey – Saves (16)
Boxcars Single Season Records Broken
Single season home run record – Robert Brooks (23)
Single season hits – Jared Carr (130), runs (130), walks (97), doubles (34)
Single season RBI – Darick Hall (98)
Single season saves – Clay Helvey (16)
Last Outing
Hagerstown closed out the regular season with a win against the Lancaster Stormers on Sunday afternoon. Darick Hall started on the mound, pitching 4.0 scoreless innings. Greg Duncan had a strong outing out of the bullpen, pitching 2.0 innings, with two strikeouts and no runs allowed. Clay Helvey and Brennen Oxford completed the shutout, with Helvey earning his league-leading 16th save. Danny Ortiz continued to display good form at the plate, going 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBI. Hagerstown held on to blank the Stormers, 3-0.
Connor Curlis – Last Time Out
Connor Curlis made his last appearance on September 8 at Lancaster. Curlis went 5.0 innings, struck out 5, and allowed 3 earned runs off 7 hits and 1 walk. Curlis’ most recent appearance against the Long Island Ducks came on August 29th, when he tossed 4.0 shutout innings. He allowed 4 hits, issued 1 walk, and struck out 4.
Boxcars Player Awards
Jared Carr was named Flying Boxcars MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, after an incredible season in center field. Carr notched a 100% fielding percentage in his campaign to potentially become a two time ALPB Defensive Player of the Year. He also tallied 19 home runs and 70 stolen bases.
Darick Hall was named Flying Boxcars Offensive Player of the Year, with a 98 RBI season. In addition, he tallied 123 hits and 39 extra base hits. His power at the plate has been at the forefront all season long. Hall has also made a quick transition to becoming a starting pitcher for the Boxcars as well, pitching 28.0 innings, with a 5.14 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
Clay Helvey was named Flying Boxcars Pitcher of the Year posting a league leading 16 saves. Through 56.2 innings out of the bullpen, he posted a 4.45 ERA with 78 strikeouts.