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Baseball Sectional Finals

Class A

No. 4 Somers vs. No. 2 Pelham

I originally thought Dan Zlotnick would be on the mound against Ardsley in the semi’s but I thought to myself - hmm, maybe Somers will use Jerry Battipaglia against Ardsley? And they did, and boy did it work out - Battipaglia had 14 K’s and went the distance and showed everyone why he’s going to Villanova.

The Tuskers, winners of 10 out of their last 11, have a great chance of repeating as section champs with Zlotnick on the mound against the Pelicans. It won’t be easy, especially on the road - but I think the Tuskers pull it out behind their ace. The offense continues their hot hitting and the Tuskers take it down.

Prediction: Somers 7, Pelham 4

Class B

No. 1 Kennedy vs. No. 7 Putnam Valley

This one is pretty interesting. Kennedy has burned out their top two starters in Ryan Tatnell and Nick Modico (two-hit Dobbs yesterday) - so chances are that Rich Lennox will take the hill, with possibly Tatnell available out of the ‘pen.

PV ace Pat Considine I’m guessing will be starting for the Tigers, with Chris Orlando available out of the bullpen after giving a gutsy effort to defeat Briarcliff in the quarters. PV is riding high and with no Anthony Corona in the Gaels line-up and the Gaels No. 3 on the mound, I think the Tigers can and will pull the huge upset.

Prediction: Putnam Valley 5, Kennedy 3

Softball Semifinals

Class AA

No. 5 Yorktown. vs. No. 9 White Plains

Looks like the Huskers get another home game after all with White Plains surprisingly upsetting Ketcham. Dana Bisaccia was perfect through 5 1/3 yesterday in the win over JJ-EF. She allowed only three hits and punched out five batters. 

This is a rematch of the Class AA title game a year ago - and I see a similar outcome unfolding.White Plains Lauren Sputo is one of the best pitchers in Section 1 with a 0.83 ERA and 163 Ks on the season - but the Huskers have the best hitter in Section 1 in Cassie Reilly-Boccia, and I think she’ll be the difference.

Prediction: Yorktown 3, White Plains 2

Class A

No. 4 Lakeland vs. No. 1 Pearl River

I’ve slept on Lakeland all season - this team is really legit, knocking off the defending champs in Hen Hud in dramatic walk-off fashion on an RBI single by Alex Oakes in the eighth inning.

Too bad they run into the No. 1 seed in Pearl River who stand at 21-2. The Hornets make a game of it, but I think Pearl River moves on.

Prediction: Pearl River 6, Lakeland 4

Class B

No. 3 Kennedy vs. No. 2 Dobbs Ferry

The Gaels rallied for four runs in the sixth to defeat Rye Neck the other day 4-3 with Veronica Amus knocking in the winning run. I’m on the fence on this game, but when in doubt go with the team with the better pitcher - and I think Devon DiSiena wills the Gaels into a sectional final game.

Prediction: Kennedy 5, Dobbs 3

Class AA

No. 5 Yorktown vs. No. 4 John Jay-East Fishkill

As long as Yorktown’s offense hits like they did in the sixth inning against Mahopac, I like their chances. I think Larissa Porcelli will give a gutsy effort on the mound and the Huskers will advance.

Prediction: Yorktown 4, JJ-EF 3

Class A

No. 5 Hen Hud vs. No. 4 Lakeland

Should be a pitchers duel between Hen Hud’s Nicole Tamburri and Lakeland’s Brittany Lischinsky. The Sailors swept the Hornets (10-0, 6-1) in the regular season, but that was a while ago - and the Hornets are definitely improved - but I still like the Sailors because of their experience.

Prediction: Hen Hud 4, Lakeland 2

Class B

No. 3 Kennedy vs. No. 6 Rye Neck

The Gaels beat Rye Neck 10-2 earlier in the season and I see much of the same happening in this game with Devon DiSiena striking out at least 7 or 8.

Prediction: Kennedy 7, Rye Neck 2

No. 2 John Jay 12, No. 7 Mahopac 11: Of course I missed probably the game of the year. Jay’s Ray Maggi stole home to the win the game and went 4-for-4 with 4 RBI, 4 runs scored, 2 homers, and a double - has to be hands down the the most clutch offensive performance of the season. Obviously this game was far from a pitchers duel. Nick Barbalato clocked a grand slam for Mahopac and had 5 RBIs.

No. 4 Ketcham 5, No. 5 Yorktown 0: Cinderella story comes to an end, but a heck of a season for the Huskers - who have plenty to be proud of.

No. 6 Eastchester 12, No. 3 Hen Hud 0: Didn’t expect this one to come down like this- Hen Hud got no-hit by Eastchester’s Dan Sorine. Tough way to end a season, but the Sailors have a bright future with players like T.J. Olesczuk, Mike Tandy, and Matt DeSilva coming back.

No. 9 Ardsley 2, No. 1 Lakeland 1: Shocker to see the No. 1 seeded Hornets fall to No. 9 Ardsley. I was really looking forward to a Lakeland-Somers semifinal, but the Hornets didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. Unfortunate end to Brendan Hourihan’s high school career after such a tremendous season at the plate and on the mound. Kioyta Gomi hit a solo homer in the top of the seventh to give Ardsley the lead.

No. 4 Somers 9, No. 12 Rye 3: The Tuskers continue to pound the baseball and now they get another home game in the semifinals with Ardsley winning.

No. 1 Kennedy 6, No. 9 Pleasantville 2: Kennedy moves on as expected, but will the Anthony Corona injury ruin their section title plans?

No. 7 Put Valley 9, No. 2 Briarcliff 5: I saw Jordan Sacks dominate PV a month ago, but his defense didn’t show up this time for him - committing eight errors, which obviously has to be demoralizing. Take nothing away from PV though, they hit the ball hard and Chris Orlando pitched very well. Finally got to see Pat Considine pitch and he closed the door in the seventh, striking out the side.

Semifinal Predictions:

Class AA

No. 2 John Jay vs. No. 3 Suffern: Did anyone see John Jay going to the semi’s without Stephen Green? With their ridiculous offense in that ballpark, you have to like their chances any time they play at home. I say they carry the momentum from the Mahopac win and move on the finals.

Prediction: John Jay 10, Suffern 7

Class A

No. 4 Somers vs. No. 9 Ardsley: Obviously Ardsley’s got tons of momentum coming in after knocking off the No. 1 seed, but their running into a team that has been scorching at the plate and with Dan Zlotnick most likely on the hill, I like Somers to advance.

Prediction: Somers 7, Ardsley 3

Class B

No. 1 Kennedy vs. No. 5 Dobbs Ferry: The Gaels are too good to lose this one - with or without Anthony Corona.

Prediction: Kennedy 8, Dobbs 2

No. 7 Put Valley vs. No. 3 Nanuet: Somehow Pat Considine will be pitching in this one after going eight innings Saturday and one today - I duno how he does it, but I think PV’s run ends here.

Prediction: Nanuet 5, PV 3

Back in a bit with some quick softball quarterfinal picks.

Mahopac got their revenge against Fox Lane with an 8-3 win behind a solid six inning performance from C.J. Riefenhauser and 3 RBI’s a piece from Matt Petrone who scorched an inside the park 3-run homer down the left field line and a bases clearing double from Anthony Castellitto in the 5th to make it 8-2.

Let’s get to the predictions for the quarters, but they’re going to be short.

Class AA

No. 3 John Jay vs. No. 7 Mahopac

These teams met in the Tantalos tourney with Mahopac scoring a huge 8-6 comeback win. Stephen Green is still on the shelf and Jay will probably be going with Chris Eidam against a Mahopac offense that is hitting the ball well lately - combine that with Jay’s small field and I like Mahopac to move on with Castellitto on the hill. Eidam will be pitching against a line-up that is filled with left-handers, however, which should work to his benefit - but I still think they get to him.

Prediction: Mahopac 7, John Jay 5

No. 5 Yorktown vs. No. 4 Ketcham

I picked against Yorktown the first time, and yes - I’m picking against them again. Let’s hope I’m wrong again and the cinderella story continues.

Prediction: Ketcham 5, Yorktown 2

Class A

No. 1 Lakeland vs. No. 9 Ardsley

It won’t be a walk in the park, but I see Lakeland moving on with probably Joey Arena or Bill Dring on the hill - as long as they don’t look ahead to Somers, which I don’t think will happen with a veteran squad and coaches in the Robinson’s.

Prediction: Lakeland 7, Ardsley 3

No. 4 Somers vs. No. 12 Rye

Dan Tracy should get the nod and lead the Tuskers into the semi’s for a date with Lakeland.

Prediction: Somers 5, Rye 2

No. 3 Hen Hud vs. No. 6 Eastchester

Surprised the Sailors threw their ace Mike Tandy against Byram. I think that comes back to bite them in this game.

Prediction: Eastchester 7, Hen Hud 5

Class B

No. 1 Kennedy vs. No. 9 Pleasantville

Word on the street is that Anthony Corona is injured and going to miss sectionals, any truth to that? Either way, Kennedy rolls.

Prediction: Kennedy 8, Pleasantville 1

No. 2 Briarcliff vs. No. 7 Put Valley

PV used up their ace Pat Considine in an eight inning battle over Hastings - hence, I don’t like their chances in this one with ace Jordan Sacks probably on the hill for the Bears.

Prediction: Briarcliff 6, PV 1

Yorktown’s Nick Rodriguez made a game-saving catch against North Rockland in the Class AA sectionals on Saturday.

The catch preserved a 1-0 Huskers win.

Check out this web gem below.

Great job yet again by the meteorologists calling that weather - they were dead on….I was set to cover Mahopac-Fox Lane, but it was somehow called even though it didn’t rain. I’ll be there tomorrow - but here’s some of the first round results.

Yorktown 1, North Rockland 0: The Huskers have proven me wrong yet again. Dan Mason pitched a gem like I predicted, and Pete Racioppo homered - but the biggest play I hear was a Nick Rodriguez game ending catch to rob a homer in the last inning. Yorktown proved the doubters (myself included) wrong, and knocked off the defending champs. Kudos to them.

John Jay 6, Clarkstown North 5: No Stephen Green for the Indians, but Anthony Iacomini had a big day with two dingers to lead the way. I’m hearing Green may not be able to pitch in sectionals, which greatly hurts the Indians chances.

PV 2, Hastings 1: Congrats to the Tigers on knocking off the 2 time defending Class B champs in eight innings.

Somers 11, Brewster 1: 4 RBIs and 3 RBIs from Kyle Woltersdorf and Dan Zlotnick respectively with a homer each. I heard Zlotnick started and tossed four innings, but didn’t throw many pitches - which leads me to believe he’ll start against Lakeland if the Tuskers reach the semi’s.
Hen Hud 13, Byram Hills 5: Mike Tandy went six, striking out six and the Sailors got 4 RBIs and a homer from Nick Ritornato.
Ardsley 4, Panas 3

I hate to toot my own horn but I was pretty spot on with my predictions - going 5 for 6 and getting the scores pretty close. Let’s look at the results:

Yorktown 9, Mahopac 1: I attended this game and went with a 7-1 Yorktown win - not too shabby. It wasn’t looking good at 2-1 Yorktown throughout most of the game, but the Huskers bats came alive in the sixth with seven runs capped by a Cassie Reilly-Boccia grand salami.

Dana Bisaccia pitched a gem and the Yorktown defense was amazing, highlighted by Danielle Montesano’s diving catch on a bunt in the sixth, and then she got up and doubled a runner off first. Mahopac played great defense too and actually hit the ball well, but couldn’t capitalize on multiple chances with runners in scoring position.

John Jay East Fishkill on the road will be very difficult, but I think the Huskers can get the job done.

Ursuline 2, John Jay 1: Pretty surprising to see John Jay, the No. 3 seed go down, but it just shows how competitive Class AA is. Plus Ursuline beat Jay by the same score earlier in the season. Tough way for Jay’s Gaby Torzilli to close out her career, striking out 11 while only allowing two hits.

Lakeland 6, Lourdes 0: I went with 7-2, not too far off. Brittany Lischinsky struck out eight batters. I can’t believe I’ve never seen Lakeland play yet, the first time may be in the sectional final. But for that to happen they need to get by the defending champs:

Hen Hud 6, Nyack 0: Went with a 9-0 score here - should be one heck of a pitching match-up with Lischinsky against Nicole Tamburri.

Hastings 6, PV 5: I had 4-3 Hastings, not bad.

Dover 9, Briarcliff 2: 7-3 Dover, close.

It looks like a possible wash out tomorrow with the games being moved to Sunday, which doesn’t bode well for teams’ with thin pitching rotations that will have to win 4 games in 5 days. Lets get down to the predictions anyway.

Class AA

No. 7 Mahopac (15-8) vs. No. 10 Fox Lane (13-9)

Fitting that these teams meet up in the opening round - they have plenty of history together. Fox Lane knocked the Indians out of the playoffs last season in the quarters and beat them this season and last season in the championship game of the Tantalos tourney.

No offense to Anthony Pagiluca - who made his only start of the year against Fox Lane in the Tantalos tourney (7-4 Foxes), but he’s not C.J. Riefenhauser. Obviously Mahopac wants their revenge and I think they will get just enough offense off Mike Giordano/Donny Pitasi and C.J. shuts down a potent Fox Lane offense.

Prediction: Mahopac 4, Fox Lane 2

No. 5 Yorktown (17-6) vs. No. 12 North Rockland (13-10)

I’ve been asked a few times this season, how could a team with such a great record be low in your rankings? Well - I’ll explain it this way, a Class A team in Somers has played more games against AA teams than Yorktown has. They just don’t play against a high enough level of competition during the season to prepare them for what they will face in sectionals.

I don’t want to come across as a hater, but I don’t see the Huskers moving on against the defending AA champs. Dan Mason pitches a gem, but it won’t be enough.

Prediction: North Rockland 2, Yorktown 1

No. 2 John Jay (18-4) vs. No. 15 Clarkstown North (12-11)

There are plenty of factors that could decide the outcome of this game - but any way I look at it - I like John Jay.

1) The first question that obviously comes to mind - Is Stephen Green healthy to pitch? If he is, you could argue to save him for John Jay/Fox Lane, but you don’t want to end your season saying why didn’t we throw our No. 1 guy? So I say he goes tomorrow.

Prediction if Green Pitches: Jay 8, Clarkstown North 1

2) The second scenario is Green isn’t able to pitch, which will make for a much closer game but I believe Anthony Iacomini and company will provide plenty of offense for either Chris Eidam or John Swertfager at Jay’s homer-happy field.

Prediction without Green: Jay 9, Clarkstown North 6

3) The third and pretty comical thing about this game is that Clarkstown North has their prom tonight and unless they plan on skipping out on it, which I doubt - it’s going to be a long night for them. So unless the games moved to Sunday, I really don’t like their chances. Also, whoever runs things at North might want to look into moving prom up a week or two from now on. Just a thought.

Any way you look at it - John Jay should move on. Mahopac in the quarters? That’d be pretty sweet.

Class A

No. 4 Somers vs. No. 13 Brewster (10-13)

The Tuskers are hot heading into the post season, and surprisingly it’s been their offense that has won games and not so much their pitching. Kyle Woltersdorf and company have been mashing the ball.

I’m thinking Dan Zlotnick gets the nod for Somers and comes out early if they get a big lead. These teams have met before, with Somers winning 19-12. I don’t think it gets that crazy this time but I see the outcome as the same. Somers moves on and probably throw Dan Tracy against TZ Monday in the quarters.

Brewster’s Ryan Carter keeps it a little closer than some might think.

Prediction: Somers 6, Brewster 3

No. 3 Hen Hud (16-8) vs. No. 14 Byram Hills (10-13)

Why does Byram Hills play against Class B teams and expect to be successful in the Class A playoffs? I just don’t understand it - and their record wasn’t even over .500. Coach Natale’s undpredictable bunch moves on pretty handily. I’m not even sure they’ll throw Mike Tandy, I say save him. Dan Martin should get the job done on the hill if he gets the ball.

Prediction: Hen Hud 8, Byram 4

No. 8 Panas (8-9, record seems off, thanks maxpreps) vs. No. 9 Ardsley (12-9)

Five of the Panthers losses have come by one run, I say they reverse their bad luck in this game. Have to love a possible Lakeland/Panas match-up in the quarters and I think the Panthers will make it a reality.

Prediction: Panas 5, Ardsley 4

Class B

No. 7 Putnam Valley (10-8) vs. No. 10 Hastings

Tigers ace Pat Considine chucks an impressive outing and PV knocks out the two time defending Class B champs. This sets up an intriguing match-up of Briarcliff and PV in the quarters.

Prediction: PV 4, Hastings 1

Phew, that was a little more than I expected to write. I’ll be back later with thoughts on softball’s opening round.

It’s that time again, sectional time. Let’s get right to it: my long awaited predictions for the softball and baseball sectionals. Plenty of interesting match-ups to get to so lets get started.

Class AA

No. 5 Yorktown (17-6) vs. No. 12 Mahopac (13-10)

In a North County battle, Yorktown is coming in with a chip on their shoulders after losing to Brewster in their final regular season game. Translation: I don’t like the Indians (three straight losses heading in) chances.

Cassie Reilly-Boccia and Kasey O’Connor have big afternoons and Larissa Porcelli/Dana Bisaccia shut down an above average Indians line-up.

Prediction: Yorktown 7, Mahopac 1

No. 3 John Jay (18-5) vs. No. 14 Ursuline (12-10)

Ursuline actually beat John Jay, 2-1, earlier in the season - but John Jay has been on a roll since, winning 13 of their last 15. I don’t see fireballer Gaby Torzilli and the Indians letting it happen again.

Prediction: John Jay 3, Ursuline 1

Class A

No. 5 Hen Hud (18-5) vs. No. 12 Nyack (10-10)

Should be smooth sailing for the Sailors - yes I thought of that all by myself. Nicole Tamburri tosses a gem and the defending Class A champs move on easily.

Prediction: Hen Hud 9, Nyack 0

No. 4 Lakeland (14-4) vs. No. 13 Our Lady of Lourdes

After dropping their first three games, Lakeland was won 14 out of their last 15 and are on more of a roll than basically anyone heading into sectionals. They even swept Yorktown in their season series. Lakeland defeated Lourdes 17-4 and 1-0 this season, yeah -pretty drastically different scores.

So naturally, I’m going with something in the middle.

Prediction: Lakeland 7, Lourdes 2

Class B

No. 9 Putnam Valley (10-11) vs. No. 8 Hastings (13-9)

I haven’t seen Put Valley, so I can’t really make much of an educated guess on an outcome - but you can’t really go wrong with picking a close game in an 8 vs. 9 match-up.

Prediction: Hastings 4, PV 3

No. 10 Briarcliff vs. No. 7 Dover

No three-peat for Briarcliff girls sports (girls basketball and soccer state titles) this year.

Prediction: Dover 7, Briarcliff 3

Alrighty then - everyone take in those oracle-like predictions and I’ll be back with thoughts on baseball’s opening round, which takes place Saturday, later on.

Cortland State’s Joey Morgan, a junior midfielder on the Red Dragons lax squad, made a decision coming into the 2008 season: He was going to be more than a role player.

After a 2007 campaign in which he scored 19 goals and dished out five assists, Morgan was ready to push it to the limit in ’08.

But just how far?

Well, he tore his meniscus in his knee about “mid-season” and continued to play through the pain.

“It is playable pain,” said Morgan, who is a 2005 Putnam Valley graduate.

In three playoff wins against Springfield, Middlebury and Ithaca, Morgan tallied seven goals, including four against Ithaca.

But he saved his breakout performance for the biggest stage possible.

Matched up against Salisbury University in the Division III NCAA finals at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, Morgan was a man on fire, scoring four goals and dishing out one assist. Salisbury’s defense was couldn’t contain his powerful dodging and pinpoint shooting from up top.

According to Morgan, the first goal that he scored was like “getting the monkey” off his back, because he was shutout in last year’s final against Salisbury. He said the adrenaline rush of 30,000 fans cheering his name was enough momentum to spark his dominant performance.

Despite his spirited play, the Red Dragons (18-2) were slain by the Seagulls, 19-13.

Morgan, who finished the year with a career-high 29 goals and 12 assists, attributed the breakout to a new-realization, which came as a result of the knee injury.

“You have to put everything you have into everything you do, not just sports,” he said. “I have been playing every game like it’s my last.”

The do or die philosophy has trickled down to Morgan’s younger brother Peter, who is a 2007 Putnam Valley graduate and rookie attackman on the Red Dragons.

“His play went from down here (motions toward the ground) and skyrocketed,” Joey said. “He comes out and works really hard in practice. He has stepped his level up.”

Peter backed his brother’s claims with tangible results, scoring four goals and dishing out three assists this season in limited minutes.

Joey said the experience of playing with his brother has been an “awesome” one, which brings back memories of the brothers’ days on the soccer pitch when they were only three years old.

“I thought it was really cool that he could be a part of this year,” Joey said.

The Putnam Valley pipeline has produced more than just the Morgans. Steve and Mike Ammann, star senior midfielders at Albany University, are 2005 graduates of Put Valley. Freshman Tom Kelly, a 2007 Putnam Valley graduate, is a freshman midfielder for Oneonta State.

Joey said the high-quality players coming out of Putnam Valley directly relates to the squad’s coaching staff, which includes Brian Kuczma and Bob Baker.

“We are a five or six-year old program and we are building up players and making an impact,” Joey said.

Joey, meanwhile, said he will be back and healed up for his senior season, which he is already focused on. The surgery will set him back two to three weeks, but don’t look for it to be an excuse in his goal to come back even better next season.

“I’ll be getting physical therapy and jumping in the weight room as soon as I get home,” he said. “I mean it is only my knee.”