MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009
New York State Region II Semifinals
Class A - Mexico (III) 5, Massena (X) 3
Class B - Saratoga Christian (II) 9, Potsdam (X) 3
Class C - Ticonderoga (VII) 7, Norwood-Norfolk (X) 6
Class D - Clifton-Fine (X) draws first round bye.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2009
New York State Region II Finals
Class D - Clifton-Fine (X) at Schenectady Christian (II), 4:30pm at Bleaker Stadium in Albany
 

POTSDAM SEASON ENDS IN ERROR-FILLED STATE PLAYOFF LOSS 9-3

Potsdam shortstop John Coleman (7) attempts to lay the tag on a Saratoga base runner as he slides into second base, but the ball pops loose.  The Sandstoners were eliminated in the opening round of the New York State Class B Playoffs in a 9-3 loss to Saratoga Catholic.  (Niko Brown photo)  Game Gallery

Potsdam’s Todd Sharlow (28) takes a rip at an offering

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Saratoga Catholic’s stellar defense kept Potsdam at bay, while Potsdam’s defense stumbled in the crucial late innings to bow 9-3 in the opening round of the New York State Class B Baseball Playoffs. Saratoga Catholic chipped away with single runs in the first, second and third innings, while Potsdam pitcher Chris Reese kept the Sandstoners close early in the game. But then in the fifth tied 3-3, Saratoga’s Matt Angelini ignited a two-run, game-winning rally with a single to center. Jack Keller followed with single and Bill McDonough ripped an RBI hit to right to plate the go-ahead run and eventual game winner. A dropped outfield fly provided another two runs of insurance to open a 6-3 lead that proved too much to overcome late in a state playoff. Dale Long, Angelini and McDonough each rapped two hits for the Saints (24-4 overall). Reese aided his own cause with three hits to lead Potsdam (7-9 overall). John Coleman added two hits.
 

MASSENA BOWS TO MEXICO IN STATE OPENER ON WALKOFF HOMER 5-3

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
A one-out, three-run homerun blast from Kody O’Connor in the bottom of the seventh pulled Section III’s Mexico back from a one-run deficit to a 5-3 walkoff win over Section X’s Massena Red Raiders (10-8 overall) in the opening round of the New York State Class A playoffs at Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse. The Raiders took a 1-0 lead in the second, but relinquished single scores in the second and third to fall behind 2-1. Massena regained the lead 3-2 by plating two runs in the fourth frame and pitcher Alex Kormanyos held the Tigers (20-7 overall) until the dramatic turnaround in the seventh. Taylor Zappia led the Raiders with two hits.. O’Connor’s homer was his 34th varsity career round-tripper.
 

CLIFTON-FINE'S CHARMED SEASON ENDS IN STATE QUARTERFINALS 18-2

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Clifton-Fine’s charmed season came to an end with an 18-2 loss to Section II Champion Schenectady Christian in the New York State Class D quarterfinals. Section X’s Class D champs fell behind early when the Falcons plated five runs off in the first two innings off Eagles’ ace Casey Forkey. Schenectady Christian broke the game open with five more runs in the third, adding two runs off a mishandled ball at second base. Ian Compton belted a double over the head of centerfielder Robert White to blow the game open 9-0. The Falcons added five more runs in the fourth in cruising to the win. The Eagles, who finished finished their season at 14-4, were unable to get a hit until the sixth inning. Casey Forkey knocked in a run on a fielder's choice, followed by Drew Gearsbeck’s RBI single.
 

FLYERS FALL IN STATE OPENER IN BITTER 7-6 WALKOFF TO SENTINELS

Norwood-Norfolk catcher Mike Carbone tags out a Ticonderoga baserunner that was trying to score on a suicide squeeze. But the Sentinels bounced back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game 5-5 in the 5th.  After the Flyers took the lead in the sixth inning, Ticonderoga tied the game and won it with a walkoff RBI single in the 7th to win 7-6 in the opening round of the New York State Class C playoffs.  (Kyle Coryea photo)  Game Gallery

Norwood Norfolk's Andrew Stone (6) sends a shot to the outfield in the top of the 6th to help gave the Flyers a 6-5 lead.

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Norwood-Norfolk got into the state championship with some help from an error-filled Section X title game, and fell in the opening round of the New York State playoffs under the weight of four costly errors themselves. The Flyers jumped out to a hard-earned 5-0 lead. In the first, Adam Stone scored on a Pat Durant double. Norwood-Norfolk plated four more runs in the third on a bases-loaded walk, an error, a balk and a fielder’s choice extended the lead to 5-0. Ticonderoga’s Todd Carr banged an RBI single to put the Sentinels on the board, but a two-out dropped fly ball in the outfield allowed more two runs and gave Ticonderoga life to climb back into the contest at 5-3 through the third inning. A bases-loaded suicide squeeze bunt by Steve Lenhart trimmed the deficit to 5-4 in the fourth. Another Flyer error to start the fifth allowed Anthony Barneo to reach base and, one out later, tie the score 5-5 on another infield miscue. Norwood-Norfolk regained the lead 6-5 in the sixth when shortstop Adam Stone singled to plate Mike Carbone. However, the Flyers failed to inflict further damage by leaving the bases loaded. In the bottom of the seventh, Lenhart led off being hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on Carr’s RBI single to tie the game again at 6-6. Carr advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Barneo spanked an RBI single to plate Carr with the game winner and a ticket to the New York State quarterfinals on Tuesday against Maple Hill. Carr finished with two hits to lead the Sentinels (17-1 overall), while Durant lashed two doubles and Stone finished with two singles for the Flyers (15-6 overall).
 

High-kicking Malone pitcher Paul Rose deals to the plate with Massena pitcher Alex Kormanyos extending his getting his lead at second base.  After the game, Massena Coach Greg Paquin called Kormanyos “sneaky tough” after the game, noting his pitcher was “spot on” during the game, throwing about 75-percent strikes and fanning six batters with a powerful fastball and an effective change-up. Massena’s Nick Pichette reached base all three times with a single and two walks, while John-Paul Mailhot added a pair of singles and two RBIs. Massena improved its record to 10-7 overall and now advances to play Section III Champion Mexico in the opening round of the New York State Class A playoffs on Monday at Alliance Stadium in Syracuse. Malone finished its season at 11-5 overall.
 

MASSENA'S 2ND INNING SEVEN-RUN RALLY BEATING MALONE FOR TITLE

The Massena Red Raiders piled up seven runs in the second inning, triggered by a suicide squeeze, four hits and aided by four Malone errors, to open what proved to be an insurmount-able lead.  Meanwhile, Massena pitcher Alex Kormanyos twirled a three hitter and fanned 14 straight batters after relinquishing two runs in the second inning in a 13-2 romp over the Malone Huskies to claim the Section X Class A Championship at Clarkson on Tuesday.  The Raiders also had big innings in the third and seventh. Massena opened a 9-2 lead in the third without even a hit. The Huskies’ effort was seriously damaged by a total of eight errors. (Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

Massena: Class A Champions  Gallery, Team & Award Photos
 

N-N FLYERS' STONE FIVE-HITS B-M PANTHERS FOR CLASS C TITLE

Norwood-Norfolk's Adam Stone fired a five-hit gem in delivering the Flyers to a 9-0 win over Brushton-Moira in the Section X Class C Baseball Championship.  Seth Clark stroked three hits and two RBIs, while Mike Carbone added two hits and two RBIs.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery   Game Broadcast

Brushton-Moira’s Zach Lyon slides safely into third base while Norwood-Norfolk third baseman Nick Belile saves the ball from sailing into leftfield.  The Flyers scratched for single runs in the first and second inning, then drove in three runs on three hits in the third.  They blew the game open with four runs in the fourth, capitalizing on four Panther errors to seal the win.  Pat Durant also cracked two hits for the Flyers.  The Flyers travel to Plattsburgh to face the Section X champions in the first round of the state playoffs on Monday.  (Eric Foote photo)
 

TUPPER LAKE ELIMINATES MADRID-WADDINGTON IN CLASS C PLAY-IN

A Tupper Lake runner is safe at second base when the throw skips into centerfield.  The #5-seed Tupper Lake Lumberjacks broke away from a slim 4-3 lead in the final three innings to beat the #4-seeded Madrid-Waddington 8-4 in the Section X Class B play-in game.  Five Jacks, Jim Merrihew, Casey Picerno, Adam Patry, Andrew Clark and Joe Salamy each had two hits. Tupper Lake advances to play top-seeded Norwood-Norfolk in the semifinals.  (Photos Courtesy Steve Heaton)

Fifth-seeded Tupper Lake won for just the second time (2-11) this season, turning back the #4-seeded Yellow Jackets (6-7 overall). Lumberjack pitcher John North fanned 13 batters, but had trouble against M-W’s Jordan Kendall who went 4-for-4 and Kyle Lawrence who collected two hits.
 

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009
Class C - Semifinals - Home of Higher Seed
(#1) Norwood-Norfolk 16, (#5) Tupper Lake 1
(#2) Brushton-Moira 6, (#3) St. Lawrence Central 5

MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2009
Class C - Opening Round - Home of Higher Seed
(#5) Tupper Lake 8, (#4) Madrid-Waddington 4

N-N FLYERS EXPLODE PAST TUPPER, COLBERT FIRES NO-HITTER 15-1

Norwood-Norfolk's Adam Stone (11) just barely sneaks his hand under the tag at third base.  Stone went 5-for-5 with a homerun, double and three RBIs. After Tupper Lake tied the score 1-1 in the third inning, the top-seeded Flyers exploded for 15 hits, powering their way to a 15-1 win in the Section X Class C semifinals.  Kirk Colbert fired a no-hitter, allowing an unearned run in the 3rd. (Bob LaRue photo)  Game Gallery

Norwood-Norfolk's Nick Belile just beats the throw to second base on the steal.  The Flyers regained the lead 3-1 with two runs in the third, three in the fourth and plated seven runs in the fifth inning to blow the game open.   The Lumberjacks' lone run was scored by Casey Picerno on a bases-loaded fielder's choice to the right side of the infield. Norwood-Norfolk improved to 13-5 overall and will face Brushton-Moira in the final, while #5-seeded Tupper Lake finished its season at 2-12 overall. 
 

B-M PANTHERS EDGE ST. LAWRENCE WITH COMEBACK IN BOTTOM OF 7TH

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
The #2-seeded Brushton-Moira Panthers scored a comeback walkoff victory in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge third-seeded St. Lawrence Central 6-5 in the Section X Class C semifinals. The Larries jumped on Panther starter Josh Sevey for three runs in the top of the first and added another in the second inning to gain 4-0 lead. The Panthers clawed their way back with a pair of runs in the second and single scores in the third and fourth innings to draw even at 4-4. Brushton- Moira gained its first lead of contest with another run in the fifth, but the Larries tied the contest in the top of the seventh. Relief pitcher Justin Supernault cracked a triple and Jason Aubrey drove him home in the bottom of the seventh for the walkoff win. Aubrey was the Panthers offensive leader with two hits and two RBIs. Zach Baldwin stroked a two-RBI single to lead the Larries who finished the season at 6-9 overall. Brushton-Moira improves to 12-1 overall and advances to play Norwood-Norfolk for the Class C title.
 

MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2009
Class D - Semifinals - Home of Higher Seed
(#3) Clifton-Fine 16, (#2) Harrisville 6
(#5) Hermon-DeKalb 7, (#8) Morristown 1

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009
Class D - Quarterfinals - Home of Higher Seed
(#5) Hermon-DeKalb 3, (#4) Heuvelton 0
(#2) Harrisville 8, (#7) Parishville-Hopkinton 3

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009
Class D - Quarterfinals - Home of Higher Seed
(#8) Morristown 12, (#1) Chateaugay 7
(#3) Clifton-Fine 6, (#6) Edwards-Knox 4
 

BIG-RUN INNINGS PROPEL CLIFTON-FINE PAST HARRISVILLE IN SEMIFINAL

Clifton-Fine second baseman Kyle Blackmer (2) erases Pirates' baserunner Austin Davis (4) and attempts to turn the double play.  The #3-seeded Eagles plated six runs in the third inning to grab a 6-2 lead.  With a 9-6 lead through six frames, Clifton-Fine put the game out of reach by plating seven runs in the top of the 7th in a 16-6 win over #2 Harrisville (15-3 overall) in the Section X Class D semifinals, avenging a stinging 7-6 loss for the West Division season title.  (Niko Brown photo)  Game Gallery

Harrisville baserunner Wayne Best (10) scampers back to first as Clifton-Fine’s Gordon Whitney (4) tries to lay down the pickoff tag.  Whitney belted two homeruns including a go-ahead grand slam in the third inning and a solo slam in the sixth to power the Eagles (13-3 overall).  Robert White also smacked a two-run homer to open an 8-3 lead in the fifth.  Kyle Blackmer and Casey Forkey delivered two RBIs with hits in the explosive seventh inning.  Josh Hartle led Harrisville going 4-for-4 with two RBIs.  Jason Thomas had three hits and four stolen bases.  Coal Campbell had two hits and an RBI to close out the season. 
 

HARRISVILLE BOUNCES BACK IN 8-3 QUARTERFINAL WIN VS. PANTHERS

Harrisville base runner Jason Thomas touches home plate before Parishville-Hopkinton catcher Zach Newton, blocking the plate, can slap on the tag. Thomas scored three runs as the #2-seeded Pirates bounced back from a 2-1 deficit with a tying run in the third inning and a four-run uprising in the fourth frame, en route to an 8-3 victory over the #7-seeded P-H Panthers in the Section X Class D quarterfinals.  Coal Campbell also had two hits for the Pirates. (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

 Despite the best efforts of three Parishville-Hopkinton fielders Dennis Snyder (6), Justin Pearson (24) and Ryan Gallagher, the ball drops for a bloop single for Harrisville amidst a fourth inning Pirate rally.  Pirates' Tom Coloney and Jason Thomas combined on a six-hitter to beat the Panthers.  Coloney struck out nine and walked just one in his four innings of work.  Nick Kenny struck out seven for Parishville-Hopkinton (5-8 overall).  Harrisville advances to play #3-seeded Clifton-Fine in the semifinals.
 

MORRISTOWN RALLIES IN 4TH & 5TH INNINGS TO SHOCK #1 CHATEAUGAY

Chateaugay catcher Ryan Ashline gets the force out at the plate on a Morristown runner.  Brian Ashline contributed a single, double and triple in four trips to the plate for the Bulldogs who fell to 11-3 overall to finish the season. However, the #8-seeded Green Rockets broke a 1-1 tie with five runs in the fourth inning and five runs in the fifth to pull off a stunning 12-7 road win over the top-seeded Bulldogs to eliminate the East Division opponent in the Section X Class D baseball playoffs.  Winning pitcher Ryan Peretta also contributed two hits to the Morristown offense.  (Kyle Coryea photo)  Game Gallery

Morristown gathers to celebrate its upset victory following the final pitch.  The Rockets will advance to the Class D semifinals, traveling to either Heuvelton or Hermon-DeKalb.
 

FORKEY PITCHES CLIFTON-FINE PAST
E-K COUGARS IN QUARTERFINAL 6-4

By Bob LaRue, North Country SportsNet
Clifton-Fine pitcher Casey Forkey fanned seven and allowed just six hits as the #3-seeded Eagles defeated the sixth-rated Edwards-Knox Cougars 6-4 in the Section X Class D baseball quarterfinals. Forkey aided his own cause with a double, while Ken Dolan and Gordon Whitney slashed two hits each for the Eagles (12-3 overall). Sean Sullivan and Jon Davison also had two hits for the Cougars who finished their season at 6-9 overall. Clifton-Fine advances to the semifinals against the winner of the Parishville-Hopkinton vs. Harrisville quarterfinal.
 

EAGLES SOAR: CLIFTON-FINE BEATS HERMON-DEKALB FOR CLASS D TITLE

Clifton-Fine rallied for four runs in the first inning and tacked on a run in the fifth, while pitcher Robert White threw a no-hitter for the first five innings as the Eagles defeated Hermon-DeKalb 5-3 to win the Section X Class D Baseball Championship.  Casey Forkey lashed a two-run single to put the Eagles ahead 2-0.  (Mike Webb photos)  Game Gallery   NCSN Game Broadcast

IHermon-DeKalb shortstop Tyler Amo suffers an infield error that kicked off his leg as Robert White scampers to third base.  The Demons were snake-bit with five errors in the first inning.

After the disastrous first inning, the Demons settled down to play errorless ball, including a double play as Amo scoots across the second-base bag and fires over Clifton-Fine's Ken Dolan to get Robert White for the DP at first. 

By Bob LaRue, North Country Sportsnet
Hermon-DeKalb threatened with two runners and one out in the first inning, but White got a strike out and ground out to survive unscathed. The first seven Eagles batters all reached base in the bottom of the first, with Gordon Whitney dropping the first pitch for a bunt single and advancing to second on a throwing error. Ken Dolan walked and stole second, before Casey Forkey lashed a two-run single. The usually sure-handed Demons allowed two more runs with three more errors on seemingly routine defensive plays. H-D pitcher Kory Besaw settled in to shut off the Eagles for the rest of the inning and allowed just one run the rest of the way. But the damage had been done. White allowed no hits through five innings, before the Demons nicked him for a run in the sixth and two more on Logan Allen’s second single of the game in the seventh. The Demons actually got the potential tying run to the plate in the seventh, but third baseman Andrew Gearsbeck secured a pop-up just into foul territory to seal the championship. Wyatt Shaul led the Eagles with two doubles. Clifton-Fine, which improved to 14-3 overall, draws a first-round by in the New York State Class D playoffs. They will travel to play in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday against the winner of the Section II-VII matchup to be played on Monday.
 

AMO DOUBLE LIFTS H-D DEMONS PAST ROCKETS 7-1 IN "D" SEMIFINALS

Hermon-DeKalb’s Dylan Amo drives a bases-clearing double down the rightfield line for three RBI’s that broke open a 2-1 game and gave the Green Demons a 5-1 lead in the 4th inning.  Amo collected a single, double and three RBIs. The 5th-seeded Demons tacked on a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to capture a 7-1 win over #8-seeded Morristown in the Section X Class D semifinals.  For the second year in a row, H-D (10-6)entered the playoffs as the fifth seed and rose to the Class D title game. (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery  NCSN Broadcast

Hermon-DeKalb’s Kory Besaw (24) attempts to score after a leadoff triple, but is nabbed at the plate on a tag from Rockets' catcher Will Griffith.  Besaw had a double, triple and an RBI.  Cody Cleveland also had two singles and two RBIs.  Starting pitcher Logan Brabaw, with closing help from Besaw, combined on a three hitter.  Marshall Brown, Dave Trombley and Nick Nugent had the hits for Morristown (6-10 overall).
 

BESAW FIRES 4-HITTER IN LEADING
H-D DEMONS PAST HEUVELTON 3-0

Hermon-DeKalb’s Kory Besaw (24) reaches back and fires a pitch to the plate in Saturday's quarterfinal contest at Heuvelton.  Besaw struck out six and pitched a complete-game shutout, relinquishing just four hits in leading the #5-seed Green Demons to a 3-0 victory over the fourth-seeded Heuvelton Bulldogs in the Section X Class D quarterfinals.  Steve Brown and Tyler Amo both socked two hits for the Demons who move on to play Morristown in the semifinals.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

The Heuvelton second baseman Allen Ashley gets the force at second base and attempts to get the double play at first.  Blair Davis led the Bulldogs with two of six hits in the game.  Heuvelton finished the season at 10-5 overall.  For the second year in a row the Demons (9-6 overall) have upset Heuvelton in the playoffs, last year all the way to the Class D championship.
 

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009
Class B - Opening Round- Ogdensburg Free Academy
(#4) Gouverneur 4, (#5) Canton 0
 

BLUE DEVILS POUND OUT 11-2 WIN AGAINST GOUVERNEUR IN SEMIFINAL

Ogdensburg lefty pitcher Tylor Stevenson fires a fastball against Gouverneur. Stevenson set down 12 Wildcats on strikes, but Gouverneur spoiled his shutout bid with two runs in the final inning.  O.F.A. cruised to an 11-2 win over Gouverneur in the Section X Class B semifinals.  (Dave Shea photo)

A Gouverneur runner is being held closely at first base. O.F.A.'s Jared Morrow stroked two hits to drive home three runs to lead the Blue Devils. Duane Roberts led the Wildcats with two singles. Ogdensburg improved to 12-3 overall and will play Potsdam in the Class B title game, while Gouverneur closed its season at 5-11 overall.
 

ROBERTS PITCHES GOUVERNEUR PAST CANTON IN CLASS B PLAY-IN 4-0

Gouverneur pitcher Duane Roberts struck out eight Bears, delivered a complete-game shutout and went 2-for-3 at the plate in powering the #4-seeded Wildcats to a 4-0 win over #5 Canton in the Section X Class B play-in.  Alex Bush also belted a home run for the Wildcats who advance to play Ogdensburg in the semifinals.  (Niko Brown photo)  Game Gallery

Canton managed just four hits in the play-in contest.  Bears' pitcher James Chase fanned seven batters in the loss.  Canton finished the season at 4-13 overall.  Ben Rockwood also rapped two hits for the Wildcats who improved to 5-10 overall.
 

SANDSTONERS DO IT AGAIN: UPSET TOP-SEED O.F.A. FOR "B" TITLE 7-3

After both teams scored a run in the first inning, Potsdam pitcher Chris Reese held the top-seeded Ogdensburg Blue Devils scoreless over the next three frames.  The big inning was sixth, when the Sandstoners broke a 2-2 tie when John Coleman hit a two-RBI double amidst a four-run rally that proved to be the difference.  Reese also had two hits.  For the second straight year, #2-seeded Potsdam upset the Blue Devils 7-3 for the Section X Class B title.  (Niko Brown photo)  Game Gallery

Potsdam baserunner Paul Buchanan dives back into first base ahead of the pickoff throw.  Jared Morrow produced two hits for Ogdensburg (12-4 overall). Ryan Arno cranked three hits and Todd Sharlow delivered two hits for the Sandstoners who improved to 7-8 overall. Potsdam will host the opening round of the New York State Class B playoffs against the Section II champion on Monday at Clarkson University.
 

POTSDAM BLANKS SALMON RIVER
IN CLASS B SEMIFINAL 7-0

Salmon River first baseman Dane Alexander (5) pulls his foot fro the bag to reach the throw, but slaps the tag on Potsdam's Lee Buchanan (4) for the out.  After two scoreless innings, #2-seeded Potsdam broke through with two runs in the bottom of the third and a four-run fifth.  John Coleman pitched shutout ball over the #3-seeded Shamrocks (4-9 overall) in a 7-0 win in the
Section X Class B semifinals. (Eric Foote photo) Game Gallery

Potsdam pitcher John Coleman twirled a complete-game, four-hitter and struck out nine for the Sandstoners in shutting out Salmon River. Potsdam threatened to blow the game open in the first two innings, but stranded five runners on base. However, Potsdam made effective use of its seven hits to score seven runs. After an error scored the first run, David Smith then drilled a triple to give Potsdam a 2-0 lead in the third. An inning later, Potsdam put the game out of reach when Seth Hinman slammed a two-run double, Chris Reece stroked an RBI single and later came home on an infield grounder to extend the lead to 6-0. Reece, who had three hits including a double in the game, drove in the final run in the bottom of the fifth. Coleman also double and scored two runs. For Salmon River, Nick Fleury and John Bigness each rapped doubles. The Sandstoners (6-8) advance to face Ogdensburg in the Class B title game on Wednesday.