By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — On Thursday evening, the bats of Palmyra-Macedon needed a time through the order to find a rhythm.
Saturday afternoon with a trip to the state semifinals on the line, the Red Raiders offense wasted no time.
Pal-Mac put three runs on the scoreboard in the first and added three more in the third on the way to an 11-1 victory over Medina (VI) in the NYS Class B Far West Regional.
“We came out looking for fastballs,” said senior Alex Wootton who scored three runs and drove in another. “We knew they had three guys who could throw the ball really well. We didn’t know who we were going to see, but we knew no matter who it was they were going to bring it. Just wanted to jump on it right away.”
Wootton singled and later scored on Christian Morrison’s two-out, two-run double down the left field line in the first.
He was also on base in the third when Ian Goodness connected a two-triple to left center.
”We were just trying to get on time with fastballs,” Wootton added. “Hit it hard and something good is going to happen.”
Ian Goodness plates two with a triple to left center. Goodness has nine RBI in the past three games. Christian Morrison follows with a run-scoring single. Heading to the fourth NYS Class B Regional: @PalMacBaseball 6 Medina 0 pic.twitter.com/sqSjgVR8dj
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) June 4, 2022
Chris Finocchario, Jr. struck out six and walked one for the win in the run-rule shortened affair.
The senior right-hander allowed one run on three hits. He worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the third before retiring the last five batters he faced.
“I know I have a great group of guys behind me,” Finocchario said. “I know they’re going to make a play behind me. Even if they make one mistake, I know they’re going to get it again. Whether it is in the field or at-bat. That’s what they did.
“I really don’t get fazed in these situations because I’ve been here before all throughout my baseball career. One run is not going to hurt. You just got to focus on the next pitch.”
Three up, three down for Chris Finocchario in the top of the second. NYS Class B Far West Regional: @PalMacBaseball 3 @MedinaSports 0 pic.twitter.com/0GTflC2FE4
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) June 4, 2022
Finocchario finished 3-for-4 at the play with the three RBI. His two-out single brought in two runs including the game winner.
“I was looking for the fastball and I got it,” he said. “Drove it to centerfield. It’s turf, so I know it’s going to bounce. I wasn’t sure if there was going to be a play on it or not. Got the two RBI. I didn’t know there was a mercy rule. The whole team did it. Everybody. It just feels great.
Goodness finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. The junior first baseman and pitcher collected nine RBI in three wins this week.
Morrison went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored. Paul Goodness was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Noah Brooks crossed home twice.
Pal-Mac managed just one hit the first time through the lineup against Haverling in the regional qualifier. The Red Raiders went on to beat the Rams 7-1 to clinch the first state quarterfinal appearance in program history.
Aidan Paul tripled and scored the lone Medina run in the fourth.
Pal-Mac will play either Spackenkill or Center Moriches next Friday in the state semifinals.
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