Northstar Christian and Avoca-Prattsburgh to battle for a spot in the NYS Far West Regional

Section V Baseball’s Class D1 and D2 champions will meet for the first time this season on Tuesday with a regional spot on the line. Here’s the breakdown:

CLASS D
NORTHSTAR CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS (16-3/PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL)
vs.
AVOCA-PRATTSBURGH TITANS (20-3/STEUBEN COUNTY)
5:00 PM Hornell High School

How they arrived here: Northstar Christian defeated No. 9 Hammondsport with a 31-1 rout in the quarterfinals, before defeating No. 5 Elba, 5-2 in the semifinals. The Knights claimed the Class D2 title with a 21-3 route over Charles G. Finney on Saturday. Avoca-Prattsburgh earned victories over No.10 Lyndonville (12-1) and No. 3 Naples (5-4), before winning the Class D1 title with a 9-5 win over No. 1 Fillmore on Saturday.

Tempo and trends: Northstar Christian scores 12.6 runs per game and allows 2.2 per game. The Knights are on a 11-game win streak with seven shutouts for the season. The team holds a +115-run differential during the current stretch, and a +215 differential for the season. Its last loss came on May 2^nd, when they fell 8-7 to Greece Odyssey/Olympia. Avoca-Prattsburgh scores 10.1 runs per game and allows 1.8. The Titans hold a nine-game win streak, with five shutouts recorded for the season. The team has a +77-run differential during their stretch, and a +191 differential for the season. Their last loss came on May 5^th versus Fillmore.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO. 

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM ASHLEY VANHUSEN. 

What’s at stake: The winner will play North Collins in the 2023 NYSPHSAA Class D Far West Regional on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Dwyer Stadium.

History 101: This is a rematch of the 2021 Class D2 finals when Northstar Christian/Hope Hall defeated Avoca-Prattsburgh, 4-0 on June 15^th of that year. Northstar is looking to make its first regional appearance since 2004, when the Knights won the NYSPHSAA Class D Championship. Avoca-Prattsburgh has never appeared in regionals as a combined program. Avoca last appeared in regionals in 2018 and 2006. The team hoisted the 2006 NYSPHSAA Class D title for the only time in program history.

Players to watch for Northstar Christian: Matt Allen So. P/SS (.443 AVG, 2 2B, 25 RBI, 23 R); Dominic Kurmis Sr. P/C (6-1, .027 ERA, 48 SO, .456 AVG, 8 2B, 6 3B, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 36 R, 15 SB); Tim Leary Jr. P (3-0, 1.71 ERA, 33 SO); AJ Mitchell Sr. 1B (.460 AVG, 7 2B, 1 3B, 26 RBI, 31 R); Andrew Mitchell So. (.387 AVG, 16 RBI, 30 R); Micah Schwaderer Sr. P/OF (3-0, 1.03 ERA, 35 SO); Parker Seeley Jr. 2B (.455 AVG, 2 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 35 R); Da’Vonn Stevens So. CF (.364 AVG, 3 2B, 33 R, 20 SB).

Avoca-Prattsburgh: Haden Abbott Sr. P/SS (8-1, 1.79 ERA, .485 BA, 2 2B, 37 SB) – Class D1 Player of the Year; Jamel CrowderSr. P/SS (4-1, 1.62 ERA, .459 BA, 26 RBI, 15 SB) – Class D1 All Star; Sawyer Devoe Sr. CF (.327 BA, 14 RBI, 10 SB); Macoy Putnam Jr. C (.386 BA, 20 RBI, 27 SB) – Class D1 All Star; Dan Stilson So. 1B (.370 BA, 18 RBI).

Coaches: Dave Valle (Northstar Christian); Dennie Miles (Avoca-Prattsburgh)