By PATRICK WALSH
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — Ryan Fitzpatrick roped an RBI two-bagger in the top of the first, opening the floodgates for an eight-run inning as Notre Dame-Batavia took an early 8-0 lead and never looked back, clinching a spot in the Class C Far West Regional and defeating Sodus 17-4.
Jaden Sherwood followed Fitzpatrick with a two-run single. Chase Antinore, Jordan Welker and Bryceton Berry all had RBI base knocks in the frame.
“We had a great first inning,” said head coach Rick Rapone. “It really set the tone for the way the game was going to go and they had to run uphill.”
The Fighting Irish utilized an aggressive style of baserunning, stealing six bases and forcing multiple pickoff attempts that in some cases, ended up moving runners into scoring position. Coach Rapone noted that this is a different style of ball than previous Notre Dame Batavia teams.
“We went from last year having a tremendous offensive team and I told the guys this year that the games were going to be different, we would have to play a different style and fortunately we have the players to play that style.”
Senior ace Bryceton Berry was unavailable to pitch due to the pitch limit from Saturday. The Fighting Irish turned to right-handed hurler Jaden Sherwood. Sherwood went five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits and fanning nine. After a two-run double in the first from Jacob Laird, Sherwood retired 10 in a row, including five punch outs.
“Jaden (Sherwood) is a solid number two,” said Rapone. “He’s as good as it comes and the staff we have is unbelievable.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick relieved Sherwood in the sixth and retired six of seven batters faced, including four strikeouts.
With the win, Notre Dame-Batavia clinched its first regional appearance since 2014, a season that ended in the NYS Class D state semifinals. Rapone noted that the Fighting Irish have bigger aspirations.
“Somebody has to win Class C for New York State, why not us? We play hard, we play great defense, we pitch and we run the bases. In my mind, we stand as good of a chance as anybody.”
The Fighting Irish racked up 13 hits in the game. Sherwood finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored to lead the hit column. Chase Antinore went 2-for-2 with three RBI. Jordan Welker was 2-for-3 and scored twice. Bryceton Berry went 2-for-4 and drove in one. Jay Antinore had a single and scored four runs. Jim Fanara smacked in two runs. Chase Cummings went 1-for-2 with three runs scored. Hayden Groff and Ryan Fitzpatrick tallied the other hits for Notre Dame Batavia.
For Sodus, Jacob Laird roped a two-RBI double in the bottom of the first. Garrett Barron went 1-for-2 and drove in a run in the fourth. Braedon Tuper had a single.
Notre Dame-Batavia advances to face Section VI champion, Gowanda, Saturday at Frontier High School. An 11 AM first pitch is scheduled.
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