One squad is back in the state quarterfinals for the seventh time since 1999, and the other, for the first time since 1999. McQuaid and Niagara Falls (VI) will meet to send one team to the NYS Class AAA semifinals. Here’s the breakdown:
McQUAID JESUIT KNIGHTS
(16-7/Independent)
vs.
NIAGARA FALLS WOLVERINES
(15-5/Niagara Frontier League)
Friday, Innovative Field, 7:00 p.m
How they got here: McQuaid took down Fairport in a three-game series to win the Section V Class AAA title. Niagara Falls defeated Jamestown in the semifinals and then Lancaster in a three-game series to win the Section VI Class AAA title.
Tempo and trends: McQuaid averages seven runs per game on offense and allows five runs a game on defense. The Knights have won seven of their past eight games. Niagara Falls averages 10.2 runs per game on offense and gives up 2.2 runs per game on defense. Niagara Falls has won 12 of its past 14 games.
Players to watch for McQuaid: Thomas Bailey Jr. .329 AVG., .425 OBP, .987 OPS, 21 RBI, 17 runs; Dom Corona So. .384 AVG., .434 OBP, 15 RBI, 16 runs; Zach Craib Jr..304 AVG., .476 OBP, 13 RBI; Cole Englert Sr. 6-3, 1 SV, 54.1 IP, 66 K, 26 BB, 1.086 WHIP, .173 BAA; Jason Larsen Jr. .340 AVG, .470 OBP, .930 OPS, 12 RBI, 13 runs; Jim Randisi Sr. 2-0, 2 SVs, 19 IP, 25 K, 14 BB; Paul Rizzo Sr. .276 AVG, .408 OBP, 15 RBI, 13 runs.
Players to watch for Niagara Falls: Nicholas Ligammari Sr. .526 BA, .578 OBP; Anthony Littere Jr. 500 BA, .600 OBP/1.31 ERA; Andre Borges Sr. .407 BA, .595 OBP/2.15 ERA; Matthew Brydges Jr. .405 BA, .469 OBP; Trevor Meidenbauer Sr. .397 BA, .456 OBP/1.52 ERA
Coaches: Tony Fuller (McQuaid), Robert Augustino (Niagara Falls)
History 101: This is the seventh time the Jesuit Knights have made the regional round, and are trying to get back to the state semifinal round for the first time since 2022, when they won the Class AA state title. McQuaid is 5-2 all-time in state quarterfinal matchups. This is the first time Niagara Falls has made the Far West Regional since 1999.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class AAA semifinal against the winner of Saratoga Springs (II) and Cicero-North Syracuse (III).
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