by TYLER HATHAWAY
ROCHESTER, NY — McQuaid reached the NYS Class AAA quarterfinals, but lost 5-0 to Niagara Falls (VI) on Friday night to draw its season to a close. The Knights entered sectionals winning 11 of their past 12 games before taking down Fairport in a best-of-three series to earn their 10th sectional title in program history.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” said McQuaid head coach Tony Fuller after the game. “We battled. Started off 3-5 then went on a roll. That’s just a testament to our guys coming back and they just kept working. Just trying to give us some opportunity to win a [sectional] championship. Which we did.”
Fuller credited his six seniors for their work throughout the season.
“Our seniors left their mark,” Fuller said. “They did everything they were capable of doing.”
One of those seniors, pitcher Cole Englert, hurled five innings as the starter for the Knights. He struck out 10 batters while scattering two hits.
“We wouldn’t be here without him”, Fuller said of Englert. “He’s a warrior. We’re gonna miss him next year. There’s no words to describe his effort, or his tenacity this year. I’m really proud of him”
After the first five innings of the game were scoreless, Niagara Falls got on the board after Anthony Savino placed an RBI double into the right field grass. The Wolverines went on to score two more runs in the sixth before adding two more in the seventh.
Jason Larsen and Daniel Luce each singled for McQuaid. Luce, Thomas Bailey, and Ryan Dejoy each got on base once via a walk. Jimmy Randisi pitched a third of an inning of relief, and Brayden Craig pitched the final five outs. Craig struck out a pair of batters.
Trevor Meidenbauer went the distance for Niagara Falls and struck out eight batters. Meidenbauer also picked up an RBI. Savino, in addition to his RBI double, singled and walked. Antonio Kreps singled and scored twice. Aiden Hamilton singled, scored, and walked. Kyle Dean crossed home plate once. Nicholas Ligammari, Dominic Puleo, and Matthew Brydges each drew a walk for the Wolverines. Niagara Falls (16-5) advances to play the winner of Saratoga Springs (II) and Cicero-North Syracuse (III) in the state semifinals.
“I’m just proud of them,” Fuller said about his team. “I’ll coach them any day of the week. I’ll go battle with them every day of the week.”
McQuaid finishes the season with a record of 16-8.
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