One squad is back in the in the sectional final for the first time since 2014. The other program is looking for its first title in 33 years. Penfield and Hilton are set to go head-to-head for the Class AA1 Section V championship. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 PENFIELD PATRIOTS (19-2 / Monroe County)
vs.
No. 3 HILTON CADETS (13-8 / Monroe County)
Saturday, Gates Chili, 10 a.m.
How they arrived: After earning a first round bye, top-seeded Penfield (NYSSWA Class AA No. 3) kicked off its postseason with a 12-0 shutout over No. 9 Edison Tech in the quarterfinals. The Patriots then walked it off in the semifinals against No. 5 Webster Thomas 8-7 to grab a spot in the championship. Hilton started its playoff run with a 10-9 victory over Spencerport in the quarterfinals after receiving a first round bye. The Cadets then edged out No. 7 Victor 9-8 in the semis to earn a spot in the Class AA1 final.
Scoring offense: Penfield (10.4 RPG), Hilton (7.3)
Scoring defense: Penfield (2.4 RPG), Hilton (7.3)
Trends: Penfield rolls into the championship on a 14-game win streak, outscoring its opponents 160-20 in that stretch. During the win streak, the Patriots have won nine games by 10 or more runs (11 on the season) and pitched eight shutouts. Penfield has scored 10-plus runs 13 times this season and have held opponents to three runs or less on 15 different occasions. Hilton enters the final with victories in seven of its last eight outings, outscoring its opponents 52-36 in that stretch. The Cadets have scored at least 10 runs four times this season while going undefeated (5-0) in games decided by one run. In the regular season series between the two squads, Penfield swept both matchups 2-0 and 14-5.
Players to watch for Penfield: Zara Vattimo-Fetouh Sr. P/IF (62 IP, 75 Ks, 1.69 ERA, .209 BAA, 1.210 WHIP, .444 AVG, .539 OBP, 1.079 OPS, .540 SLG, 28 Hs, 22 1B, 6 2B, 19 RBI, 20 Rs); Mackenzie Noble Fr. P/IF (56.1 IP, 41 Ks, 1.24 ERA, .215 BAA, 1.189 WHIP); Alexi Cimino Sr. OF (.500 AVG, .535 OBP, 1.270 OPS, .734 SLG, 32 Hs, 22 1B, 6 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 25 Rs, 6 SB); Ella Maley Sr. OF (.488 AVG, .517 OBP, 1.236 OPS, .720 SLG, 40 Hs, 26 1B, 10 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 37 Rs, 8 SB); Vivian Russo Jr. IF (.448 AVG, .565 OBP, 1.177 OPS, .612 SLG, 30 Hs, 21 1B, 7 2B, 2 3B, 21 RBI, 33 Rs, 2 SB); Mackenzie Whitehead Jr. IF (.446 AVG, .512 OBP, 1.097 OPS, .585 SLG, 29 Hs, 21 1B, 7 2B, 1 3B, 25 RBI, 22 Rs, 1 SB); Stephanie Coughlin So. IF (.397 AVG, .443 OBP, .994 OPS, .551 SLG, 31 Hs, 22 1B, 6 2B, 3 3B, 19 RBI, 28 Rs, 10 SB)
Hilton: Maddie Murphy Jr. IF (.615 AVG, 48 H, 24 RBI, 38 R); Juliana Saporito Sr. OF (.500 AVG, .550 OBP, 33 H, 24 RBI, 30 Rs); Paige Batz So. OF (.400 AVG, 25 Hs, 18 R, 5 RBI); Jordan Brozak Jr. IF/C (.385 AVG, 25 RBI, 14 R); Grace Speer So. C/IF (.335 AVG, 24 H, 30 RBI); Hannah Dear Sr. 1B/OF (.300 AVG, 10 RBI); Bianca Fiorino Sr. P (6 Wins); Caroline Schmitte 8th. P/IF (7 Wins)
Coaches: Frank Clark (Penfield), Amy Centola (Hilton)
History 101: Penfield is back in the championship for the first time in 12 years and is aiming for its first title since 2005. Hilton is in search for its first sectional championship since 1993.
What’s at stake: A spot in the class AA regional qualifier against the winners of Class AA2, Eastridge or Pittsford Sutherland.
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