One team is looking to go back-to-back as sectional champions. The other squad is aiming to notch its third sectional title in the last five years. Rush-Henrietta and Fairport are ready to duel for the Class AAA Section V title on Saturday, May 30. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 RUSH-HENRIETTA ROYAL COMETS (13-8 / Monroe County)
vs.
No. 2 FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (9-9 / Monroe County)
Saturday, Gates Chili, 5:30 p.m.
How they arrived here: Rush-Henrietta (NYSSWA Class AAA No. 20) shut out Greece 12-0 in the semifinals to advance to the championship while Fairport paced to a 16-0 victory over East to earn its spot in the final.
Scoring offense: Rush-Henrietta (8.5 RPG), Fairport (9.4)
Scoring defense: Rush-Henrietta (5.6 RPG), Fairport (6.8)
Trends: With the most recent victory, Rush-Henrietta notches its fourth shutout of the season to snap a three-game losing streak. The Royal Comets have also scored 10 or more runs eight times this season with double-digit victories on six different occasions. Fairport enters the final on a two-game win streak both by 10-plus runs, outscoring its opponents 31-3. The Red Raiders have scored at least 10 runs nine times this season and defeated their opponents by more than 10 runs six times. In the two-game regular season series between the two squads, Fairport swept Rush-Henrietta with 15-2 and 13-7 victories.
Players to watch for Rush-Henrietta: Lizzie Rinella Sr. C (.629 AVG, 17 2B, 1 HR, 29 RBI, .694 OPB, .914 SLG%, 185 put outs, .990 Fielding%); Delaney Buttles So. SS (.603 AVG, 14 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 1.014 SLG, 9-9 SB, .946 Fielding); Kendall Buttles Fr. P (132 IP, 195 Ks, 2.43 ERA, 4 Shutouts, .294 AVG , 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 6 SB); Jade Galaska Sr. 1B (.372 AVG, 7 2B, 5 HR, 36 RBI); Kyla Piedici Fr. CF (.353 AVG, 3 2B, 2 3B, 17 RBI, 15 BB, .470 OBP)
Fairport: Alaina Nunez So. SS (.508 AVG, .803 SLG, 15 RBI, 28 Rs); Lizzie Roessel So. CF (.478 AVG, 11 2B, 20 RBI, 22 Rs); Quinnleigh Yeakel Jr. 1B (.475 AVG, .847 SLG, 2 HR, 26 RBI); Jillian Rucker Fr. 3B (.383 AVG, .943 OPS, 15 RBI); Julia Poligone Sr. C (.362 AVG, .534 SLG, 17 RBI); Olivia Arnitz Fr. 2B (.339 AVG, .865 OPS, 14 RBI); Allison Runke Sr. RF (.339 AVG, .808 OPS, 11 RBI)
Coaches: Kim Baker/Sydney Bolton (Rush-Henrietta),Victoria Catalano (Fairport)
History 101: Rush-Henrietta is back in the sectional final after defeating Greece 7-6 in 2025 and look to earn its third title since 2023. Fairport returns to the sectional championship after a one-year hiatus. The Red Raiders won the title in 2024, defeating Greece 16-2 and going all the way to the NYS Class AAA Championship, but falling to Corning Painted-Post (IV) 8-2. Fairport aims to pick up its third trophy in five seasons and seventh since 2009.
What’s at stake: A spot in the Class AAA Far West Regional against the champs of Section VI.
Leave a Reply