By PAUL GOTHAM
BRIGHTON, N.Y. — Henry Shutts hurled five-plus, and a three-run fifth supplied all the offense needed as No. 2 Cottreall-Warner Post 942 (15-4) took Game 1 of the 2026 American Legion New York State District 7 championship series with a 5-2 victory over top-seeded Greece Post 468 (15-4) Monday evening at McQuaid Jesuit High School.
Shutts struck out four and did not allow a runner past first base until the fifth inning.
“His fastball was working up in the zone and then second time through (the order) he went to more off-speed pitches and kept them off balance,” said Cottreall-Warner head coach Gary McNeil. “He stayed off their barrels.”
Shutts, who helped lead Gananda to the Section V Class C1 title in the spring, allowed two runs on four hits and a walk for his third win of the summer.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
Henry Shutts leaves a leadoff single at first. We’ve played 3: @fptcanaldogs 1 @GreecePostBSBAL 0 pic.twitter.com/fSOlrfZjt0
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) July 20, 2026
Sam Nick, Sam Roselli and Garrett McNeil drove in a run apiece in the fifth inning off Greece Post starter, Cam Barbulean.
Leading 1-0, Tyler Estelle started the frame with a single through the left side and scored from first on a double to right center off the bat of Nick. Roselli followed with his second RBI two-bagger of the game. McNeil capped the scoring with a run-scoring single to right.
Sam Roselli starts the scoring with a one-out ground-rule double in the third. Tyler Estelle crosses home on the play. @fptcanaldogs 1-0. pic.twitter.com/qj1CQgOMkU
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) July 20, 2026
“Cam is a really good starter, and he just mowed us down for the first time through the order,” said the Cottreall-Warner skipper. “We made some adjustments, and the kids really responded after that.
“They were able to find some barrels on a couple balls, so give the kids credit. They thought through the process, the situation, and found some success after that.”
Estelle, Nick, Roselli and Brady Sayers finished with two hits apiece.
Estelle walked and scored twice. Roselli drove in a pair of runs and crossed home once. Nick and Sayers both scored a run.
Connor Smith and Nick Rene each hurled a scoreless inning in relief.
“Everybody kind of had a role today,” McNeil said. “You know, both teams are taxed with all the games we played over the last week. So everybody knew their role, and they executed.”
Quinn Hanrahan got Greece Post on the board with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth. Ryan DeJoy scored on the play.
Aidan Kress led the sixth with a pinch-hit double and scored on a Jake Weber base hit.
Greece Post’s Wes Sturrup went 1-for-3.
The best-of-three series continues Tuesday with Game 2 at Greece Athena High School. A 3:30 PM first pitch is scheduled. Game 3 (if necessary) will follow as part of a doubleheader.
Both Cottreall-Warner and Greece have clinched spots in the American Legion New York State championship tournament that begins this Saturday at Penfield High School.
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