CBA Edges Elmira in Thrilling Subregional Baseball Clash

Syracuse's Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) staged a dramatic comeback, scoring three runs in the seventh inning to secure a 9-7 win against Elmira in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AAA baseball subregional on Tuesday, June 2, at Horseheads High School. The victory propelled CBA to the regional final, where they will face Niagara Falls this Saturday.

The turning point came when CBA's Colton Steinfest hit a single that took a bad hop into right field, allowing the team to tie the game at 7-7. They gained the lead shortly after, capitalizing on a two-out throwing error that brought in the crucial runs. Elmira's Aiden Ranck doubled to start the bottom of the seventh, but CBA reliever Owen Harris managed to shut down the rally by inducing two pop-outs and a fly ball to secure the win.

Elmira, the Section 4 champions, wrapped up their season with a 15-6 record, seeing their impressive 13-game winning streak come to an end. "We expected a battle. We expected to win," Elmira head coach Justin Fuchs reflected. "Our boys were ready. That team just went through a really tough series up in Syracuse. They were ready, too." He expressed disappointment over the loss and praised his team's efforts throughout the season.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair, with CBA initially taking a 4-0 lead in the third inning, only for Elmira to respond with six runs in the same frame. Jackson Cavalier's RBI double in the sixth inning had given Elmira a 7-6 lead before CBA's late-game heroics. Starting pitcher Aedan Palmer had a strong performance, tossing 6 2/3 innings with 11 strikeouts, but Elmira's four errors proved costly.

CBA's offensive efforts were bolstered by contributions from Jimmy Kennedy, Rocco Grotto, and Steinfest, who each recorded two hits. Grotto notably scored three runs, while Harris, who came in as relief, limited Elmira to just one run over 4 1/3 innings of work. Fuchs acknowledged the missed opportunities for Elmira to capitalize on their scoring chances, ultimately leading to their season's end.