Cornwall Baseball Undefeated, Aims for State AA Championship

Cornwall's baseball team has mastered the art of winning this season, showcasing both commanding victories and the ability to clinch tight games. As the top-ranked team in the state, the Dragons have maintained their flawless record with a series of impressive performances, including two tense playoff victories in recent weeks. Their latest triumph came on June 12, when they defeated John F. Kennedy, the Suffolk County champions, by a score of 5-3 in Binghamton, bringing their overall record to 24-0.

The Dragons are set to face Section 3 champions West Genesee in the Class AA state championship game on Saturday at 4 p.m. West Genesee has a record of 21-4 and is riding a seven-game winning streak, having recently topped Horseheads 5-1 in the semifinals.

In their latest match, Cornwall fell behind early, with JFK's Ryan and Derek Yormack hitting leadoff doubles to give their team a 1-0 lead in the first inning. However, Cornwall quickly responded, taking a 2-1 lead in the second inning before the game saw two more ties. Despite JFK starter Derek Yormack limiting the Dragons to just one hit through five innings, a pivotal moment came in the sixth inning. With the score tied at three, Cornwall's Richie Roohan, who had struggled earlier in the game, hit a leadoff triple. Following a walk to Mason Lont and a series of strategic plays, Cornwall managed to regain the lead at 5-3.

Reliever Charles Rourke then entered the game for Cornwall, displaying dominance by retiring all three batters he faced in the seventh inning, sealing the victory with a strikeout. Rourke's efficient performance on just 12 pitches may set him up to start in the upcoming championship game.

In a game filled with dynamic plays, Ryan Yormack managed to hit an inside-the-park home run for JFK, but Cornwall's resilience shone through as they capitalized on errors and wild pitches to secure their win. This championship showdown promises to be an exciting match, as Cornwall seeks to complete their perfect season.