Horseheads Returns to Final Four as Waverly's Season Ends in Heartbreak

Horseheads, the reigning state champion, is heading back to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association final four after a stellar performance in the 2026 Class AA state baseball tournament. Mason Markle delivered an impressive 5-hit shutout during a 4-0 victory over Hamburg in the regional final held at ESL Ballpark in Rochester on Friday, June 5. This follows a remarkable 1-hitter thrown by his teammate Cooper Ball earlier in the tournament.

With this win, the Blue Raiders, boasting a season record of 19-7, will face either Bethlehem from Section 2 or West Genesee from Section 3 in the state semifinals scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, June 12, at Mirabito Stadium in Binghamton. The championship match is set for 4 p.m. on June 13 at the same venue.

In the first match at ESL Ballpark that day, Waverly's season concluded with a narrow 5-4 loss against Grand Island in a Class A regional final. Waverly, the Section 4 champion, finished with a commendable 22-5 record for the season.

Markle's performance was nothing short of exceptional, as he struck out 10 batters while not allowing any walks, throwing 73 of his 96 pitches for strikes. He not only excelled on the mound but also contributed offensively, with an RBI single in the fourth inning that helped extend Horseheads’ lead to 3-0. Kegan Monahan played a pivotal role as well, hitting a two-run double in the third to break the scoreless tie.

For Grand Island, Andrew Kozlowski had a standout game, highlighted by a sliding catch to secure the win against Waverly. His two-run triple in the fourth inning helped shift momentum, and he later added an RBI single. Waverly's Ronin Ault and Daltton Davis both had strong performances at the plate, but it wasn't enough to overcome Grand Island's lead.