Section 2 Class B Championship Belongs to Albany Academy
Photo Via Ethan Duda/ Albany Academy
Who would have thought that a #7 seed would have beaten a #1 seed, well just about everyone for that matter. Social media blew up when Spa Catholic obtained the #1 seed over Ichabod Crane and Hudson who were both #1 and #2 state ranked. #7 Academy, a member of the Colonial Council, was out to prove they deserved better placement. None other way to do that was beat the team that many believe, didn’t deserve the #1. Every team put their all into it when Academy (18-4) and #1 Spa Catholic (15-1) squared off on Wednesday.
Don’t let that #7 seed lead you in the wrong direction, Academy is star-studded. Their roster includes superstar third baseman Brett Young, shortstop John Decker, EJ Birch and second baseman Ethan Duda, all the players that can go to top colleges. Let's not forget the reason Academy has gotten to where they are, pitcher Ben Seiler. Seiler, throwing a gem PERFECT GAME in the semi-finals against Voorheesville, carried the confidence right into this matchup.
It all started in the first inning when Spa got out to a rough start, surrendering four runs on the board to Academy. The runs came on a passed ball, three singles and a sacrifice bunt to allow the Cadets to go coast to coast for the championship.
The fight of Spa Catholic came back in the 3rd to put up three runs and cut the lead to one. Connor Farrington led off the inning with a single, followed by a sac bunt from Dante Marin to move him over to second. Zac Cronk hit another single, moving Farrington to third and a single from Tillman brought him home. A passed ball allowed Cronk to cross the plate and Kaedan Learch hit a single to get Tillman across the plate. That made it 4-3.
Not to worry as Academy fired right back to score four runs in the 5th and 6th frames and capture the championship.
Ben Seiler picked up the most important win of his career for the Cadets going six innings. Seiler also led in the hitting column going 3-4 with two doubles. To go along with that Brett Young, Ethan Duda and EJ Birch all hit triples in the victory for Academy.
The championship gives Academy their second championship in 3 years, first since 2015. Now Academy advances into the state tournament where they have received a bye. They will play the winner of Section VII or Section X on June 3rd.
For continued coverage of Section 2 Baseball, stay with Upstate Sports Zone… @upstate_sports
By Jake Martino
