Bobby Krogh
Capital District Scout

Class B Section 2 Championship

Albany Academy 7 - Schuylerville 0

The cadets of Albany Academy were arguably the best B team in the section all year - when they wanted to be.  They've had their knocks just like other teams, but when they are running on all cylinders, no one is close in the section.  Truth is they didn't have a great day offensively, but they put the ball in play, got some timely hits, and took advantage of 4 Schuylerville errors.

Until yesterday Academy Cadet starting LHP Brooks Knapek might have been until the radar, yet after yesterday's performance he opened a lot of eyes to really how good he is.  Bottom line, he competes.  In the complete game effort the lefty struck out 9, allowing only 2 hits.  He mixed his pitches well, throwing a devastating 12-6 curve ball with depth for strikes.  His fastball sat 82-83 in the middle innings topping at 85 in the 5th.  He only threw a handful of change-ups, (all of which were very good), but he threw enough to give the Black Horse hitters another pitch to worry about.

Albany Academy's defense has been sharp all year, and last night was no different.  They are led by their Sr. catcher Sean Dempsey.  Dempsey prides himself on being a hard worker, and playing the game the right way.  He's undoubtedly one of the top in the section, and when he finally moves on to the next level he will be sorely missed. 

PBR's take
Knapek took care of a very good hitting Schuylerville team, and I truly feel he's one of the top three lefty's in the section.  Black Horse starter Jake Petralia shouldn't hang his head.  He isn't over-powering, but he knows how to pitch.  He throws a couple different breaking balls for strikes, from a couple different arm angles.  He gets hitters to worry so much about his off-speed, that he's able to sneak his fast by batters.  Academy has the arm's and defense to be able to make a run at the state title, yet they need hit it, and hit it well.

Class A Section 2 Championship

Queensbury 7 - Troy 0 

The Spartans of Queensbury showed last night why they were the #1 ranked class A team in the section.  All around, they are a very, very good ball club.  Coach Jay Marra has been at the helm for a very long time.  From the time his team took infield, to the time they recorded the final out, it was apparent who the better - more prepared team was.  The Spartans can run, play defense, and hit.  Senior RHP Kyle Chambers also showed they can pitch.  Chambers hands down dominated the Troy High hitters all night.  He spotted up his low 80's fastball, and threw his breaking pitches for strikes.  At one time in the middle innings, in a 30 pitch stretch he threw 12 curve balls. All but 1 of those curve balls were strikes, and none of the Troy hitters ever made contact.  Chambers only allowed 4 hits in the contest, struck out 8, and didn't allow a walk.  He's as tough as anyone in the section.

Queensbury scored a pair of runs in the 4th and 5th off Troy starter David Judge, with a mix of walks, hits, and errors.  Judge's outing wasn't superb, and in the 3rd and 4th innings he visually looked tired.  He did battle to strikeout 6 over 4-2/3.

The nail in the coffin came in the 6th inning as shortstop Brett Rodriguez stepped to the plate.  With two men on, Rodriguez stayed back on a curve ball and drove it deep to the right center warning track, for a 2 run double.  The junior infielder has become a standout on the ball field.  He's an incredible athlete, plays hard, and hits with power.  His best attribute may actually be his arm.  Through pre-game warm ups he consistently had throws to first at 85mph or better.

PBR's take
Queensbury all around was simply too much for the young Troy ball club.  Chambers delivered, and so did he defense.