Section 9 Playoff Predictions

May 22, 2016

Jared Carrier
Assistant to the Director

Today we take a quick look at the Section 9 brackets with a favorite, a sleeper pick, an upset special and a finals prediction. Look for the AA bracket to produce some exciting games with up to 6 teams capable of playing in the final. Class A, B, C and D will be a little more cut and dry. Best of luck to all teams.

Class AA

The Favorite: #1 seeded Monroe-Woodbury. The Crusaders have a nice mix of youth and experience. They play solid defense and can extend the lineup. No true dominant arms but a group of guys who can throw strikes and keep the opposition off-balance.

The Sleeper: One could almost go with any pick in the battle tested AA bracket. #3 Kingston, #4 Warwick, #5 Minisink Valley. We're going to go out on a limb and go with the #7 Valley Central Vikings. A talented group that may have underachieved at times this year. If they get hot, they could run the table.

Upset Special: #7 Valley Central 8, #2 Roosevelt 5...expect some of the Vikings seniors to step up and take control (Dan Delgaizo, Fletcher Szabo, Kenny Gray).

Finals Prediction: #1 Monroe-Woodbury 5, #3 Kingston 3. This game could go either way, expect this matchup over the next few years to be hotly contested.

Class A

The Favorite: #1 seeded Cornwall Dragons. The discipline of Coach Tom Fanning's group puts Cornwall in the driver's seat once again. If they out execute their opponents, expect to see them in Saugerties Saturday.

The Sleeper: #3 Wallkill....an experienced group, who much like Valley Central in Class AA, has underachieved at times. Expect Coach TD Mills' crew to be on point and make some noise.

Upset Special: #5 Monticello 5, #4 Goshen 2...a 5/4 game may not be that much of a reach but upstart Monticello has 3 viable arms in Steven Cannavo, Rup Patel and Parth Patel and have given teams a hard time this year.

Finals Prediction: #2 New Paltz 7, #1 Cornwall 4....why not? First sectional championship for the Hugenots since______?

Class B

The Favorite: #1 seeded John S. Burke Catholic will ride RHP's Ryan Geraghty and Charlie Reichle. They're strong up the middle with the senior leadership of 2B Chris Skermo and strong armed catcher Nelson Arroyo.

The Sleeper: #7 Highland (With #9 Rondout Valley a close second). Expect the Huskies to give number #2 Spackenkill a fight in their opening round matchup, with a win they could make it to Saturday.

Upset Special: #9 Rondout Valley 6, #1 John S. Burke Catholic 3...Bold, bold prediction but Rondout has given teams a run for their money and Burke's Division was way down this year. The Ganders, fresh off their "play-in" win over #8 Ellenville on Saturday have the benefit of not having a lay off (Burke received 3 forfeit wins over a folded Fallsburg squad last week).

Finals Prediction: #3 Marlboro 4, #2 Spackenkill 3 (extra innings)....look for senior LHP Nick Mongelli to continue his postseason run from football and basketball.

Class C

The Favorite: #1 seeded Chester. Sophomores TJ Gregory (INF/RHP) and OF John Hipsman are talented players that have lead a hot Hambletonian squad "down the stretch"...pun intended.

The Sleeper: #3 S.S. Seward. Senior Cole Gill has had a great year and may be out seeking revenge as Chester handed it to them last week in their conference series.

Upset Special: #4 Tri-Valley is capable of sneaking a win from better teams on paper (they've proved so this spring). Not sure if they have enough in the tank but in 7 innings of HS baseball anything is possible...unfortunately for the Bears, Chester will be up to the task. (NOTE: Only a 4 team field)

Finals Prediction: #2 Pine Plains 6, #1 Chester 4....The Bombers always seem to find a way but it won't be easy.

Class D

The Favorite: #1 Chapel Field....the small private school is back in the mix. Coach Canazon has been to the promise land before. Only needing to use one starter is a major advantage in the small school bracket as the talent drops off quickly for most squads.

The Sleeper: #2 Livingston Manor...these players grew up watching the 2012 team win a state title, can they channel the ghosts of the Wildcats past? (Note: only a 3 team field).

Upset Special: None. All 3 teams are on equal levels.

Finals Prediction: #1 Chapel Field 9, #3 Coleman Catholic 6