Jared Carrier
Scouting Director, New York
@coachjed

Class D Final Four / The Breakdown

Deposit-Hancock (Section 4)
Record: 22-1
Road to Binghamton: Cruised through the gauntlet of Class D teams in Section 4 and then defeated a tough LaFargeville squad to make it to the Final Four. Balanced offensive squad who will be the geographic home team.
Key Contributors: Lane Bass, Darren Shaver, Seth Simmons and Joe Gross
Semifinal Matchup: vs. Fort Ann; 3pm at Conlon Field
Prediction: If they get by Fort Ann and their arms, they win it all. It will be a true battle of a deep offensive lineup vs. front line pitching.

S.S. Seward (Section 9)
Record: 13-9
Road to Binghamton: Only had to win two games in Section 9 tourney, had a bye to the Final Four.
Key Contributors: Matt Stam, Jake Gardiner and Rob Pipolo.
Semifinal Matchup: vs. North Collins; 5:30pm at Conlon Field
Prediction: Patient approach squad that will scrap out at-bats. The small school talent in Section 9 was way down this year, that with the layoff from their last game to now could pose a problem vs. North Collins.

Fort Ann (Section 2)
Record: 18-2
Road to Binghamton: Dominated Section II play during the regular season. 2017 RHP Garrett Bailey punches out 15 to advance to Binghamton.
Key Contributors: Tyler Mattison (Bryant), Garrett Bailey (Cornell) and OF Jeremy Johnson
Semifinal Matchup: vs. Deposit-Hancock; 3pm Conlon Field
Prediction: The 1-2 punch of RHP Tyler Mattison and Bailey at the Class D level gives Fort Ann a major advantage. Two power arms with Mattiston in the upper 80's to 90 MPH and Bailey in the mid to upper 80's would give most Class AA teams an advantage. If they can fend of the Deposit-Hancock bats, Fort Ann claims their 5th state title.

North Collins (Section 6)
Record: 14-5
Road to Binghamton:
Key Contributors: Dylon Mercado, Brandon Zielinksi
Semifinal Matchup: vs. S.S. Seward; 5:30pm at Conlon Field
Prediction: Should get by Seward but will face a tough task with either Deposit-Hancock or Fort Ann. Threw a combined 1 hitter to get to Binghamton but allowed 5 runs vs. Lima.

Our Thoughts

"The Championship matchup, in our eyes, will be the Deposit-Hancock vs. Fort Ann semifinal. The winner of this game should take it all. When it comes to the postseason the safe bet is to go with the pitching and Fort Ann's big guns should carry them to another title."

What do you think? Make your voice heard with our twitter poll that ends at 12 midnight.

Championship Week / Class D: We dive into the State Final Four matchups this week, starting with the small schools of Class D. Who takes it?

— PBR New York (@PBRNewYork) June 5, 2017