Berger Blanks Huskies In State Regional

Harrison struggled at the plate from start to finish against Cornwall starter R.J. Berger, as the southpaw silenced the Husky bats for seven innings while leading the Section 9 champion Dragons to a 5 - 0 victory in the state baseball regional final game at Tuesday at Dutchess Stadium.

Berger didn’t have overpowering stuff, but the southpaw only allowed one hit, struck out two and let his defense do the rest, keeping Harrison from ever maintaining any offensive momentum.

“He got it done,” said Harrison head coach Marco DiRuocco. “Nothing fancy, but he was on target with his strikes, he had a great strike to ball ratio and we really couldn’t do anything with him.”

The Cornwall pitcher knew nothing about the Harrison offense and said he didn’t even know he was starting the elimination game until his coach handed him the ball earlier in the afternoon.

“It was actually on the bus and he just had his arm up with the ball and I just grabbed it,” said Berger. “We really knew nothing, they are Section 1, we just knew they are a good team.”

Harrison’s Matt Baker picked up the only Husky Hit as he smacked a single up the middle in the fifth inning.

Berger said he didn't even know he was pitching a no hitter until his coach told him he had just given it up. Although Harrison was making solid contact throughout the afternoon, the Dragon defense was nearly flawless.

“I love my fielders, they truly are the best,” said Berger. “They have been behind me all year and they just did amazing once again.”

Harrison senior ace Max Bruckner took the loss, throwing six innings and giving up five runs. Bruckner yielded only one walk and struck out seven. But after picking up three wins for Harrison in the Section I playoffs, the loss was especially tough. He said there was no hangover from a heavy workload last week—it just wasn't his day.

“I think I was going to go out there no matter what,” said the senior. “I just wasn’t able to get the job done today.”

Cornwall’s Jimmy Patterson went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Casey Kerdesky went 2-for-3 scoring two runs and knocking in another. Third basemen Ryan Smith also had a good day at the plate for the Dragons, knocking in two runs in the fifth.

Cornwall will play in the state final four in Binghamton on Saturday.

Harrison’s season ends at 20-5. The state playoff loss was Bruckner's first on the year; he ends his senior season with a record of 8-1.

“It doesn’t take anything away from a 20 win season, section champs, league champs, I am really proud of these guys,” said DiRuocco. “It was just a phenomenal ride.”