Huskies Dig in for Section Title Game

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The Top Spot:

Harrison has been the team to beat in the Section I Class A tournament since John Jay (CR) upset Yonkers in the opening round last week.

After an impressive run through the tournament—culminating with an impressive 8-0 win over John F. Kennedy Catholic on Tuesday—the second seeded Huskies will now take on Byram Hills at 4 p.m. at Dutchess Stadium.

Harrison was in the championship game two years ago, when the Huskies fell to the .

Like that team, this year Harrison is led by seniors on both sides of the ball. Pitcher Max Bruckner and outfielder Shang-Li Polera have been two of the hottest players in Section I since the playoffs began. Polera is hitting .345 on the year and leads the Huskies with 25 runs scored, 16 stolen bases and 14 extra base hits.

Bruckner has been virtually unhittable this postseason as he has gone the distance in his two starts, striking out 16 while only allowing one run.

Bruckner probably won’t be available to pitch tonight, so the Huskies will likely turn to senior southpaw Mike Forgione, a capable pitcher who has been the number two on Harrison’s staff all season long. This year Forgione comes in with 2.92 ERA and he leads Harrison in innings pitched with 48, while averaging a strikeout per inning on the year.

Harrison and Byram Hills have matched up twice already this season. The Huskies won the first game 4-1 as Luke Sassano struck out nine and gave up 10 hits in the complete game. In the second matchup the Huskies fell behind early and lost 14-4 at home. 

The rubber match of the season series will determine the Section I championship.

Yesterday’s Results:

Sport: Baseball

Game: Briarcliff vs. Keio

Score: Briarcliff Won 5-0

Highlights: Briarcliff jumped ahead quickly and Paul Henshaw pitched brilliantly as the team won their second consecutive Section I Class B championship. Henshaw only allowed three hits in the win and Ryan Huegel put the Bears on top for good in the first inning. Huegel went from first to third on a Jackson Plimpton sacrifice bunt and came in to score on a John Fussell fielder’s choice.

Sport: Baseball

Game: Tuckahoe vs. Haldane

Score: Haldane Won 7-4

Highlights: Haldane’s Dan Kinnaird was named the Class C Most Valuable Player as Haldane avenged last year’s 4-3 loss to Tuckahoe in the Championship Game. Haldane will play in their regional game on Monday at 4 p.m. at Pace.

Sport: Boys Lacrosse

Game: Mamaroneck vs. Mahopac

Score: Mamaroneck Won 9-8

Highlights: Mamaroneck finally lost the underdog label as the Tigers squeaked by Mahopac in the Class A Championship at White Plains. Scott Greenberg and Peter Conley led the Tigers with four goals each and Thomas Brill picked up 20 saves in the win.

Sport: Boys Lacrosse

Game: John Jay (CR) vs. Yorktown

Score: Yorktown Won 9-8

Highlights: Conner Vercruysse won the game for Yorktown on a Conor Cately assist in overtime of the Section 1 Class B Final.

Sport: Girls Lacrosse

Game: Red Hook Central vs. Rye

Score: Rye Won 17-3

Highlights: Rye picked up a first round victory in regionals at Dietz Stadium in Kingston yesterday. Emma Brinkman led the way for Rye as she scored seven goals and assisted on another. Kelly Bonaventura, Scarlett Sulliman, Tori Virtue, and Charlotte Tucci each scored twice in the win.

Sport: Boys Lacrosse 

Game: Hendrick Hudson vs. Bronxville

Score: Bronxville Won 12-6

Highlights: Bronxville won the Class C championship at White Plains High School yesterday thanks in large part to two hat tricks by Brewster Warble and Henry Grass. Grass also had four assists as Reilly Walsh and Jack Grass scored twice. Eric Pass led the Bronco defense with nine saves.

Today’s Schedule:

Section Championship Baseball Games, at Dutchess Stadium:

Class AA, Arlington takes on John Jay (EF) at 7 p.m.

Class A, Harrison takes on Byram Hills at 4 p.m.

Other Sports News:

Weekly Sports Poll:

This week’s sports poll asks The Yankees are fighting to get out of the cellar in the AL East, while the Mets are actually competitive for the first time in years.