Marlboro loses in MHAL semifinals

By RICK REMSNYDER
Posted 5/25/22

Marlboro went into Tuesday’s Mid-Hudson Athletic League baseball playoffs as the two-time defending champion off its back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.

There was no competition in 2020 …

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Marlboro loses in MHAL semifinals

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Marlboro went into Tuesday’s Mid-Hudson Athletic League baseball playoffs as the two-time defending champion off its back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.

There was no competition in 2020 because of the pandemic and league officials decided not to hold the four-team event in 2021 due to a limited schedule.
Things got off to a promising start against Wallkill at Cantine Field in Saugerties when the Dukes led 2-1 at the end of the first inning on Tommy Benfer’s two-run single.

But the roof caved in for Marlboro over the next six innings as Wallkill posted an 11-2 victory to advance to the MHAL championship game vs. Spackenkill.

The Panthers (15-3) then beat undefeated Spackenkill 2-1 in the nightcap to capture the school’s first MHAL championship.

There really wasn’t much to celebrate for the Dukes (10-5) in the loss as its pitching staff gave up 14 hits against the red-hot Panthers. It was pretty much a replay of Wallkill’s 11-4 victory in an April 25 league contest.

Marlboro coach John Morrissey was ready to turn the page following the lopsided loss. After all, the No. 4 seeded Dukes must regroup when they host No. 5 Rondout Valley at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 23 in the opening round of the Section 9 Class B postseason tournament.

“If we can get to playing as a team and not as individuals, I think we’ll be alright,” Morrissey said. “I told the guys they’ve got to check their egos at the door and do the next right thing to help the team win. If they go into sectionals with that mindset, I think we’re going to do some special things.”

Morrissey pegged top seed Burke Catholic, No. 2 Spackenkill and No. 3 Dover as the teams to beat in a loaded Class B field.

Although disappointed in the early exit in the MHAL semifinals, Morrissey believes the Dukes could contend in the sectionals if they play as a team and get timely hits.

“What it comes down to is stringing hits together,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who the competition is going to be. If we go up with the right approach with the bat, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

The Dukes scored two runs against Wallkill starter Jacob Quiles in the bottom of the first after the Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the inning.
Mitch Neer and Collin Casey drew back-to-back one-out walks and Harrison Conn beat out a bunt to load the bases. Benfer then delivered a two-run single to right field to put the Dukes ahead 2-1.

Quiles settled down to strike out John Ryder and retire Jack Schlangler on a fly ball to right to end the inning.

The Panthers regained the lead at 4-2 with three runs in the third and then scored seven more over the next three innings to make it an 11-2 final.

Brandon Vesely had three RBIs for Wallkill and Kyle DeGroat had three hits for the winners.

Marlboro got two hits apiece from Conn and Jack Schlangler. Neer chipped in with a double for the Dukes, who had seven base hits.

The Dukes ended the regular season with a 3-2 win over Roosevelt on Wednesday to head into the Class B tournament with an 11-5 mark.