The berths in the Section 1 Baseball championships are up for grabs today around the region. Here’s KDJ’s look at the games, ways to watch live and his predictions.
Section 1 Baseball Tournament
Class AAA Semifinals
Tournament Bracket for Class AAA
No. 5 Mamaroneck (12-8-1) at No. 1 Ketcham (18-3)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Stream: Watch on LocalLive
Season Results
Mamaroneck
Ketcham
Preview: The reigning state champion Storm are a win away from yet another trip to the Section 1 championship game. The two-time champs rolled past North Rockland 9-2 in the quarters and faces a Mamaroneck squad that pulled away in the seventh for a 12-6 win at Ossining. The Tigers’ pitching is far more taxed than Ketcham, which beat Mamaroneck 5-4 early in the regular season.
KDJ’s Pick: Ketcham 11, Mamaroneck 4
No. 3 John Jay-EF (12-7-1) at No. 2 Arlington (19-2)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Season Results
John Jay-EF
Arlington
Preview: These league rivals are quite familiar with each other. The edge has to go to the Admirals, who beat Jay twice in the regular season (6-0 and 6-5). The Admirals needed a walk-off to beat White Plains in the first round while Jay cruised past Scarsdale. Advantage to the Patriots, who’ve hit a second gear late in the season. They’re primed for the upset and a crack at Ketcham in the final.
KDJ’s Pick: John Jay-EF 4, Arlington 3
Class AA Semifinals
Tournament Bracket for Class AA
No. 4 Eastchester (14-8) at No. 1 Mahopac (14-6-1)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Stream: Watch on LocalLive
Season Results
Eastchester
Mahopac
Preview: Both teams got stellar pitching performances in the opening round to earn a spot in the semifinals. Expect this game to be the same as Jake Warnock should get the ball for the Eagles. He’ll need to silence a Mahopac lineup that’s been hot of late with Tyler DeBrocky, DJ DeMatteo and Robert Dusovic doing the damage against Suffern.
KDJ’s Pick: Mahopac 2, Eastchester 1
No. 3 Clarkstown North (15-7) at No. 2 Fox Lane (15-7)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Stream: Watch on LocalLive
Season Results
Clarkstown North
Fox Lane
Preview: Each of these teams should feel fortunate to still be playing after needing walk-off wins in the quarters, both by 7-6 final scores. Fox Lane has actually walked off in both playoff wins. While Clarkstown North was my pre-tournament pick, I didn’t expect Fox Lane to have ace Tyler Renz on the mound today, which changes this matchup. Clarkstown North has arguably the deepest lineup in this conference. But Renz is a different level than they’ve faced all season.
KDJ’s Pick: Fox Lane 3, Clarkstown North 1
Class A Semifinals
Tournament Bracket for Class A
No. 4 Panas (16-6) at No. 1 Tappan Zee (19-3)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Season Results
Panas
Tappan Zee
Preview: Panas is still the Section 1 champs until someone beats them, and top-seeded TZ has their work cut out for them here. Tappan Zee has the deepest pitching staff in this bracket and will likely need to mix and match here against a Panthers lineup that has put up 19 runs in two playoff games. TZ has won 10 straight after surviving a 9-8 thriller with Pelham in the quarters. Scary matchup for the Dutchmen but being at home could be the edge.
KDJ’s Pick: Tappan Zee 6, Panas 4
No. 6 John Jay-CR (14-7) at No. 2 Nanuet (15-5-1)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Season Results
John Jay-CR
Nanuet
Preview: John Jay is the team nobody in this tournament wants to face and for good reason. The Wolves’ lineup is deep and they’re looking to get back to the Section 1 final after losing last season. They’ve coasted in the first two playoff games and faced a tougher schedule than Nanuet in the regular season. The Golden Knights need their best pitching performance of the playoffs to pull this one out.
KDJ’s Pick: John Jay-CR 6, Nanuet 2
Class B Semifinals
Tournament Bracket for Class B
No. 4 Pleasantville (15-6) at No. 1 Rye Neck (18-3)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Stream: Watch on LocalLive
Season Results
Pleasantville
Rye Neck
Preview: If you believe in momentum, then Pleasantville is the easy pick here. The Panthers rallied from three runs down in the bottom of the seventh against Putnam Valley in the quarters as freshman Reed Supranowitz smashed a three-run homer to tie the game before Pleasantville walked it off later in the inning. The teams played
KDJ’s Pick: Rye Neck 5, Pleasantville 3
No. 3 Croton-Harmon (16-5) at No. 2 Albertus Magnus (13-3)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Season Results
Croton-Harmon
Albertus Magnus
Preview: The defending champion Falcons seem to just get better as the season goes on and there’s no signs of them slowing down. While they skated by Valhalla in the quarterfinals, 3-2, this team has championship mettle, which will be a major advantage here. Croton bounced back from a pair of late-season losses to Put Valley and rolled in the postseason. The question will be if they can out-hit this Albertus lineup.
KDJ’s Pick: Albertus Magnus 7, Croton-Harmon 4
Section 1 Championships Schedule
at Purchase College
Thursday, May 23
Class C
No. 1 Tuckahoe vs. No. 3 Haldane, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 25
Class B, 10 a.m.
Class A, 1 p.m.
Class AA, 4 p.m.
Class AAA, 7 p.m
All Section 1 Baseball championships will be streamed on LocalLive.tv this weekend from Purchase College. Check back for links
