State semi is up next for Mustangs Friday

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The pitching duo of Aidan Papaj, left, and Preston Woodworth leads Medina which will compete in the state semifinal on Friday at Binghamton.

Looking to keep the momentum from six straight postseason wins, including five shutouts, Medina will face Utica Notre Dame (Section III) in the state baseball tournament Class B semifinal at 10 a.m. Friday at Binghamton University.

The state semifinal appearance will be the second in three years and the fourth overall for the Mustangs who are seeking their first semifinal victory.

The victor will advance to Saturday’s Class B championship game against the winner of the other semifinal between Chester (Section IX) and Center Moriches (Section XI). The title contest will also be at 10 a.m. at Binghamton University.

“It is always an honor to make it there and we will do the best we can to represent our school and our community,” said Coach Chris Goyette. “The games there are always very competitive. It will be a real good test for us as they are a quality team.”

Medina, which is 21-2, advanced to the semifinals by nipping Oneonta (Section IV) 1-0 in the Regionals while the Utica Notre Dame Jugglers edged Taconic Hills (Section II) 7-5.

The Mustangs lineup includes Preston Woodworth (pitcher/shortstop), Aidan Papaj (pitcher/shortstop), Hadrian Batista (catcher), Cam Fike (first base), Carlos Doval (second base), Jimmy Dieter (third base), Kolton Fletcher (left field), Vinny Gray (center field) and Ryan Pegelow (right field).

“They really have done a great job and have played really well the last couple of games,” said Goyette. “We want to get solid pitching and defense, put the ball in play and put pressure on the pitcher and defense by wrecking havoc on the bases and they have done a great job understanding what we are looking for.”

In their three previous semifinal appearances the Mustangs lost to Spackenkill 5-3 in 2024, to Schuylerville 6-3 in 2019 and to Carle Place 9-1 in 2003.