Mustangs look for the third time to be the charm at the state Class B semifinal Friday

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Vinny Gray, shown here diving back to first during the Far West Regional, and his Mustang teammates will be playing in the state Class B semifinals on Friday.

Looking to make the third time be the charm, Medina will face Spackenkill (Section IX) in the Class B state semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday at Union-Endicott High School near Binghampton.

The victor will face the winner of the Taconic Hills (Section II) vs. Little Falls (Section III) semifinal in the Class B championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Binghamton University.

This will be Medina’s third appearance in the state semifinals. In the two previous trips the Mustangs lost 9-1 to Carle Place (Section VIII) in 2003 and 6-3 to Schuylerville (Section II) in 2019.

Spackenkill captured the Class B state championship two years ago interestingly downing Schuylerville 6-4.

Medina, which brings a 20-1 record into the semis, advanced by downing Wellsville 8-3 in the Far West Regional.

Spackenkill, which is 18-4, gained a berth in the semis by downing Wheatley (Section VIII) in the Southeast Regional by the identical score of 8-3.

Eight pitchers have earned wins on the mound this season for Spackenkill led by Linis Oudom who made 9 starts and has a 5-1 record with 75 strikeouts and Dan Collins with a 3-1 record and 55 strikeouts.

The Spartans have been led at the plate by Dylan Boening who is hitting .431 with 30 RBI, Bryan Hoyt (.273 with 26 RBI) and Collins (.484, 25 RBI).

Five pitchers have made starts for Medina this season including senior Julian Woodworth (36 strikeouts), juniors Brody Fry (58 strikeouts) and Lukas Grimes (15 strikeouts) along with freshmen Preston Woodworth (38 strikeouts) and Aidan Papaj (37 strikeouts). Fry earned the wins on the mound in both the Section VI final and Far West Regional games.

At the plate, Papaj, senior Brandon Christiaansen and junior Carter Woodworth are all hitting over .300 while Fry and junior Ryleigh Culver are hitting over .275. Run production has been very balanced on the season as Papaj has 19 RBI, Carter Woodworth 17, Culver 16, Fry 14, senior Richard Keppler 13, Preston Woodworth 12 and Christiaansen 11.

Depending on who is pitching, the Mustangs versatile lineup during the recent playoff run has included Culver at catcher, Brandon Christiaansen at first base, Preston Woodworth at second or pitcher, Papaj at shortstop or pitcher, Carter Woodworth at third, Fry in left field or pitcher, Julian Woodworth in centerfield or pitcher, junior Brady Christiaansen in rightfield, sophomore Vinny Gray at either an infield or outfield position and Keppler as the designated hitter.

Spectators are reminded that tickets should be purchased in advance on-line by clicking here .