Mustangs score shutout to claim their elusive first state Class B semifinal diamond victory
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina players celebrate after downing Utica Notre Dame 9-0 in the state Class B semifinals this morning at Binghamton University. Catcher Hadrian Batista hugs pitcher Preston Woodworth as Jimmy Dieter, Aidan Papaj and Carlos Doval rush in to join the celebration.
Sparked by a big early inning scoring burst and the sharp shutout pitching of Preston Woodworth, Medina blanked Utica Notre Dame 9-0 in the semifinals of the state Class B baseball tournament this morning at Binghamton University.
The victory in the state semifinals is the first in four tries for the Mustangs which will now face the winner of this afternoon’s semifinal between Chester (Section IX) and Center Moriches (Section XI) in the championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday at Binghamton University.
Preston Woodworth hurled Medina to the state semifinal victory.
The Mustangs took the lead for good by erupting for 5 runs in the second inning highlighted by a three-run triple by Ryan Pegelow and RBI single by Aidan Papaj and Woodworth.
“I loved it. It felt great,” said Pegelow of his key triple.
Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases to set up the threat.
On the mound Woodworth blanked the Jugglers on 3 hits and registered 9 strikeouts.
“It feels really good,” said Woodworth. “Getting all of those runs in that inning early was really big. It helped make me more comfortable.”
The Mustangs tacked on two runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Vinny Gray and Woodworth and two more in the sixth on an error following singles by Woodworth and Cam Fike.
Woodworth finished with 4 hits as Papaj and Fike both had 2.
“They did a real good job but we have one more to go,” said Coach Chris Goyette whose Mustangs improve to 22-2.
In their three previous state semifinal contests the Mustangs lost to Spackenkill 5-3 in 2024, 6-3 to Schuylerville in 2019 and 9-1 to Carle Place in 2003.
Ryan Pegelow had the big three-run triple which keyed the Mustangs decisive second innng scoring burst.
Medina catcher Hadrian Batista gets set to catch the ball for the final out of the Mustangs semifinal victory.
