The Section II baseball championship banner in Guilderland High School’s gym is getting its first update in 30 years.
Andrew Simpson’s three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning propelled the Dutchmen to a 5-2 victory over Troy in Friday’s Section II, Class AA championship game at Joe Bruno Stadium.
It’s the first Sectional title since Guilderland (18-2) won the 1977 class A championship.
Somebody always steps up. That’s what good teams do, said Guilderland coach Doug LaValley.
Simpson batted cleanup for the first time all year after Jake Colavito was sidelined when he was hit in the eye by a baseball during pre-game infield practice. Simpson then cleaned up when he belted his first home run of the season, which plated Nick Polsinelli and Ben Henderson to give Guilderland a 3-2 lead.
Polsinelli handled everything from there. The senior pitcher shut down Troy’s offense over the final four innings to pick up the complete-game victory.
`Polsinelli told (his teammates) he was going to get the job done. It didn’t matter who was in the field,` said LaValley.
Jimmy Sabbag contributed an RBI single during Guilderland’s four-run third inning, and Henderson added an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. John Barna drove in Troy’s two runs with a first inning double and a third inning single ` two of only five hits Polsinelli allowed.
The Dutchmen advanced to Tuesday’s class AA regional game against Section III champion Utica-Proctor in Rome with the hopes of adding another title to the banner. C.J. Sohl was the scheduled starter.
`I think if we play our game, we should be able to win,` said LaValley.“