Walter Panas rallies late, beats Wallkill in state Class A regional final
SAUGERTIES – Danny Witters was hoping for a single to move runners ahead of him, in an effort to snap a tied game in extra innings.
He got a lot more than that.
Witters’ fly ball carried better than any ball struck on a cold and breezy Saturday afternoon, clearing the 330-foot fence in left field at Cantine Field with a bit to spare. The three-run homer – his first of the year – sparked what turned out to be a five-run outburst in the 10th inning as Section 1 champ Walter Panas finally was able to shake Section 9 champion Wallkill 6-1 in a state Class A regional final.
Player of the game
O Captain, My Captain!
Witters had every opportunity to bask in his spotlight, but – other than his huge foot stomp of home plate for the 4-1 lead – he chose to praise his teammates instead.
“Tons of kids on our team put in so (many) hours, not just for themselves but for team success,’’ he said. “The fact that we're going to states means a million (dollars) to me and my teammates.’’
Witters had come up unlucky on three previous at-bats against Wallkill standout starter Kyle DeGroat, including getting robbed on a splendid run and diving catch by Wallkill center fielder Chase Hermance in the fifth inning, snuffing a small rally that had tied the score. But DeGroat was pulled after one out in the ninth, and Julian Butcher came on to pitch the 10th – all seven batters he faced reached base, including the homer and a two-run ripped single by Derek Hawley.
Panas head coach Anthony Fata was even telling Witters to bunt, but recanted.
“I said, ‘Danny, just be you … make it happen.’’’
Witters worked the count to 3-2 and crushed the next pitch.
“I didn't know if it was fair or foul. I knew that it had the distance,’’ he said. “It was awesome. I care most about my team's success and it helped us win the baseball game.’’
“He’s had a lot of doubles,’’ Fata said, “but for Danny to do it in this type of spot … I couldn’t ask more for my captain.’’
Wasted effort
DeGroat is one of the best pitchers in the state. He held Panas hitless for 5 2/3 innings, a slap single by Mike Scozzafava ending the string. But he did walk five batters and his counterpart, Jackson DiLorenzo, was hit by pitches twice, the first one forcing in the tying run in the sixth and the other in the decisive 10th.
Wallkill’s undoing was the lack of clutch hits: Fifteen runners were stranded, including the bases loaded in the first and eighth innings – for the latter, Panas reliever and winner Anthony Jaeschke induced a pop-out and battled back from a 3-0 count to fan Jake Spindler to kill that threat. In all, Wallkill batters were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, DeGroat’s lined RBI single to center in the second staking his team to the 1-0 lead.
They said it
“Our bats weren’t where they were supposed to be today but this is the playoffs … I don't care if we win 1-0 or 9-1 … it doesn't matter as long as that ‘W’ is on the board. We’ll advance and we'll take it.’’ - Panas coach Anthony Fata
“Stuff like that hurts. It’s going to hurt for a little bit. As time goes on you reflect more on the season. … You always remember the missed opportunities but these guys the last six years built the program. They got us to a place we haven’t been before.’’ – Wallkill coach T.D. Mills
What’s next?
Panas (24-3) heads to the state final four in Binghamton. The Panthers will take on Section 6 winner Williamsville East in a 2 p.m. semifinal on Friday at Binghamton University. The final would be 1 p.m. Saturday, also at Binghamton.
Mills said he was proud of Wallkill team that finished 21-3 and set numerous team marks. He also has DeGroat coming back next year.
“This is the best team I've ever had in 15 years at Wallkill,’’ he said, “and probably there's probably a 90% chance I'll never see anything like this again.’’
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Walter Panas rallies late, beats Wallkill for state baseball regional
