NCN Girls’ Basketball/Baseball Blog

Class A

No. 2 Somers at No. 1 Lakeland

The game we’ve all been waiting for. Lakeland will try to dethrone the two-time Class A sectional champions. The Tuskers most likely send Dan Zlotnick to the hill on two days rest after he shutout Eastchester in the quarterfinals Monday. Will he be able to go the whole way? I’m not sure. I was told he threw around 85 pitches Monday so asking him to go the distance could be a bit of a stretch.

Lakeland has also burned up its aces in Jon De Marte and Joe Arena. De Marte pitched Monday, but I’m guessing he comes back here. I’m betting you may see Lakeland’s Mike Schoen and Somers’ Henry Ruhlandt/Jack Pasalides in relief.

The Tuskers are coming off an emotional big-time comeback win over Beacon in the semifinals. That momentum will most certainly carry over. They’re a gritty team and they have players that have been here before.

Lakeland on the other hand doesn’t. The young squad, who only returns two starters, hasn’t experienced a big game like this. Last season they lost in the quarterfinals. So the experience edge goes to Somers.

If the game goes into the bullpen early on I think the edge goes to Somers because I feel they have a stronger lineup. But something tells me both Zlotnick and De Marte will go longer than many expect.

And with Zlotnick on the hill in a big game, it’s hard to bet against the Tuskers.

Prediction: Somers 4, Lakeland 2

Class B

No. 2 Dobbs Ferry at No. 1 Kennedy Catholic

Somehow Kennedy ace Nick Modico has only thrown two innings up to this point. But I think it was a smart move, although it almost came back to bite them against Pleasantville. Rich Lennox is basically like a 1A, and Kennedy Coach Bob Fletcher showed plenty of confidence in No. 3 Tom Baroni, who took down Rye Neck in the semifinals.

Now Modico is fresh for the finals. Translation: Dobbs is in trouble. The Ferry used up its ace Zach Avalos in the semis. No. 2 Sean LaFaye will get the call after going six innings Monday in their quarterfinal win over Albertus Magnus.

Will he be able to handle the stacked Kennedy lineup? I don’t think so. I actually think the Gaels lucked out by not having to face Nanuet’s Dan Diaz.

The game time has been moved up from 4:30 to 4 due to Kennedy’s prom. Why they scheduled the prom the same day as the sectional final is beyond me. Didn’t they expect to be here?

Kennedy will be partying the night away after they win their second straight sectional title.

Prediction: Kennedy 7, Dobbs Ferry 2