McQuaid gets back on top of Section V with Class AA baseball championship

James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·3 min read

The McQuaid Knights returned to the top of Section V Baseball, but it wasn't easy..

McQuaid scored early and made sure those runs were enough during the final five innings to defeat Victor 2-1 Tuesday night in the Section V Class AA championship game.

Left-handed starting pitcher Will Taylor, one of 14 seniors on the McQuaid ballclub, pitched all seven innings at Frontier Field against No. 5 seed Victor (14-9). Taylor was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament final.

The No. 2 seed Knights, champions again after they were eliminated during the 2021 semifinals, also won sectional titles in 2017 and 2019 with Tony Fuller as coach.

Key play No. 1

McQuaid's Daniel McAliney slides safely home ahead of the tag by Victor catcher Zack Prior giving McQuaid a 2-0 lead in the second inning during their Section V Class AA championship final at Frontier Field Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Rochester. McQuaid won the game and championship 2-1.
McQuaid's Daniel McAliney slides safely home ahead of the tag by Victor catcher Zack Prior giving McQuaid a 2-0 lead in the second inning during their Section V Class AA championship final at Frontier Field Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Rochester. McQuaid won the game and championship 2-1.

McQuaid had runners on first and third with one out in the second inning when a groundball was hit to first base. The baserunners were already in motion when the ball was fielded by the infielder, who stepped on first base and wanted to throw to second for an attempt at a double play.

But Daniel McAliney was on his way to home plate, leading to a throw home. McAliney beat the throw to score and give the Knights a 2-0 lead.

Key plays No. 2 and No. 3

McQuaid starting pitcher Will Taylor went the distance for the win and was named game MVP during their Section V Class AA championship final at Frontier Field Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Rochester. McQuaid won the game and championship 2-1.
McQuaid starting pitcher Will Taylor went the distance for the win and was named game MVP during their Section V Class AA championship final at Frontier Field Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Rochester. McQuaid won the game and championship 2-1.

The Victor Blue Devils, trailing by a run in the seventh, had a baserunner on second base and one out. Taylor struck out the next two batters to end the game.

More: Webster Thomas defeats crosstown rival Webster Schroeder for back-to-back titles

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More: Palmyra-Macedon captures Section V title repeat and stays undefeated

By the numbers

McQuaid players celebrate around the pitchers mound after the last out giving them the Section V Class AA championship final win over Victor at Frontier Field Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Rochester. McQuaid won the game and championship 2-1.
McQuaid players celebrate around the pitchers mound after the last out giving them the Section V Class AA championship final win over Victor at Frontier Field Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Rochester. McQuaid won the game and championship 2-1.

3 - Number of sectionals titles won by McQuaid in the last six seasons.

2 - Number of outs when McQuaid scored its first run in the first inning.

1 - A home run hit by Max Friedlander in the top of the seventh that cut Victor's deficit to one run.

3 - Hits for Victor allowed by Taylor

2 - Walks issued by Taylor

11 - Batters struck out by Taylor

Stat standouts

Max Friedlander (Victor): Pitched 6 innings, 2 earened runs allowed, 8 hits, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts, 1 for 3 as a hitter, solo home run in the seventh inning

McAliney (McQuaid): 1 for 2, scored winning run in the second inning

Luca Ciaramitaro (McQuaid): 2 for 3, scored 1 run

Tanner Degrazia (McQuaid):  2 for 3, including a double

Aiden Stewart (McQuaid): 1 for 3, double

Taylor (McQuaid): 1 for 3

Zach Allen (McQuaid): 1 for 2

Zach Prior (Victor): 2 for 3

They said it

“Two bizarre runs but it worked out," - McQuaid coach Tony Fuller.

"We kind of knew what it took. We got the job done, and deserve it," - McQuaid pitcher Will Taylor said about the team's group of seniors.

"Thrilled (for the McQuaid guys). (Winning a sectional title) is not easy to do." - Fuller.

What's next for McQuaid

The regional round of the state tournament, where McQuaid will face Orchard Park, the Section VI or Buffalo section champion, 11 a.m. June 4 at Monroe Community College.

JAMESJ@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: McQuaid gets back on top of Section V with Class AA championship