McQuaid baseball prepares for State Tournament

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) – The McQuaid Knights baseball team are still the defending NYSPHSAA Class AA state champions, raising the banner in 2019.

The past two state tournaments were called off due to COVID-19, so despite that last championship coming three years ago, the program is still on top of its game.

"The underclassmen have done excellent due to gelling with with the seniors, but senior leadership is everything," said head coach Tony Fuller.

Of course, seniors on this years team were freshmen when McQuaid went on to win the state tournament in 2019.

"It’s a testament to these guys that they did everything to put it together and we’re excited to get back to Binghamton," said Fuller.

The Knights will play the Massapequa Chiefs in the state semifinals at Binghamton University. McQuaid’s been on a tear to get to this point, taking down Orchard Park, 13-1 on Saturday, part of the 81 runs they’ve scored over the past 10 games.

But Saturday will present a new challenge, against a Massapequa school located nowhere near McQuaid or any of its Section V opponents.

"Baseball’s definitely the toughes, not a lot of videos of games," said Fuller. "We know they’re going to be strong just like every team there. Focus on us and do what we do well and the rest will take care of itself."

First pitch for the semifinals game is a 4 p.m. on June 10 with the winner heading to the championship on June 11 at 10 a.m. to play either Fayetteville-Manlius or Pine Bush.