Wantagh repeat bid ends in state finals

Wantagh fell just short of a repeat state baseball crown after a memorable season that carried over into June for second straight year.

Vestal edged Wantagh 2-0 in the Class A state championship game last Saturday in Binghamton bringing a close to a 2017 campaign that saw the Warriors capture Nassau County and Long Island titles for a second straight spring.  Despite not ending with a victory, head coach Keith Sachs was proud of how his team stayed focused from day one back in March on returning upstate after capturing the program’s first state championship since 1998 a year ago.

“They worked hard and took nothing for granted,” Sachs said. “They did everything right from the beginning.”

Wantagh (23-6) advanced to the state title game with a 5-1 semifinal win against Pittsford Sutherland paced by senior catcher Trevor Fagan’s 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Starting pitcher Anthony Fontana tossed a four-hitter through five innings before Brendan Haas recorded the final six outs in rematch of the 2010 state final won by Pittsford Sutherland. Senior third baseman Jimmy Joyce also stepped up large in the field tossing out a runner breaking for home in the fifth inning that thwarted a Pittsford Sutherland rally.

“It was a great team win against a team that beat us in the state finals in 2010,” Sachs said. “It was a great team effort.”

Following Friday’s win at Union-Endicott High School, Wantagh had a chance to play in a professional venue Saturday at NYSEG Stadium, home of the Binghamton Mets, in its bid for a repeat state title against Vestal. Wantagh’s bats were held in check by Vestal pitcher Dom Dando, who tossed a three-hitter. Haas matched Dando on the mound before Vestal broke through for single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

“We ran into a good pitcher,” Sachs said. “He got better as the game went on.”

Last weekend brought a close to the Wantagh careers of an accomplished senior class that included starters Joyce, Fagan, Haas, John Conroy, Charlie Interrante, Steve Forman and Vinny DeMaio. Sachs said the seniors and rest of team will bring home memories from this weekend that last a lifetime, especially a barbeque held after Friday’s win that provided a unique team bonding opportunity.

“The kids said it was the best night of their lives,” said Sachs of Friday evening’s celebratory festivities. “The weekend was amazing.”

Sachs said his longtime assistant coach Mike Ninivaggi deserves praise for his hard work at practices and games during Wantagh’s march to the state title game. Ninivaggi has been with the program since 2000 and helped guide the Warriors to three state finals appearances.

“He is my right hand man,” Sachs said of Ninivaggi. “We do this together.”