Thursday, July 10, 2025
In a storybook finish to a memorable season, Babylon baseball captured the New York State Class B championship with a 2-0 victory over Putnam Valley Saturday afternoon in Binghamtom, led by a dominant performance from junior pitcher Owen Killeen.
With eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings while allowing just four hits, Killeen silenced the Putnam Valley bats and helped deliver the Panthers its first state title since 2007.
"It’s been a while since I pitched so I was really nervous,” Killeen said. “But after that first inning, I calmed down. To be able to do this for the seniors, the guys I’ve grown up with, means everything.”
Babylon (22-3) wasted no time taking control as the Panthers’ two senior captains got the party started. After leadoff hitter John Harkins set the tone in the top of the first with a single, he then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Aidan Kistner, who has served as the designated hitter all season after getting Tommy John surgery last November, laced an RBI double to give Babylon an early 1-0 lead.
“Getting an early run was huge, especially in this weather,” coach Mike Birnbaum said. “John’s been setting the tone for us all year, and Aidan came through again. He’s been unbelievable.”
The Panthers added an insurance run in the fifth, again initiated by Harkins, who roped a leadoff double. He advanced to third on a groundout, then scored on fellow senior Joe Cavallo’s perfectly executed two-out bunt single.
“That play was all Joe,” Birnbaum said. “He saw where the third baseman was playing and laid it down perfectly. It was the play of the game.”
While the offense did just enough, Babylon’s defense was a steady force throughout. Sophomore Jon Stricoff and senior Mike Bender made big contributions, and the entire team bought into their defensive identity, a hallmark of their practices all season long.
“They love going to work. We pride ourselves on defense, and it’s become our favorite part of practice,” Birnbaum said. “That’s championship baseball.”
The win marks just the second state championship in Babylon baseball history, with the first coming 18 years ago. Fittingly, the seniors on this year’s team were born that same year. Birnbaum, who was handed dirt from that 2007 title team by a former coach, saw this victory as a full-circle moment.
“This doesn’t come around often,” he said. “These guys played so hard until there were no more innings. A lot of tears on the field. It’s a testament to them.”
Harkins emphasized the emotional weight of the win. “There’s no better feeling. I couldn’t have pictured my last high school game any better,” he said. “Coach has done an incredible job at getting us better and putting us in a position to succeed.”
In the state semis Friday, the Panthers rallied from four runs down to beat Mechanicville, 5-4. Stricoff’s RBI single with one out in the top of the seventh brought home Brett Coffey with the winning run. Jake Ostertag pitched five innings of scoreless relief with five strikeouts.
As the dust settles on an unforgettable season, Birnbaum reminded his players to enjoy the moment. “I told them there’s no practice tomorrow,” he said with a smile. “Next year starts Monday. For the seniors, it’s on to bigger and better things but they earned this. They made history.”
