It may not be an exaggeration to say Wednesday’s semifinal between Saratoga Central Catholic and Fonda-Fultonville in Glens Falls could decide the Section II, Class B baseball champion. It may not even be an exaggeration to say it could decide the state champion.
Saratoga Catholic entered with a 23-2 record and the state’s No. 1 ranking, while Fonda-Fultonville owned a 20-3 record. One of the Saints’ two losses came against the Braves in April, but one of Fonda’s three losses came against Saratoga Catholic earlier this month.
I think we’re ready, said Saratoga Catholic coach Phonsey Lambert. `The kids are excited. We know a lot about them, and they know a lot about us. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.`
The Saints possess one of the best one-two punches in the state with shortstop Vince Farfaglia and first baseman Neil Callahan. Farfaglia is batting .494 with nine doubles, four triples, six home runs, 19 stolen bases, 37 RBI and 40 runs scored, while Callahan is batting .482 with 12 doubles, five homers, 32 RBI and 25 runs scored.
Lambert said Callahan has helped Farfaglia, who became Section II’s all-time hits leader two weeks ago.
`Callahan is a great hitter behind Vince, but Vince has worked very hard on his own,` said Lambert.
The duo’s ability to alter the outcome of a game was on display in Saturday’s 8-1 quarterfinal victory over Schalmont at Geyser Park. Farfaglia belted a home run and two doubles, and Callahan drove in two runs with a double and a single.
Those numbers were going to be hard for Fonda to ignore.
`Fonda is going to focus on getting Farfaglia and Callahan out, so the other guys will have to step up,` said Lambert.
The winner of Wednesday’s semifinal will meet either Chatham or Hudson in Friday’s class B championship game at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy.“