With a walk-off hit in the eighth inning, the Kellenberg Varsity Baseball team clinched a 3-2 victory over Chaminade on May 27 to claim the NSCHSAA League Championship title in a ceremoniously grand fashion at Hofstra University.
In the bottom of the extra frame, sophomore Andrew Noe struck the clutch game-winning hit with two outs and the bases loaded. The lefty-batting Noe stepped to the plate and delivered a walk-off hit to right field. Firebird baseball alum along with the student section ran to the Hofstra infield to celebrate with the boys.
Mr. A’Hearn, who has been part of the KMHS Baseball coaching staff for more than thirty years, said, “These boys would not be denied. They came into this series expecting to win and they accomplished that goal. From when I was coaching them on the JV team to rooting for them on the Varsity level, that confidence has been in their DNA.”
Junior Chris Parisi pitched seven innings, only surrendering four hits and two runs, allowing the Firebirds to keep the Flyers at bay. Junior Evan Williams brought the Kellenberg defense to a close from the mound, pitching a 1-2-3 top of the eighth, holding the Flyers’ score stagnant.
Noe, hitting .429 in the series with 4 RBI, took home the Championship Series MVP award. Andrew also had a perfect fielding percentage at his second base position.
The team, led by Coach Miles and Coach Cioffi, went into the final game 1-1 in the series, having lost to Chaminade in game one, but bounced back in the second game, and will now play for a state title.
Coach Cioffi said, “We don’t know who we’re playing yet, but they’ll be ready, and they’ll play their best. They always do.”
Kellenberg will play for the State Championship this weekend at St. John’s University.
