Local coaches predict the outcome of the Section 1 finals starting this weekend. They counted us out last year and we became the Cinderella story making it all they way to the Section 1 Finals!
Who: No. 7 Tappan Zee (15-6) vs. No. 8 Hen Hud (16-6)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Last title: Tappan Zee (2013); Hen Hud (2007)
Previous finals appearance: Tappan Zee (2021); Hen Hud (2010)
Impact players for Tappan Zee: #2 Keira Meyers, So., P; #10 Alyssa Chiappa, 8th, 3B; #14 Eden Blanker, Sr., C; #20 Brianna Santilli, Sr., SS
A coach's take on the case for Tappan Zee: "Tappan Zee wins with (Keira) Meyers, (Eden) Blanker and (Brianna) Santilli. Come playoff time, your stars have to come through, but obviously pitching and defense is important. Blanker and Santilli are two of the better hitters left in the tournament, in any classification, and Meyers can rack up 10-plus strikeouts and have the defense play well behind them. At some point, Blanker and Santilli are going to have a say with their bats. If runners get on base in front of them, Hen Hu is going to have to find a way to get both of them out without letting them knock in three or four runs."
Coach's prediction: Hen Hud over Tappan Zee.
"I'll even call it, Hen Hud, 2-1. Their pitching and defense has carried them this far, and, in my opinion, they've had the tougher playoff road to get to the finals. They've worked their way into a spot where no situation is going to be too big for them. It's going to be a tight game, but their overall experience right now in the playoffs will come through. If Blanker or Santilli get going, it could very well be a 6-1 game, but I'm going with the Sailors' pitching and defense."
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