A championship night in the Hudson Valley
The Kingston‑Saugerties American Legion team captured its first state championship since the 2020 merger, edging Cottrell‑Warner Post No. 942 9‑6 in extra innings. The victory was sealed by a clutch performance from right‑hander Jaylen Mclean, who retired a bases‑loaded situation in the eighth inning and finished with 96 pitches over eight frames, allowing just five hits and two runs, one earned.
Manager Michael Koegel praised the squad’s depth, noting that all 15 players saw action during the tournament and that the team’s resilience shone through come‑from‑behind wins and walk‑off victories. The roster, drawn from Ulster, Dutchess and Greene counties, reflects a tight‑knit community that emphasizes teamwork, respect and family.
Road to the Mid‑Atlantic Regional
The champions will open the Mid‑Atlantic Regional Tournament on August 6 in Worcester, Massachusetts, where they will face state champions from New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Eight regional winners will advance to the 99th American Legion World Series in Shelby, North Carolina, a stage the team has not reached since 1988.
Pitching coach Tom Whitaker’s work with Mclean paid dividends, tightening control and boosting confidence on the mound. Catcher Jackson Huber, outfielder John McKenna and left‑handed Preston Provenzano each contributed key moments, including a diving catch by Kaden Deibert that helped preserve the lead in the championship game.
Looking ahead
With the regional tournament on the horizon, the players are already setting their sights on the ultimate prize. John McKenna, a left‑field prospect, plans to attend Dutchess Community College this fall, while the team’s pitching staff, lauded for its consistency, hopes to continue its upward trajectory. The community rallies behind a squad that, beyond the scoresheet, embodies the spirit of local baseball.