The Massapequa baseball team secured a 5-3 victory over Monroe-Woodbury in the state Class AAA semifinals, a win that not only avenges last year’s semifinal loss but also sets the stage for a championship showdown.
Early Offensive Surge
The game began with a burst of offense as the team plated three runs in the top of the first inning. RBI doubles from Chris Sultana and Joe Genova ignited the rally, putting immediate pressure on Monroe-Woodbury.
Pitching and Defense
Righthander Jack Mulligan earned the win, delivering four innings of two-run ball while striking out four batters. Later, James Alonso entered in the sixth and locked down a four-out save, preserving the lead.
Mid‑Game Drama
Monroe-Woodbury’s Jeremy Lai answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The momentum shifted again when Genova delivered an RBI single in the fifth, extending the lead to 4-2.
Caiden Erker capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly that brought Ryan Moore home, making it 5-2. The defense then sealed the game when Erker caught a fly ball and threw out Lai at third, completing a double play that ended the opposition’s rally.
Looking Ahead to the Championship
With the semifinal behind them, Massapequa prepares to face Liverpool at Binghamton University on Saturday at 4 p.m. The championship game represents a chance to capture the program’s first state title since 2018, a milestone that has been the team’s driving ambition all season.