The Duanesburg baseball team etched a memorable chapter in New York high school sports history on Saturday, securing its first ever state championship with a 9‑4 win over Fillmore in the Class D title game.
A sixth‑inning rally
The turning point arrived in the bottom of the sixth, when Duanesburg erupted for five runs, breaking a tight contest and pulling ahead. At the heart of the surge was Collin Lussier, who delivered a three‑run triple that sent the crowd into celebration.
Ayden Fall, who had been steady all afternoon, completed the game on the mound, limiting Fillmore to four hits and two earned runs. His performance kept the opposition at bay while the offense surged.
A journey through the Section 2 tournament
Duanesburg entered the championship as the second seed and had to navigate a grueling path. Earlier, the team edged top‑seeded Hartford in a marathon 11‑inning thriller, 6‑5, a victory that tested both stamina and resolve.
The win marks the sixth straight year that Section 2 has produced multiple champions, underscoring the competitive depth of the region. It also represents the fourth Class D title claimed by an area school since 2013, highlighting a sustained period of excellence.
The roster that delivered the triumph included not only Lussier and Fall but also Daniel Menzies, Logan Kapusta, Isaac Wilcox, Connor McCumiskey and veteran Jim Franco, each contributing to the team's collective effort.
Looking ahead
With the championship trophy now in hand, the Duanesburg program aims to build on this momentum, targeting future Section 2 titles and maintaining its presence on the state stage. The community celebrates a milestone that will be remembered for years to come.