Elmira High School's baseball team, known as the Express, completed a 2‑0 series sweep of Corning with a 12‑2 victory that secured the Section 4 Class AAA championship. The win marks the third title for the program in the past four seasons and caps a 13‑game winning streak that has defined their dominant campaign.
First‑year head coach Justin Fuchs was doused with a bucket of water immediately after the final out, a vivid tribute to the energy that has fueled the team all season. Fuchs praised his squad's resilience, especially during the latter half of the year, and highlighted the collective work ethic that has become a hallmark of the club.
Pitching proved pivotal, with Logan DeMember delivering a one‑hitter that included 11 strikeouts, while Aedan Palmer matched the feat in the series opener with 10 strikeouts. Their performances anchored a staff that consistently limited opponents to single‑digit scores.
Offensively, Aiden Ranck went 3‑for‑4 and drove in two runs with a double, complementing Logan DeMember's three‑run single that sparked a five‑run second inning. Earlier in the season, Frankie D'Angelo's home run and three RBIs, along with Noah Cain's 2‑for‑2 effort, underscored the depth of the lineup.
Looking Ahead to Regionals
The Express will now travel to face either Liverpool or Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy in the regional semifinals, a matchup that promises another test of their tenacity. The venue for that contest has yet to be finalized, but the team remains focused on carrying forward the momentum that has defined their historic run.
A reminder of the program's recent challenges also lingers; last year Elmira fell 9‑1 to Roy C. Ketcham in a sub‑regional game. That loss appears to have galvanized the current group, turning setbacks into a catalyst for the remarkable resurgence that has now culminated in a championship.