A Season of Upsets and Near Misses
The 2026 high school baseball season wrapped up without a Section 1 team hoisting a state title, but the slate of results was far from ordinary. Several programs mounted deep playoff runs, delivering close contests and unexpected upsets that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Iona Prep entered the semifinals with a 29‑5 record, ultimately capturing the Intersectional crown by edging rival Stepinac. Their journey was highlighted by a decisive victory over Stepinac in the Catholic league playoffs, a series that split two games but underscored the team’s resilience.
Mamaroneck, finishing the regular season at 16‑9, claimed the Section 1 AAA championship with a 2‑0 shutout of Ketcham. The Tigers’ pitcher limited the opponent to a single run, and the offense capitalized on early chances to secure the title.
Ketcham, despite a 20‑5 record, fell short in the championship game, a 2‑0 loss that underscored the fine margins of high‑stakes baseball. The team’s strong season nonetheless positioned them among the league’s elite.
Standout Performances Across the Board
Rye’s 19‑8 squad rallied from a deficit to win the Section 1 Class AA championship over Mahopac, a come‑from‑behind effort that capped a season of steady improvement. Mahopac, at 19‑7, saw their campaign end in that title game, but their consistency kept them in the conversation for top rankings.
Other notable performances included Tappan Zee’s 21‑2 run that ended in a 3‑0 semifinal loss to Pearl River, and Byram Hills, which captured the Class A title in a marathon 16‑inning victory over Pleasantville. Putnam Valley’s 18‑8 season concluded with a regional final defeat to Chester, while Tuckahoe, the sole Section 1 champion to reach the state final four, finished at 14‑13.