Foxes' Baseball Season Ends With Comeback Win By North Rockland

After advancing to the semifinals of the Class AA Section I playoffs, Fox Lane's eventful season came to an end yesterday with a 7-5 loss to the North Rockland Red Raiders at home, who rallied back from a deficit to take the game.

The Raiders were able to chip away at the Foxes' lead – who led by as much as three runs at two points in the game - through a series of strategic plays, primarily in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Foxes lead for much of the game over North Rockland, beginning with a run in the first inning scored by Jake McGrath from second base, helped by an RBI from Lee Francisco. They extended their lead, from 1-0 to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, when John Albanese hit through left field and got two RBI, bringing home Jesse Hunt and Tim Muller.

North Rockland got on the board at the top of the fifth, when the Red Raiders' Wardy Polanco got a hit to bring home Zach Howe and Jorge Cruz and make the score 3-2. They were on third and second base, respectively. Palanco's two RBI were made possible by Howe and Jorge stealing third and second base before his hit. However, the Foxes extended their lead to 5-2 at the bottom of the inning, when Lee Francisco hit a home run over left field, while bringing home Donny Castaldo and Jake McGrath, respectively. This would be the team's peak of the game, as momentum shifted to North Rockland thereafter.

The Red Raiders tied the game, 5-5, at the top of the seventh, when Danny Roman hit a home run over left field, and brought home Joe Rastelli and Polanco. Rastelli previously stole third base, while Polanco followed in moving up from first to second. The Foxes unsuccessfully attempted to retake the lead at the bottom, with Francisco and Hunt making it to second and first.

North Rockland made its decisive tie breaker at the top of the eighth. With bases loaded and with two outs, Polanco hit through left field, getting two RBI for players who were on second and third base. The score became 7-5, ultimately the margin of victory.

With the Foxes' season over, Coach Matt Hillis praised the work of his team.

"Our team battled every step of the way," he said. "You know, just like they have been for this entire season. I couldn't be more proud of them."

Reflecting on the come-from-behind win by North Rockland, Hillis felt that the teams played their best and did not want to give blame.

"You know, we're not going to point to any particular aspect of this game and say 'You know, this is what lost it for us,' because, you know, frankly North Rockland just hung in there and came back and beat us."

With the win, North Rockland advances to the section finals, and will play against Suffern tonight at 8 p.m., at Dutchess Stadium.