Poland's season concludes vs Scio/Friendship Friday in magical run to Class D state semifinals

All season long, Poland’s offense lifted it to victories, especially in the playoffs.

Three weeks ago, the Tornadoes entered the Section III postseason as a seven seed but embarked on five straight wins behind timely hitting and pitching.

However, the tornado warning that’s been in effect across Central New York for weeks didn’t extend to Long Island Friday.

The Scio/Friendship Golden Eagles from Section V ended Poland’s season Friday afternoon in a 6-0 shutout defeat at Moriches Athletic Complex in the NYSPHSAA Class D State Semifinals.

“We took some time to adjust to the speed. We hadn’t seen speed like that all season, Poland coach Erin Meeker said. “They eventually started to settle in, but it was too little, too late.”

Ross excels at the plate

S/F junior Nevaeh Ross caught the Tornadoes attention before the game. The Section V Class D2 Player of the Year tossed a no hitter in the Golden Eagles 3-0 Class D Far West Regional Final win over Section VI’s Westfield.

She lived up to the star billing.

At the plate, she began the game with a leadoff double in the first. She crossed home when her sister, Morghyn, reached on an infield error. A sacrifice fly from Kiara Grover pushed it to 2-0 before the bell ended for the first inning.

Ross tallied an RBI single in the second, and the Tornadoes saw enough. Poland intentionally walked the junior in next two at-bats, but that proved not enough.

Poland’s scored first in each of its postseason games, so the Golden Eagles first inning rampage brought a new challenge.

“The girls had to regroup, try to keep the runs to a minimum and hope to get back to work at the plate,” Meeker said.

The Golden Eagles broke the ballgame open further in the fourth. An RBI groundout from Avery Lamberson drove Logan Roberts and Ross still found a way to bite the Tornadoes.

She reached second after the intentional walk and stole third. The throw was out of reach, and Ross strode home.

S/F tacked on another run for good measure.

Ross sweeps up Tornadoes at the plate

On the mound, Ross made a fool out of a Poland lineup that averaged 9.8 runs per game in the sectionals and regionals.

She maintained a no-hitter through the fourth, when senior Sarah Zuchowski broke it up. Next batter, Logan Cookinham, got hit by a pitch. Ross was able to grab the third out, though.

The Tornadoes only registered one more hit the last three innings as Ross concluded with a complete game, two-hit shutout.

What's Next?

While the loss stings for the Poland program, the Tornadoes still reached unchartered territory this campaign with their first Section III title and state final four appearance since 1991.

“We started the season with a goal of, we’ve gotten to the section final twice, it’s time to finish it,” Meeker said. “We wanted to bring it home, and they exceeded that, making it through regionals.”

As for Poland’s five seniors – Zuchowski, Cookinham, Shelbi Hagues, Morgan Weigand and Morgan Potter – Meeker proclaimed she’ll miss their leadership as much as their physical gifts.

“They were a huge part of this team the past three years, and we’re definitely going to miss them,” she said.

Scio/Friendship receives its own chance at revenge Saturday when it faces Section IV’s Deposit-Hancock. The Eagles defeated Section II’s Salem 4-1 Saturday.

They also beat S/F last season in the Class D Semifinals on their way to a state title.

Noah Ram is the sports reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Noah Ram at nram@gannett.com.