by Vinny Messana
Being the No. 7 seed entering the postseason? No problem.
Not having a two-time All-State pitcher available in the postseason? No problem.
Facing an undefeated Queensbury team in the NYS title game? Psh.
The Wantagh Warriors defeated Williamsville East to capture their first Class A NYS title since 1998.
Starting pitcher Bobby Hegarty, who fired a one-hitter against Mount Sinai to capture the Long Island Championship went the distance, although he did struggle in the early going putting the Warriors in a 5-1 hole.
They clawed back with a three-spot in the fourth inning and tied the ballgame in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Fontana that scored Jimmy Joyce.
The game was tied going to the ninth inning when Joyce smacked the go-ahead home run to left field that put them three outs away from the title.
Hegarty did his job–after walking the leadoff batter in the ninth to cap off the dream season for the Warriors.
The Warriors finished the season at 25-5, including winning 10 of their final 11 ballgames.
They received contributions from all over–namely the remarkable season of Jimmy Joyce, who won nine ballgames and Bobby Hegarty, who had eight including the two biggest ones.
