Here is Phil Terrigno’s recap of Haldane’s 7-0 win over Tri-Valley in today’s Class C regional final:
My impression of the Haldane Blue Devils was sealed as soon as the final out was recorded in their 7-0 victory over Section 9’s Tri-Valley. Simply put, they looked like a team that knew they belonged in the regional playoffs.
I observed the team celebrate with enthusiasm, but not unbridled and out of control enthusiasm. They congratulated each other and then immediately kneeled in a group in shallow center field after shaking hands with their opponents.
Head Coach Tom Virgadamo along with assistants Joe and Anthony (the three are brothers, for the record) addressed the team before the group got up and packed up in the dugout.
Dan Kinnaird, the senior starter that had just held Tri-Vally scoreless through 6 innings, walked directly toward the crowd of media waiting patiently in front of Haldane’s dugout after group meeting.
When asked if the recent poor weather, including a cancellation on Monday and light drizzling before the game affected the Blue Devils preparation, explained that it didn’t.
“We try to control the things we know are coming,” Kinnaird said. “The weather isn’t one of them. You can control the weather. You just have to play ball and hope for the best.”
Kinnaird also shared that he will pitch for Dutchess County Community College next season.
Tom Virgadamo told me jokingly after the game that he had been keeping an eye on Pierson-Bridgehampton, the Blue Devils next opponent.
“I have an old alum of Haldane who played wth me in 2001,” Virgadamo said. “He lives on the island. At least, I got a good report. I didn’t want to look past [Tri-Valley] but I figured it couldn’t hurt.”
Haldane will face Section 11’s Pierson-Bridgehampton tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Manhattanville College.
Photo by Xavier Mascareñas/The Journal News