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Bulldogs, Eagles set to add another chapter to playoff rivalry

OBSERVER File Photo: Brocton’s Jordan Krystofiak and the Bulldogs battle the North Collins Eagles at noon today at Diethrick Park in the Section VI Class D championship game.

The top-seeded North Collins Eagles and the No. 3 Brocton Bulldogs will clash at Diethrick Park in Jamestown today at noon for the Section VI Class D Championship game. The two teams have played in years past; however, they have not faced off this season.

En route to the championship game, Brocton defeated No. 6 Ellicottville, 7-1, and No. 2 Franklinville, 2-1. The Eagles had a bye the first round and downed Pine Valley on Thursday, 13-0, to get to the championship game.

The history between these two teams has been in the playoffs.

In the last three years, North Collins beat Brocton in the playoffs, with a miraculous come-from-behind victory in 2015 that had the Bulldogs up 7-1 in the seventh with two outs.

Despite the recent history, the 2017 season has new rosters and different expectations for both dugouts.

Brocton’s success this season’s wasn’t necessarily predicted when it came to losing a team of seniors last year.

“I thought this year would be my down year, but these kids have done nothing but come in and compete,” Brocton coach Robert Fetterick said. “They come in everyday and work hard and get better and better. A lot of them are sophomores, so the future looks very bright for Brocton.”

The Brocton youth stunned many in the Southern Tier as sophomore pitcher Ronald Brown led the Bulldogs past Westfield, who had a 55-game win streak in the CCAA West 2 league. The team of only two seniors finished its league play 8-2.

Coach Fetterick noted that the chemistry his athletes have goes well beyond the diamond and it only benefits them when it comes down to playing ball.

“These kids are a tight group. A lot of them are friends. They hang out outside of baseball,” Fetterick said. “That builds a lot of the team camaraderie and a lot of team bonding, and it shows on the field. We communicate very well out there and that is on these kids. I hold them accountable for them to be involved ballplayers and athletes and learn how to talk with each other.”

In the playoffs, Brocton has been nothing but focused. The Bulldogs know that their sole objective should be the three outs in the current inning and not what’s next.

“I think we are right where we need to be,” Fetterick said. “We are taking it one game at a time; that’s our motto that we had in these playoffs. We are not looking ahead. We are staying right where we are and just worried about North Collins.”

North Collins’ strength has been the opposite of Brocton. The Eagles are a senior-laden bunch with eight seniors on their roster. This led to the team’s 8-2 record and earning the top spot in Class D.

North Collins coach Paul Kellner hopes to see his players’ experience come to fruition this postseason.

“We hope — and that every coach does — that this is what we build them up for, this is what we groom them for,” Kellner said. “They come up for the big at bats and the big base on balls. Big time stuff for big seniors. We hope they cash in. They’ve been here before and we are ready to make that jump, we hope.”

The Eagles have no shortage of offense. North Collins’ semifinal win was led by the No. 3 hitter in the lineup, Brandon Zielinski, who drilled a two-run shot at the fenceless outfield in North Collins.

The game was blown open with a nine-run fourth inning, something the Eagles are accustomed to.

“We have always been a big-inning team,” Kellner said. “Historically, almost every game realistically that we have won, we have an inning that we scored four or more. I don’t know if that is going to be realistic tomorrow. We are going to play to get the lead and try to play defense. I think the team that gets the lead will get the confidence quickly.”

When it comes to first pitch today, the young Brocton Bulldogs will buckle down on the game at hand. Although, coach Fetterick knows there is more to the sport of baseball than excelling and perfection.

“I always tell my boys, ‘Go out and have fun.’ That’s it,” Fetterick said. “Baseball is a fun game to play and have fun doing it. Go out there and compete at a high level and have fun, smile and enjoy playing the game they love.”

For the North Collins’ dugout, its focus will be at the plate and to put runs on the board.

“Good at bats. I am not too worried about our pitching and our defense. Our players will hopefully make their plays that they are supposed to. I am worried about good at bats,” Kellner said. “I want them to foul off pitches that aren’t theirs to hit, take walks if necessary and drive pitches they are supposed to hit.”

Email: Akuczkowski@observertoday.com

Twitter: @Kuczkowski95

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