Some traditions are hard to break.
Take, for example, today's Tri-Valley League baseball championship game, which will feature Edmeston and Cherry Valley-Springfield for the fifth straight season.
The two will meet for league supremacy at 5 p.m. today at Oneonta State's Red Dragon Field.
"They have a good program year after year," said CV-S coach Ed Dubben, whose 9-7 team has overcome the loss of eight players from its 2007 squad _ seven to graduation and one to eligibility issues _ to reach the T-V crossover. "We try and bring our kids along so we have a good program, too."
The Patriots finished 6-3 in league play, advancing on the final day of the regular season with an 8-4 victory at Worcester that clinched their sixth East Division title in seven years.
Edmeston (16-2, 8-0) appears to be the favorite this year, even though the Patriots are the two-time defending champions. The Panthers thumped CV-S, 16-2, on May 15, a game that included 10 errors by the Patriots and a six-hitter from winning pitcher Jordan Williams.
"They had trouble fielding the ball when we played them and I don't know if that's normal," Edmeston coach Mike Clark said. "I think we'll hit the ball and score runs. It's a matter of us playing defense."
Senior left-hander Matt Laymon (8-0, 1.45 ERA) will pitch for the Panthers. Laymon has struck out 74 and walked 22 in 38 2/3 innings this season. If needed, Clark can also go to junior righty Williams (5-1, 2.88), who has struck out 58 and walked 18 in 38 innings.
"We've hit lefties pretty well this year," CV-S coach Ed Dubben said. "Six of our games were against lefties. ... He's a good pitcher, you have to give him that. If we get to him early, we'll be all right. We'll have to see what happens. We have to get the bat on the ball, but I still say it comes down to us making plays. That's been our undoing in our losses this year."
Junior catcher Spencer Staley leads off the CV-S lineup with a .449 batting average, 27 runs and 21 stolen bases. Staley, who has struck out seven times in 50 at-bats, is almost a sure bet to reach base. In addition to his high average, he has walked 12 times and been hit by seven pitches.
Senior third baseman Nate Herringshaw is hitting .411 with four doubles, 13 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Junior David Adams is batting .351 with four doubles, three triples and 17 RBIs. He also has 12 stolen bases and has scored 20 runs.
"We just want to focus on mistakes we've made this year," Clark said. "We want to focus on all aspects. We want to field cleanly and have good at-bats. I think if we do everything, then we'll be happy with the outcome at the end."
The Panthers will face Adams (4-2), who has struck out 43 and walked 20 in 38 innings. Junior Adam Halay (5-2), who has struck out 63 and walked 21 in 40 innings, is also available.
Laymon, who doubles as a first baseman, is batting .446 and has a slugging percentage of 1.035. Of his 25 hits this season, six are doubles, six are triples and five have gone for home runs. He also has 27 RBIs.
"He's the go-to guy," Clark said. "He's the guy we rely on. He's done it both ways this year. ... He's vocal and leads by example. I've seen a lot of maturing from him."
Junior catcher Alex Stevens leads the team with a .471 average and has 32 hits and 22 RBIs. Senior right fielder Cody Calderon is batting .408, and leadoff hitter Nick Davoulas, a junior shortstop, is at .371. Additionally, junior third baseman Jake Baulch is hitting .396.
Williams, who also plays center field, is at .259 this season. Since he started wearing contact lenses in a May 9 victory over Morris, Williams is 8-for-11 at the plate.
"If we field the ball well, I think we'll be there with them," Dubben said. "They can hit, we can hit. It will come down to who makes the fewest errors. ... We don't mind being in the underdog role. We've been there every year. We're a good team, but have to get rid of the error bug."
The last six T-V crossovers have featured Edmeston, CV-S or both. The Patriots beat Edmeston, 2-0 and 9-7, the last two seasons, respectively. Edmeston followed a 3-0 win over CV-S in 2004 with a 4-0 victory over the Patriots in 2005.
In 2003, Edmeston topped Schenevus, 16-4. Schenevus beat CV-S, 13-3, the previous year.
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P.J. Harmer can be reached at pharmer@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 229.
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