The team was rarely tested.

When Chapel Field Christian took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D semifinal at SUNY Broome Community College, the Wolfpack was put in an unfamiliar position.

Jake Marino’s team was unable to dig its way out.

The Lions scored multiple runs in each of the first three innings and Leam Powell threw a complete game with nine strikeouts as the Section IX champions beat C/S/P 8-1.

Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s Dylan Michael makes a catch in left field during Friday’s state semifinal game. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

“We’ve played some tougher teams. We put in the effort. You just don’t know,” Chapel Field head coach Sean Powell said. “We really put the bat on the ball and forced them to have to make decisions out there.”

Next up for Chapel Field is the championship game at 4 p.m. today at Binghamton University against Section IV champion Deposit-Hancock, which topped Section VII’s Crown Point 15-0 in Friday’s first semifinal.

“We have the arms. We have the ability to pitch and throw strikes,” Coach Powell said. “Just like tonight, guys are going to have to field their positions and make plays. … We should be in good shape.”

The Lions will be looking for their first state title since 2008 while Deposit-Hancock won in 2018.

The Wolfpack were hoping to be playing for their first title, but a poor start was too much to overcome.

“We didn’t come out and play to our potential,” Marino said. “It does hurt.”

C/S/P stranded two runners in the top half of the first before Chapel Field took the lead. Powell reached on a one-out single and went to second on a wild pitch before a walk. Then, with two outs, Logan Garvey hit an RBI single to right field. The Wolfpack’s throw to the plate got away from their catcher allowing Michael Bonagura to score the second run.

“Their catcher was firing it to second base so the thought of just trying to steal wasn’t at the forefront of my mind,” Coach Powell said. ” … We advanced a few runners with a passed ball, but the guys put in a lot of extra time this week in the cage. It really showed today.”

The Lions added on three more runs in the second inning. A leadoff single, fielder’s choice, hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases before Marino pulled starter Gabe Roth in favor of Trent Burchanowski on the mound. Powell then walked to force in a run before Bonagura hit a sacrifice fly. A two-out error plated Chapel Field’s fifth run.

“Gabe just didn’t have his best stuff today,” Marino said. “Trent came in and did OK, but our defense just didn’t back him up today.”

The Wolfpack scored their only run of the game in the top of the third inning. Austin White walked to open the inning and went to third when Roth reached on a one-out infield single with an error. After a walk loaded the bases, White scored on a wild pitch.

“Early on, they booted one,” Marino said. “Just putting pressure on teams can go a long way.”

The Lions put the game away with another three-run inning in the fourth. Noah Swart was hit by a pitch to open the inning and went to second on a groundout. Indecision on a dropped third strike allowed Andrew Hollo to reach first and Swart to take third.

“We just didn’t put the ball in play and play defense,” Marino said.

Another walk loaded the bases before Powell hit an RBI single. Powell then got caught off first base on the throw in from the outfield, but escaped a rundown as Hollo scored from third on the play. Bonagura provided the exclamation mark on the inning with an RBI double.

Kurtis Olson relieved Burchanowski for the final two innings and held the Lions scoreless, but all told C/S/P pitchers allowed six hits and four walks while hitting two batters. They combined to strike out eight.

The Wolfpack left runners on base in every inning, including one in each of the final three innings, but were 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position against Powell.

“We just couldn’t get that timely hit today,” Marino said. “That’s been us all year has been getting that timely hit with guys in scoring position.”

“He’s just a solid player. He’s got an IQ on the mound. He’s an all-around baseball player. He’s in control of whatever position he’s in and always looking to give that little extra,” Coach Powell said of his son, Leam, pitching with runners on base in every inning. “This has been a real test. Germantown was a test putting guys on. … He’s been in these positions before. He has a confidence on the mound that ‘I’m going to get the job done.'”

As Burchanowski lined out to second to end the game, senior starters Micah Willink, Olson and Ian Dunnewold saw their final out in a C/S/P uniform.

“They are excited for next year, but they hate to end it like that,” Marino said of his underclassmen. “They know we can be here again next year.”