Above — Royall’s Nick Murray trots behind Hillsboro’s Bronson Borchardt to score the second run for the Panthers in a 4–3 win over the Tigers in a regional final contest Thursday afternoon. Below — The Royall baseball team mobs Josh Kolodzinski after earning a walk-off walk against Hillsboro in a WIAA Division 4 regional final on May 31.
Royall, which had a first-round bye, defeated Weston 8–5 in a regional semifinal. The Panthers tackled Hillsboro for a 4–3 win, and then faced Independence/Gilmanton in a sectional semifinal. The Indees held on for a 2–1 win in eight innings during the sectional semifinal. Ithaca defeated Riverdale 5–1, and then knocked off Independence/Gilmanton 7–4 to return to state for the fourth time in five years. Royall head coach Joe Vitcenda earned his 600th victory after the win against Hillsboro. (Nate Beier photos | gx3media.smugmug.com)