Generals’ Historic Season Ends in Region III Playoffs

The Herkimer Generals' remarkable 2025 baseball season came to a close on Friday at Falcon Park, as they fell in both the Region III semifinal and the ensuing elimination game. Herkimer, which entered the day with a 34–4 record and riding a 23-game win streak, ended the season at 34–6 overall.

Region III Semifinal: SUNY Niagara 10, Herkimer 0

Facing top-seeded and undefeated SUNY Niagara in the semifinal, Herkimer struggled to find offense and fell 10–0 in a run-rule shortened six-inning contest.

SUNY Niagara got on the board early with a run in the first and opened things up with a three-run second. The big blow came in the fifth when Cooper Rossano launched a three-run homer to cap a five-run frame for the Thunderwolves.

Herkimer managed just two hits—singles from Jaden Madrid and Dylan Wolfson—as Niagara's ace, Matt Barr, dominated on the mound. Barr tossed six shutout innings, striking out nine and walking just two.

Evan Staroba took the loss for Herkimer, surrendering nine runs (six earned) across 4.1 innings. David Denten pitched the final 1.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits.

Despite the loss, the Generals' season continued in the elimination round later that evening.

Elimination Game: Finger Lakes 4, Herkimer 1

In a gritty elimination matchup against Finger Lakes Community College, Herkimer took an early 1–0 lead in the third inning when Jacob Severson grounded out to score Jaden Madrid.

But FLCC responded with two runs in the fifth on a clutch single by Jeffrey Broadnax, and never looked back. A pair of insurance runs in the seventh pushed the lead to 4–1.

FLCC starter Nathan Power was outstanding, going the distance and holding Herkimer to just three hits while striking out six. Despite solid defense and strong efforts on the mound, the Generals couldn't manufacture the offense they needed to extend their postseason.

Jace VanValkenburg took the loss after allowing four runs over 5.2 innings, while Ryan Cook closed the game with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. Madrid, Shiryu Sato, and Marvin Hill recorded Herkimer's only hits of the game.

Season Reflection

While the playoffs didn't end the way the Generals had hoped, the 2025 campaign was another exceptional chapter in Herkimer's proud baseball tradition. Under head coach Lane Potter, who reached his 100th career win earlier in the postseason, the team finished with a 34–6 record, won 21 consecutive games at one point, and watched Marvin Hill set a new single-season RBI record with 67.

With a core of talented returners and another strong recruiting class expected, the future remains bright for the Generals.