Queens Vocational goes to title game

When Robert Schimenz took over the Queens Vocational Tech baseball program 10 years ago, all he wanted was to build a respectable program. Over the last decade, the Tigers have developed into a PSAL ‘B’ power. Two of the last three years they won Queens North-B, but never had they enjoyed much playoff success
That all changed this May. Ninth-seeded Queens Vocational not only got past the second round - their previous high water mark - but also shocked top-seeded Gregorio Luperon in the quarterfinals behind senior ace Diomede Gonzalez’s complete-game, nine-strikeout gem. And the Cinderella Tigers continued their shocking run in the semis, rallying past No. 4 Taft with a three-run sixth inning for a thrilling 11-9 win Tuesday afternoon at Old Boys Field in Brooklyn.
“It feels good because we’re not crying and saying this season is over,” said Schimenz, whose club will be gunning for the PSAL ‘B’ crown Friday evening against No. 7 Jane Addams at KeySpan Park in Coney Island. “I have a lot of pride in these kids. When we got that final out, it was like, wow, I never thought about going to a championship game.”
Gonzalez got the save, retiring all six hitters he faced in relief of Rene Cruz, and started the sixth-inning uprising with a run-scoring double. Catcher Daniel Medina plated Gonzalez with another double and scored the go-ahead run on Juan Dela Cruz’s fielder’s choice.

- Zachary Braziller