CHESTER – When the Chester baseball team captured the Class B state baseball championship on Saturday in Binghamton, they weren’t the only ones celebrating.
Back home, the tight-knit community was following every pitch, and gave the champs a hero’s welcome when they returned to town at about 5 p.m. Chester received an escort from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Town and Village of Chester Police departments, and the Chester Fire Department.
Meanwhile, residents lined the streets and their front lawns to congratulate the champs.
“It really shows everyone how this community comes together to celebrate the people that call this town home,” Chester baseball coach Mike Doucette said. “It felt like everyone wanted to celebrate and share this moment. Traffic was literally stopped, and it really was something to see.”
Chester (19-5) beat Medina 3-0 in the Class B state championship at Binghamton University behind a four-hitter by junior left-hander Aidan Francisco. According to Doucette, this is the first state championship in any sport in Chester’s history.
The team received congratulatory messages on social media from, among others, Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdrige, Councilman Bob Courtenay, and District Attorney David Hoovler.
“With outstanding pitching, clutch performances, and unwavering determination, this team made history,” Hoovler said. “This remarkable accomplishment is a source of pride for the entire Chester community and for Orange County.”
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