66 THE COURIER SUN • JUNE 5, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com sports PSAL B BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Swimming with the Dolphins Channel View HS Dolphins baseball team advances to PSAL B championship game in Yankee Stadium BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com @liamlaguerre After years of disappointment for the Channel View High School baseball team, players are now confi dent that “no one can swim with the Dolphins.” Despite three previous winning seasons, including one tied for the conference title, the Rockaway team was a one-and-done squad in the playoffs each year. And even though they fi nished fi rst in the Queens B South conference this season (14-2 PSAL), they faced doubts of their chances in the postseason. The Dolphins knew they would sink, not swim, in the playoffs this year again if they didn’t step up. “Other teams, rivals, even the school doubted us at fi rst,” senior infi elder Sergio Galdamez said. “They said we wouldn’t past the fi rst round. But look at us now — we’re in the championship.” Channel View proved the critics wrong with four consecutive wins in the postseason, including three against higher-ranking teams, to reach the PSAL Division B championship game at Yankee Stadium on June 12 against fi ve-seeded Bronx High School of Science. The Dolphins are like a fi sh out of water as they make their way to uncharted territory, but players believe they’ll be ready for the fi nal game. “I don’t want to think about being nervous,” said senior Kely Aponte, the team’s ace who will pitch in the championship game. “I want to stay confi dent to go out there and do what I do.” The championship game is also a déjà vu moment for Channel View head coach John Mangieri, who won a city title at Yankee Stadium when he played for Archbishop Molloy 20 years ago. Mangieri said he’s excited to see his players living a dream that he has been through before. “Four years ago this program had kids with no gloves, kids showed up in jeans,” Mangieri said. “These kids will have lifelong memories, and win or lose they are champions in my book.” Channel View High School Dolphins baseball team is practicing hard to beat the odds in their championship game at Yankee Stadium. Photo courtesy John Mangieri THE COURIER/Photos by Liam La Guerre
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