Valley Central’s unlikely comeback season came to an end Thursday, as Cornwall’s balanced attack and three-pitcher shutdown combined for a 9-0 semifinal victory that sent the Dragons to the sectional final at 22-0.

The Vikings, who rallied from a 3-8 start to reach the semifinals, never found their footing against a Cornwall squad that scored in the first inning and never looked back. Valley Central was held hitless for long stretches and managed just one baserunner of consequence, leaving coach Matthew Lennon to reflect on a season that exceeded expectations even if it ended in a shutout.

“I have never been more proud of a group of players that I’ve had the honor of coaching,” Lennon said. “For us to face that adversity and get the job done one day at a time — to make it into sections, let alone win a game and get to the semifinals — it’s one of the most proud moments in my coaching career.”

Senior Richie Roohan tripled on the first pitch he saw, junior Sean McGrail escaped a bases-loaded jam with back-to-back strikeouts, and Cornwall rolled past Valley Central 9-0 Thursday to remain unbeaten at 22-0 and advance to the sectional final.

Roohan’s first-inning triple to the outfield scored two runs and set the tone for a Dragons offense that never let up. He finished the afternoon with a double, a single and three RBIs.

“It felt great and brought up my confidence for the rest of the game,” Roohan said. “I was thinking if I do something big, I’m going to go crazy and get the dugout going.”

Valley Central (9-11) ends its season on an unlikely run. After a 3-8 start, the Vikings won six of their final nine games, including a 2-1 playoff victory over Roosevelt to reach the semifinals. Despite Thursday’s lopsided loss, coach Matthew Lennon said he could not be prouder of his group.

“For us to be at a point in the season, just about two or three weeks ago, where we were looking at an overall record of three and eight — I have never been more proud of a group of players that I’ve had the honor of coaching,” Lennon said. “It’s one of the most proud moments in my coaching career.”

Lennon, who coached many of these players on junior varsity before moving up to the varsity level, said he will lose eight seniors but is optimistic about the program’s future.