Baseball, softball, tennis, track and gold, Chris Brooks has every single game that was held over a beautiful weekend in his weekend reports from Friday and Saturday:
Saturday Roundup: Bilotta posts game-winning run in walk-off victory for Rebels over C-G; GV/Belfast’s Cater twirls 12K no-no in 16-0 road blank of J-T; Scio Tournament baseball, softball action
By CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
CUBA — After the Rebels of Cuba-Rushford came up empty during their time at last week’s tournament in Bolivar, the hope in their return to action on Saturday was to get back on the right side of the tracks and pick up where they left off from the beginning of the season.
The next task at hand was going to be no slouch — the Redskins of Canisteo-Greenwood. After a back-and-forth affair early on, the balance of power began to tilt solely towards one direction. Down the stretch, it would then shift to the other. With the game all tied at seven going into the last at-bats of the day for the Rebels, they would make sure the pendulum swung onto their side for good.
All it took was one wild pitch to allow the game to change hands, and for the Rebels, they capitalized on it with an advance on home from Preston Bilotta, who wound up scoring the team’s game-winning run on the play to record the season-series sweep of Canisteo-Greenwood on their home field, earning the 8-7 edge.
“Jacob Smith pitched a heck of a game today. He didn’t walk a single batter, and struck out 12. Our defense may have struggled today making some routine plays, which allowed them to come back and tie it in the seventh with some good hitting and baserunning. I was really glad our kids could bounce back and find the run in the seventh to pull this one out.” said Rebels coach Pat Wight.
The Redskins would become the first to take the lead ahead of Cuba-Rushford (7-5) through the first two innings and change, capitalizing on special teams with two runs on error in the first and baserunning to scratch across the third. The Rebels responded immediately following with the next seven runs in a row, beginning with a game-tying three-run second which was propelled by a two-run single from Jacob Smith.
The Rebels eventually overtook the lead with two more runs in the third before adding onto it with one more run in the next two innings, including Smith’s third RBI on a single in the fifth.
In the final two innings of play, Canisteo-Greenwood went on to turn up the heat, using baserunning once more to collect four unanswered runs to tie the game at seven. The deadlock would not stay secure for very long however, as Cuba-Rushford ended the game with Preston Bilotta, who led off the seventh with a single before working all the way around the bases and to home to plate the winning run on a wild pitch.
The hosts scored eight runs off nine hits, with Smith and Bilotta each scoring two hits. Jack Frank and Finn Ricketts each scored a hit, and RBI each to further the cause. As for Canisteo-Greenwood, Noah Warriner and Carson Lamphier both recorded two hits, with Warriner posting a double from within his tenure.
On the mound, Taige Stewart and Jacob Smith provided a pitcher’s duel across the first five innings of play. Smith would record 12 strikeouts while Stewart handed out 10 chairs and walked four for the Redskins, in their respective no-decisions.
Cuba-Rushford is back in action on Monday, as they prepare to host Bolivar-Richburg in a 5 p.m. first pitch.
Canisteo-Greenwood 210 002 2 – 7 10 4
Cuba-Rushford 032 110 1 – 8 9 5
C-G – Taige Stewart (10K, 4BB), Evan Sarvis (LP, 6) (2K, 3BB) and Noah Warriner.
C-R – Jacob Smith (12K), Braeden Wight (WP, 7) and Dean Frank, Sam Grover (2).
Genesee Valley/Belfast 16, Jasper-Troupsburg 0
TROUPSBURG — Matt Cater was quite simply unhittable for Genesee Valley/Belfast on Saturday. As they went over the road to visit Jasper-Troupsburg, he ensured the team’s victory in the most dominant of ways by holding the Wildcats without a single hit, striking out 12 and walking four while the offense fed off the momentum to score a 16-0 shutout win over the road.
“Matt was on today, he did a great job mixing pitches. The bats came alive with it too, and with everything working, the confidence is growing each game,” GV/Belfast coach Kevin Scott said. “This was a nice road win. Now we just have to keep the momentum going. I’m really proud of them for continuing to plug away and fight through the ups and downs so far this season. We’re at the point now where we have to get hot.”
Cater dueled alongside Jasper-Troupsburg’s James Ainsworth through a great deal of action, but was the supreme pitcher in keeping the Wildcats off the board across all seven innings behind the team’s no-hit performance. The momentum would carry over on offense with an electric 14-hit supply.
Of the hits, Genesee Valley/Belfast (5-6) saw five different hitters all record at least two hits, with Owen Heaney leading the charge with a perfect 3-for-3 outing with a two-run double and four runs scored. Cater and Thai Norasethaporn — the team’s winning battery, added in two hits themselves, driving in a pair and scoring twice. Kyle McCumiskey and Ryan Daciw each chipped in two more hits.
The offense kicked the tires on an early 3-0 lead after two scoreless innings started the day against the Wildcats. After another scoreless frame in the fourth, Genesee Valley/Belfast kept the foot down on the gas pedal and closed up shop for good with 13 straight runs across the last three innings of play, including a seven-run outburst in the top of the seventh to provide the exclamation point on a brilliant day.
Genesee Valley/Belfast will return to play on Tuesday, hosting Andover/Whitesville in the Jungle in Belmont at 5 p.m.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 003 033 7 – 16 14 2
Jasper-Troupsburg 000 000 0 – 0 0 7
GVB – Matt Cater (WP) (CG, 12K, 4BB) and Thai Norasethaporn.
J-T – James Ainsworth (LP) (10K, 5BB), Brynden Danielsen (6) (3K, BB) and Jared Ainsworth.
Stories continue after Chris Brooks tennis photos:
Scio Tournament: Hinsdale claims tourney crown over Fri/Scio, And/Whi splits
SCIO — All afternoon long, there was baseball and softball to be had in Scio on Saturday. Two tournament crowns were waiting to be decided, with one being determined by Andover/Whitesville, Hammondsport, Hinsdale and host Friendship/Scio on the diamond.
The opening round pitted Hammondsport against Hinsdale, where the Bobcats were able to take care of business to earn their ticket into the title game with a 12-2 win. Stats and a complete box score from this game were not made available to report upon publication.
As for the second first round battle, a dominant performance from Ethan Davenport on the mound along with a big seven-run inning helped propel Friendship/Scio to the title game, as they strolled past Andover/Whitesville with a 10-3 victory.
Both teams found their way onto the board in the first inning, with Friendship/Scio navigating towards a 3-1 lead. The defenses would then buckle down for the next three scoreless innings until the hosts in black and gold created an opening in the bottom of the fifth that allowed them to pull away for good, scoring seven runs to eclipse the 10-run mark, with the majority of the runs stemming off special teams on the bases.
Friendship/Scio accounted for just five hits at the plate, with Hunter Hill recording one and driving in a pair of runs. On defense, Ethan Davenport ruled the day with a complete game three-hit gem, striking out 13 and walking two.
Andover/Whitesville saw Brody Carlin fan six and walk two in his three inning start, while Jacob Wagner scored one of the team’s three hits.
Andover/Whitesville would then drop down into the Consolation round, where they would take aim at a potential split of the tournament by facing the Lakers of Hammondsport. They were challenged out of the gate, but through a mid-frame back-and-forth exchange, the team in purple and blue would see their way through to the end, as they squeezed their way towards a 14-8 triumph.
After a 1-0 Hammondsport lead through their first at-bats, Andover/Whitesville (4-5) responded with an RBI single from Jacob Wagner to help take a 2-1 lead. Andover/Whitesville added two more runs to branch their lead before the Lakers responded with a four-run fourth inning to take the advantage away temporarily.
But Andover/Whitesville would go on to finish up the game with 10 of the last 13 runs, including a six-run bottom of the fifth that helped them pull away and out of reach of Hammondsport to secure the win. Out of the eight total hits, Wagner led the bats with a 3-for-5 outing and two RBI. On the mound, the win belonged to Joe Fonte in relief, as he fanned two and walked four.
In the championship game, Hinsdale and Friendship/Scio were neck and neck early on in the opening sequences with a 3-3 tie. But the tone was ultimately set by the Bobcats, as they scored the last 12 runs of the game to come away as tournament champions with a 15-3 win.
While the offense and special teams kicked into gear for Hinsdale (5-6), Xander Pascucci held down the fort on the mound with a complete game performance, going all five innings while handing out nine chairs and walking two to keep Friendship/Scio at bay.
At the plate, Jake Elliott recorded a double — one of four hits the Bobcats would record.
For Friendship/Scio (4-9), Ethan Davenport provided two of the team’s three hits, while Landon Arnold fanned four and walked three during his tenure of relief on the hill.
Listed below are the next games for all three local participants:
Hinsdale – at Archbishop Walsh, Monday 5 p.m.
Friendship/Scio – vs Avoca/Prattsburgh (in FRI), Thursday 5 p.m.
Andover/Whitesville – at Alfred-Almond, Monday 5 p.m.
First Round
Andover/Whitesville 100 002 0 – 3 3 4
Friendship/Scio 300 070 X – 10 5 4
A/W – Brody Carlin (LP) (6K, 2BB), Jacob Wagner (4) (2K, 6BB), CJ Estep (6) and Colton Calladine.
F/S – Ethan Davenport (WP) (CG, 13K, 2BB) and Landon Arnold.
Consolation
Hammondsport 100 412 0 – 8 1 1
Andover/Whitesville 211 064 X – 14 8 4
HAM – Ethen Beers (K, BB), Silas Scofield (3) (4K, 3BB), Chris Hill (5) (K, 2BB) and Scofield, Beers (3).
A/W – CJ Estep (5K, BB), Joe Fonte (WP, 5) (2K, 4BB), Colton Calladine (7) (K, 2BB) and Calladine, Estep (7).
Championship
Hinsdale 210 75 – 15 4 3
Friendship/Scio 201 00 – 3 3 5
HIN – Xander Pascucci (WP) (CG, 9K) and Peyton Keller.
F/S – Cooper Greenman (LP) (2K, 5BB), Landon Arnold (3) (4K, 3BB) and Arnold, Greenman.
SOFTBALL
Scio Tournament: Fri/Scio lays claim to title, survive pitcher’s duel vs. GV/Belfast
SCIO — While the baseball tournament’s championship was being determined across the street on Saturday, over at the softball field, Hammondsport, Genesee Valley/Belfast, Andover/Whitesville and host Friendship/Scio all vied for mid-season glory.
Hammondsport and Genesee Valley/Belfast proceeded to do battle in the first of two opening round matchups, where both Danica Dresser and Ashley Burrows provided outstanding performances on the mound. In the midst of it, the offense for Genesee Valley/Belfast erupted after an early 1-0 Lady Lakers lead, as they scored 11 straight runs to pull away towards a championship game berth by an 11-6 decision.
Genesee Valley/Belfast took full advantage after falling behind right away to Hammondsport, as the offense came together to score 11 straight runs, three of them as a response to take the lead away from the Lady Lakers after the opening frame. After a scoreless trading of barbs in the second, the team in gray and black ran away for good with a seven-run capitalization in the bottom of the third.
In all, Genesee Valley/Belfast totaled six hits at the plate, with Abby Sullivan and Jenna Hill each laying down a pair of hits. On the mound, Ashley Burrows recorded nine strikeouts and two walks to pick up the complete game two-hit victory.
In the other first round battle, it saw Friendship/Scio take complete control of Andover/Whitesville from start to finish, led by the dominance of Nevaeh Ross from both on the mound and at the plate, as she recorded a one-hit gem while blasting a pair of home runs to propel them towards the final championship game vacancy with a 17-0 shutout.
Ross was outstanding on the mound for Friendship/Scio, holding Andover/Whitesville at a complete standstill while transitioning the dominant performance to the plate, where she would add onto the team’s 3-0 lead after the first inning with a solo homer in the bottom of the second to help kickstart an eight-run frame, along with a two-run homer from Kiara Grover.
Ross would then add another bomb in the bottom of the fourth to help ensure the team’s victory permanently, launching a three-run detonation in another massive six-run frame strung together by the offense. In all, Friendship/Scio recorded 17 runs off 17 total hits, with Ross’ 4-for-4 outing at the plate leading the way. Claire Calhoun, Morghyn Ross, Kadence Donohue and Emily Lamberson all had two hits to help further the team’s cause.
As for Andover/Whitesville, Gabby Terhune recorded a double. In the circle, Olivia Waters fanned six and walked three in her complete game.
Despite the first round defeat, Andover/Whitesville was able to get their hands on their very first win of the season, as their offense came alive right from the start to keep Hammondsport off balance, allowing them to stroll away towards a 21-6 triumph after five complete innings of play.
“We were able to finally get our hands on a win. It feels good to see the girls smile after a game. We’ve played some good games this season, and we finally had an outcome to celebrate.” said Andover/Whitesville coach Al Barber.
Andover/Whitesville (1-9) recorded 21 runs off 16 hits at the plate to get the offensive pistons churning, as they posted a 6-1 lead after the first two innings. Hammondsport ultimately cut their deficit down to a pair of runs later on in the third, but it was the closest they were able to reach Andover/Whitesville, as they went on to score 15 of the last 17 runs, including a 10-run bottom of the fifth to close out the afternoon.
Of the hits, Gabbi Hall, Aislinn Hamilton and Makaila Brewster all recorded a pair of hits. On the mound, the win belonged to Brewster, going the distance while holding the Lady Lakers to just two hits, fanning seven batters.
In the tournament’s championship game to decide it all, it was another true pitcher’s duel that formulated once again between Genesee Valley/Belfast and Friendship/Scio, as Hannah Southwick-Powers and Nevaeh Ross fought tooth and nail until the very end.
Through the defensive battle, scoring was going to be difficult. Both teams would go on and combine for five total hits at the plate. But in the end, two runs were garnered by Friendship/Scio, as they captured the tournament crown behind clutch baserunning and a massive blast in the bottom of the sixth to ensure their lead in a 2-0 shutout over Genesee Valley/Belfast.
Friendship/Scio (11-3) scored a run in each the first and sixth innings to gain the offensive upper hand on Genesee Valley/Belfast, starting quickly with some key baserunning from Nevaeh Ross, as she worked her way around the bases to scratch across the icebreaking score.
Through the next four scoreless innings, all of which would feature no more than four at-bats, as Southwick-Powers and Ross continued to deliver left and right haymakers from within their respective circles. When it came down to crunchtime, Friendship/Scio was able to add some massive insurance to keep their lead intact.
Providing it was Kadence Donohue, who blasted a massive RBI triple off Southwick-Powers to the outfield, scoring Katie Lamberson. The final inning was left on the shoulders of Ross in the circle, as she struck out the Genesee Valley/Belfast (6-6) side to complete a perfect afternoon.
Ross handed out 16 chairs and walked just one to propel the Friendship/Scio defense towards a second shutout of the afternoon. At the plate, Emily Lamberson added a single.
For Genesee Valley/Belfast, Southwick-Powers also provided an incredible outing in the circle, fanning 10 and walking four in her twirled two-hitter. On the attack, Southwick-Powers, along with Jenna Hill and Sondra Guilford, would each tally a hit.
The next games for all three local participants are listed below:
Friendship/Scio – vs Avoca/Prattsburgh (in FRI), Monday 5 p.m.
Genesee Valley/Belfast – at Arkport/Canaseraga, Monday 5 p.m.
Andover/Whitesville – at Alfred-Almond, Monday 5 p.m.
First Round
Hammondsport 100 004 0 – 5 2
Genesee Valley/Belfast 307 100 X – 11 6
HAM – Danica Dresser (LP) (CG, 9K, 10BB) and Sam Pratt.
GVB – Ashley Burrows (WP) (CG, 9K, 2BB) and Jenna Hill.
First Round
Andover/Whitesville 000 00 – 0 1 0
Friendship/Scio 380 6X – 17 17 0
A/W – Olivia Waters (LP) (CG, 6K, 3BB) and Gabbi Hall.
F/S – Nevaeh Ross (WP) (CG, 12K) and Morghyn Ross.
Consolation
Hammondsport 103 0 2 – 6 5 2
Andover/Whitesville 510 5(10) – 21 12 2
HAM – Nicole Pease (LP) (CG, 10BB) and Sam Pratt.
A/W – Makaila Brewster (WP) (CG, 7K) and Gabbi Hall.
Championship
Genesee Valley/Belfast 000 000 0 – 0 3 1
Friendship/Scio 100 001 X – 2 2 0
GVB – Hannah Southwick-Powers (LP) (CG, 10K, 4BB) and Jenna Hill.
F/S – Nevaeh Ross (WP) (CG, 16K, BB) and Morghyn Ross.
Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg 10, Cuba-Rushford 9
CUBA — A fast start for the Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford against Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg morphed into a back-and-forth gauntlet down the stretch Saturday morning.
Both teams would use special teams to drive in a massive bulk of the runs, but when it mattered most, the visitors had the final response.
Immediately after the Lady Rebels took the lead back in the sixth, the biggest answer came a short time later in the top of the seventh when Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg pushed all their chips to the center of the table in their final stand at the plate, scoring five go-ahead runs for a second time in the battle while the defense held the fort down in the bottom half of the frame to lock up a 10-9 comeback victory.
The start could not have gone any better for the Lady Rebels (7-5), as they posted over half of their runs in the first three innings of play. Amongst the scoring was a three-run bottom half of the first to break the ice, as they added two more pieces along the way to continue the cracking.
But it was Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg’s turn to provide cracking of their own, as they rebounded with the first of two five-inning frames in the top of the fourth to tie the game at five for the foreseeable future. That was until the bottom of the sixth when time became a premium to hold possession of, as the Lady Rebels dug deep and delivered with a go-ahead four run stand of offense to claim a 9-5 lead.
But the rally back was short lived, as the visitors responded with their biggest five-run outing of the day in the top of the seventh, capitalizing on a multitude of miscues by the Cuba-Rushford defense to take the one-run lead going forward, securing it for good in the bottom half to close out the afternoon.
Just five hits were collected at the plate for the Lady Rebels, with Taylor Searle recording two of them. On the mound, Sydney Howard struck out four and walked one in her five inning start.
On the other side, the win belonged to Sidney Drouin, who fanned five and walked seven across her complete game. On offense, she along with Amylia Stewart each had two hits.
Cuba-Rushford will hit the road Tuesday night for a 5 p.m. visit to Friendship, as they take on host Friendship/Scio.
CGJT 000 500 5 – 10 6 2
Cuba-Rushford 311 004 0 – 9 5 11
CGJT – Sidney Drouin (WP) (CG, 5K, 7BB) and Ashley Allen.
C-R – Sydney Howard (4K, BB), Jordyn Radomski (LP, 5) (2K) and Aubrey Williams.
Friday’s report after Chris Brooks photo gallery from the Fillmore win:
Friday Roundup: Wagner, Krzeminski aid 6th inning power surge for Eagles, record big 5-3 victory in Finals rematch with Avo/Pra; B-R softball captures home tourney crown over Olean
HOUGHTON — The site was Houghton University. The occasion? — A long-awaited rematch of last season’s Class D Finals. The consensus? — Another incredible battle to the finish.
Class D1’s top two teams in Avoca/Prattsburgh and Fillmore came together for their first and only bout of the regular season on Friday. Although the week-long stretch of abysmal weather had finally subsided in favor of a sunny, blue sky and cool temperatures, it was a showcase where both teams had to weather a perfect storm all throughout.
For the Eagles, they were coming off one of their biggest wins of the season back home at the Town Park in walk-off fashion over Arkport/Canaseraga last weekend. That was also the last time they took the field before the rain made its week-long presence known up until now.
Similar to last year’s clash for the Class D title, runs were difficult to come by, especially in a heated pitcher’s duel between both Jamel Crowder and Brent Zubikowski. With the Titans able to connect on an early lead, it was up to the Eagles to work their way from behind.
Fortunately enough, they had their ace in the hole — Aiden Wagner.
After Fillmore trimmed down their deficit to a single run off special teams in the fourth, the momentum carried over two innings later at perhaps the most crucial of times, as the senior laid down a perfectly-placed bunt with two runners on. With it, an attempt to catch the out at first was made, ultimately resulting in the throw going wide, allowing both runners to score to account for what would wind up standing as Wagner’s second straight game-winning sequence for the Eagles in what was a 5-3 edging.
“Two great hits against solid opponents like Arkport/Canaseraga, and now here against Avoca/Prattsburgh. It’s good for him, and it’s good for the team,” Eagles coach Bill Nolan said. “He hits the ball really well, and I’m thinking with two runners on and no out, he’s going to try and hit the ball. He puts down that bunt, and that changed the game completely. They’re going to feel a bit better and they know they’re a great team. It can go any way in the tournament, but tonight gives them the belief that they are capable of great things. It’s a great bonus and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Before the late stage fireworks came into full fruition for the Eagles (10-1), they would have to overcome an early 2-0 deficit to the hands of Avoca/Prattsburgh, who used the top of the second to their fullest of advantages behind the guidance of Dan Stilson, who rocked a two-run triple past James Hillman in right field and straight to the fence.
The Titans (11-3) looked to add more with a pair of runners on base in the third threatening. But the special teams play would come into enormous use with a pair of throwdowns, including one off a strikeout down to first base from Nolan Krzeminski to finish the inning-ending double play. Avoca/Prattsburgh in turn would hold Fillmore scoreless to halt the momentum boost despite the bases being loaded, garnering an out on a steal home and a strikeout from Crowder to Mitch Ward to close out the stand.
But it would not be long after until the Eagles found their way onto the board, as Zubikowski led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. He proceeded to use his legs to work his way around the bases after evading infield traffic in the midst of a rundown between first and second, scoring on a passed ball behind third base and into left field to cut the deficit in half.
In the sixth inning, the Eagles would perhaps put together a frame of shape-shifting proportions, as they used a strong 1-2-3 from Zubikowski on the mound to fuel what would be their final appearance at the plate, as Ward and Zubikowski both reached with nobody out. In the No. 5 spot in the lineup, Wagner would once again come through with a game-changing moment at the plate, laying a perfect bunt down the third baseline while using his speed to reach.
After a throw by Haden Abbott went wide of first base, allowing both Ward and Zubikowski to be signaled home to take their first lead of the game over the Titans.
“We get two on and Aiden Wagner comes up to hit, and he lays down a bunt. That absolutely floored me. I didn’t call that, Coach (Kaiden) Bowers called that and I was glad that he did,” said Nolan. “It was a beautiful bunt, and then the ball goes away from first base and we take the lead off of it. Nolan had another shot to add into center, and that really kept the wind blowing into our sails to break it open.”
To add even more damage, Fillmore went all the way back up to the top of their lineup with Nolan Krzeminski, who provided an insurance-ensuring detonation to center field with the bases loaded, driving in two on his laser beam to extend their lead to three.
Despite moving into the passenger’s seat for the first time in the battle, Avoca/Prattsburgh would provide one final stand to use against Fillmore, as they loaded up the bases behind Zubikowski with two outs. With a change on the mound to Ward to help seal the game, it took just four pitches to Crowder at the plate to leave every Titans runner on base to end a game that Nolan admits was quite nervous about coming in.
“If this kind of game doesn’t make you nervous one bit, there’s something wrong. That’s part of the fun,” he said. “It was close right from the start with that lead in the second. We came back and it was one of those games where runs were going to be hard to come by. It was a fun game, and we couldn’t have done it without Brent on the mound, he was outstanding. He was smart, he mixed his pitches. He gave us a great game.”
Zubikowski would record the win on the mound with five strikeouts and a walk across his start that elongated into the final at-bat in the seventh. As for the bats, the Eagles recorded seven hits in all, with Ward leading with a pair.
As for the Titans, Crowder and Dan Stilson each had two hits to fuel a six-hit effort at the plate. On the mound, Crowder fanned four and walked one across his five-inning start.
Fillmore is back on the field Thursday night with another colossal matchup, this time with Allegany County League implications, as they visit the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines in a 5 p.m. first pitch.
Avoca/Prattsburgh 020 000 1 – 3 6 1
Fillmore 000 104 X – 5 7 2
A/P – Jamel Crowder (4K, BB), Haden Abbott (LP, 6) (2K, 3BB) and Macoy Putnam.
FIL – Brent Zubikowski (WP) (5K, BB), Mitch Ward (7) and Nolan Krzeminski.
Friendship/Scio 8, Lima Christian 7 (F-8)
SCIO — Electricity filled the air in what was a thrilling return to battle for Friendship/Scio on Friday, where a strong start by one team and even stronger close by the other ultimately led to one more extra inning to decide it all.
The battle saw visiting Lima Christian fight their way back with five of the last six runs to enter extra innings tied at seven. But despite the comeback effort from the Saints, it was Friendship/Scio that had the last card to play, as they found a way to take care of the victory on their own terms in the bottom of the eighth, scoring the decisive run to lay claim on an 8-7 victory in walk-off fashion.
It would begin with a positive first at-bat sequence for Friendship/Scio (3-8) to build the game’s first lead, as they connected with three quick runs to pull ahead. The lead was trimmed down to as little as one by the Saints before they ultimately discovered their way ahead with a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth, scratching across three enormous runs.
It was a back and forth exchange of pleasantries in the middle frames to close out regulation, with Friendship/Scio scoring the game-tying run in the bottom of the sixth to force extra innings. After a scoreless seventh, the hosts in gold and black were able to maintain the momentum with the final run in the eighth to secure the walk-off win.
Friendship/Scio was aided with a 10-hit effort at the plate to help their cause, three of them from the bat of Ethan Davenport who launched his first career Varsity home run — a two-run blast, totaling three RBI to lead the way. Tyler Nickerson would chip in with two hits of his own.
Davenport would also collect the team’s victory from the mound in relief, fanning four Lima Christian batters. Getting the start was Nick Sortore, who was outstanding across his six innings of work, fanning eight and walking four.
Today, Friendship/Scio will host their annual mid-season tournament, where they get set to face Andover/Whitesville in a 10 a.m. first round battle.
Lima Christian 011 032 00 – 7 3 5
Friendship/Scio 301 201 01 – 8 10 3
LC – Curtis Welker (9K, 2BB), Nathan Herring (6) (5K, 2BB), Conner Welker (LP, 8) (BB) and Lemuel Fiegl.
F/S – Nick Sortore (8K, 4BB), Ethan Davenport (WP, 7) (4K) and Landon Arnold.
SOFTBALL
Bolivar-Richburg knocks off Addison, Olean to capture home tourney
RICHBURG — Being away through an extended period of time can make or break teams. The area’s last undefeated team celebrated one of their biggest nights in recent memory last Saturday with one of, if not, their biggest victory of the season against Class C power Bloomfield.
Nearly one week later, the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg marked their return to Stan Harris Field, this time with another gauntlet to navigate through — their own mid-season tournament.
Bolivar-Richburg foresaw a strong answer to the bell from Addison early on, as the Lady Knights posted all five of their runs in the first two innings of play to take a 5-2 lead at one point. But as time went on, the Lady Wolverines became stronger. As a result, they unleashed their power with a four-run frame to take the lead away for good, advancing into the title game later on that night with a 7-5 victory in the opening round.
Addison used key special teams play on the bases off a multitude of errors, along with an RBI double from Hadleigh Watson to fire up an early 2-0 lead. Bolivar-Richburg would respond with an equal frame of their own, led by RBIs from both Haley Mascho and Madigan Harris to tie the game.
Immediately following the first at-bats, the Lady Knights connected again by taking what was their largest lead they would have over the Lady Wolverines, posting a three-run stanza powered by back-to-back RBI doubles from Watson and Sadie Strauss.
But that would be all the scoring Addison scratched across the plate, as Bolivar-Richburg went on to score the contest’s final five runs, including a four-run fourth highlighted with a two-run blast from Malayna Ayers that gave them the 7-5 lead after a game-tying RBI double from Mascho stemmed from the previous at-bat.
In the last three innings, Mascho and the Lady Wolverines defense were able to hold the fort down, as she tossed five straight scoreless innings to keep the Lady Knights off the board for good. Mascho went the distance with a two strikeout complete game.
McKinlee Harris led the bats, going 3-for-4, while Mascho finished with her pair. Rylee Whiting added an RBI double of her own along the way.
The stage was now set for the Lady Wolverines to defend their home tournament crown against the Olean Lady Huskies to close out the evening. Like their first round battle, Bolivar-Richburg had to fight their way back after trailing early. In the hole by a 4-1 count, they would not let it faze them again by creating a third inning surge that propelled them back out in front for good, as they raced their way towards a second straight tournament crown with an 18-6 win — their 11th straight in a row after the night reached its conclusion.
After Olean took control of a three-run lead going into the bottom of the third, the Lady Wolverines (11-0) ignited a fire that continued to burn all game, beginning with an eight-run third inning once again fueled by another homer off the bat of Malayna Ayers, who finished a single shy of hitting for the cycle, as she added contributions in both of the team’s massive innings to maintain their lead.
Ayers would go on to win the tournament’s distinct honor of MVP at game’s end.
Haley Mascho and Allie ZIlker each added forceful contributions along the way to further distance the Lady Wolverines lead, recording a two-run single and two-run double respectively to complete what was now a 9-4 lead over Olean.
Scoring would resume on behalf of the Lady Huskies down the stretch, scoring their final two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to trim their deficit down to three. But the Lady Wolverines would slam the door shut in the bottom of the sixth, connecting on all facets with a nine-run outburst which was propelled to big heights by a bases-clearing double delivered by Mascho along with an RBI triple from Ayers to finish off the title-clinching win.
The Lady Wolverines posted 18 runs off 11 hits, with Ayers and Mascho each recording three hits. Zilker finished with two more to add into the fray. On the mound, Ayers struck out two and walked four to preserve the win. In addition to Ayers’ MVP nod, Mascho, McKinlee Harris and Madigan Harris were all given All-Tournament nods.
Bolivar-Richburg is back in action Tuesday night on the road with another battle under the lights, this time at Maple City Park, as they face the Hornell Lady Red Raiders in a 7 p.m. first pitch.
First Round
Addison 230 000 0 – 5 5 0
Bolivar-Richburg 201 400 X – 7 9 6
ADD – Makayla Miller (LP) (CG, K, 3BB) and Hadleigh Watson.
B-R – Haley Mascho (WP) (CG, 2K) and Madigan Harris.
Championship
Olean 211 011 0 – 6 9 0
Bolivar-Richburg 108 009 X – 18 11 1
OLE – Emma Edwards (LP) (CG, 2K, 8BB) and Anna Bates.
B-R – Malayna Ayers (WP) (CG, 2K, 4BB) and Madigan Harris.
Avoca/Prattsburgh 16, Fillmore 8
FILLMORE — The Lady Eagles of Fillmore put down the gas on a quick hop to their step Friday night, scoring four of the game’s first five runs to take the lead over visiting Avoca/Prattsburgh.
Down by three and with time becoming a luxury, the Lady Titans made the absolute most out of the clutch opportunity ahead, scoring 15 unanswered runs in the last three innings of play, pulling ahead of Fillmore beginning in the top of the fifth and never looking back from that point on, as they rolled towards a 16-8 road win.
Four unanswered runs were accounted for by the Lady Eagles (5-9) to start their battle after an early Avoca/Prattsburgh lead through the top half of the opening frame. The defenses would then buckle in to pitch two straight shutout frames on the field before the floodgates were broken through by the Lady Titans down the stretch.
From the fifth inning forward, the game was all under control of the visitors, as they totaled the next 15 runs at the plate, including a go-ahead, four-run frame marqueed by a two-run blast off the bat of Carmen Dailey. With a 5-4 lead in hand, the Lady Titans established more ground behind multiple walks and multiple RBI swings to set up an eight-run frame of insurance that helped them pull away and out of reach from Fillmore for good, despite one last push in the bottom of the seventh.
Both teams combined to record 26 hits at the plate, with Avoca/Prattsburgh claiming the 15-11 advantage in that department. Amongst the big bats were Lily Jorritsma and Jordan Swift, who recorded three hits each. Lily Hausauer and Emma Carlton each had two hits. Carlton also picked up Avoca/Prattsburgh’s win in the circle, fanning six Fillmore batters.
For the Lady Eagles, Mattie McCumiskey had the big bat, scoring a pair of two-run home runs at the beginning and end of the battle. Oakley Frazier and Grace Russell each recorded two hits to further the offense’s cause. In the circle, Mercedes Wolcott extended her start into the fifth inning, fanning one and walking five.
Fillmore is back on the field on Thursday over the road, visiting the undefeated Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg in a 5 p.m. first pitch.
Avoca/Prattsburgh 100 048 3 – 16 15 2
Fillmore 220 000 4 – 8 11 6
A/P – Emma Carlton (WP) (CG, 6K) and Jordan Swift.
FIL – Mercedes Wolcott (K, 5BB), Mylee Miller (LP, 5) (5BB) and Oakley Frazier.
Friendship/Scio 20, Lima Christian 0 (F-5)
LIMA — The Friendship/Scio ladies were on fire right from the start Friday night, as they build a bundle of momentum to carry over into their home tournament on Saturday with a dominant performance on the mound from Nevaeh Ross and an even more overpowering showing at the plate to electrify their 20-0 shutout at Lima Christian.
Friendship/Scio (9-3) accounted for at least three runs across four straight innings of offense, starting the game red hot with a 6-0 lead of the Lady Saints, led by three different RBI hits — a two-run single from Kiara Grover, an RBI double from Emily Lamberson and RBI single from Nora Thompson, to help set the stage.
The bats would continue heating up later on with a three-run frame in the second paced by back-to-back RBIs from Lamberson and Morghyn Ross, branching their lead to nine before scoring their final 11 runs in the last two frames, including a seven-run fourth to put a bow on the win.
In all, Friendship/Scio collected 20 runs off 12 hits, with five different batters recording at least a pair of hits. Leading the brigade was Morghyn Ross, who was 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Nevaeh Ross recorded two hits including a two-run double, scoring four runs herself along the way, while Emily Lamberson, Kiara Grover and Nora Thompson each finished with two hits.
In the circle, Nevaeh Ross held Lima Christian to a single hit, handing out 12 chairs.
Friendship/Scio will host their annual mid-season tournament this morning in Scio, where they will take on Andover/Whitesville in a first round matchup beginning at 10 a.m.
Friendship/Scio 634 70 – 20 12 0
Lima Christian 000 00 – 0 1 2
GOLF
Addison claims top honor in tri-match with Hinsdale, Wellsville
WELLSVILLE — With a phenomenal medalist round of 35 from Ryan Thompson paving the way for huge success, the undefeated Knights of Addison were untouchable at the top of the leaderboard on Friday at the Wellsville Country Club, scoring a match-low score of 177 to take care of business against both the host Lions and the Hinsdale Bobcats.
Wellsville (5-7) took the pleasure of placing second overall with a score of 215, with Ethan Bailey working his way to the top of the Lions scorecard once more, firing a team-low round of 43 to lead the way. Noah Brogan chipped in with his round of 55. Jackson Shoughrue provided a 58, while Fletcher Kaye was not far behind with his score of 59.
For the Bobcats, Caden Miller charged up a round of 42.
Both Wellsville and Hinsdale will resume regular season play on Thursday, hitting the road for 4 p.m. tee times with the Lions heading for Allegheny Hills to meet host Cuba-Rushford, while Hinsdale heads for the Bolivar Golf Club to battle the host Wolverines.
BOYS TENNIS
Fillmore sweeps twinbill with Andover/Whitesville
HOUGHTON — All chords were struck by the Fillmore Eagles on the tennis court once more Friday night to close out the week at Houghton University, as they used a dominant first match against Andover/Whitesville to set the tone for the evening, taking the two match sweep to remain undefeated on the season with a pair of 5-0 victories.
In the opening match, four of the five matches in action were scored with 10-0 shutouts, as Eben Schilke and Isaiah Sisson led the singles department with their victories, while both doubles squads of Joe Derck and Jack Boon at first doubles, along with Carson Sanasith and Henry Decker at second doubles all chipped in with 10-0 victories to put the sledgehammer down with the sweep.
Marcus Wolfer would chip in with a 10-1 win of his own at third singles, defeating Elden Terhune.
To close out the night, the Eagles would record another 5-0 sweep of Andover/Whitesville, this time led by Sisson, Wolfer and Boon in the singles department, all scoring dominant finishes by 10-1, 10-2 and 10-1 counts respectively. The doubles teams of Derck and Decker, along with Sanasisth and Ezra Knapp helped close out the night with perfection for the Eagles, scoring 10-1 and 10-3 wins over their opposition.
The Eagles are back on the tennis court over the road on Wednesday, visiting Genesee Valley/Belfast in a 5 p.m. first serve.
Match 1
Singles
1. Eben Schilke (FIL) def. Will Kent (A/W), 10-0.
2. Isaiah Sisson (FIL) def. Trey Kent (A/W), 10-0.
3. Marcus Wolfer (FIL) def. Elden Terhune (A/W), 10-1.
Doubles
1. Joe Derck/Jack Boon (FIL) def. Taegan MacCrea/Kori Carlin (A/W), 10-0.
2. Carson Sanasith/Henry Decker (FIL) def. Zoe Baert/Isabella Potter (A/W), 10-0.
Match 2
Singles
1. Isaiah Sisson (FIL) def. Will Kent (A/W), 10-1.
2. Marcus Wolfer (FIL) def. Trey Kent (A/W), 10-2.
3. Jack Boon (FIL) def. Elden Terhune (A/W), 10-1.
Doubles
1. Joe Derck/Henry Decker (FIL) def. Taegan MacCrea/Kori Carlin (A/W), 10-1
2. Carson Sanasith/Ezra Knapp (FIL) def. Isabella Potter/Zoe Baert (A/W), 10-3.
