By Chris Brooks, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
RUSHVILLE — Quite possibly, the pitching performance of the season unfolded for the Lions of Wellsville on Tuesday.
Behind the guidance of both Ty Vogel and Cooper Brockway on the rubber, they would become untouchable against host Marcus Whitman, as the two aces converged to hold the Wildcats without a single hit.
That, while the bats struck all chords in the midst of a 16-hit barrage, to become the first team in Allegany County to eclipse the 10-win mark in their first 11 games with a 19-0 blank.
“Both of them pounded the zone and they looked very comfortable out there tonight,” Lions coach Tom Delahunt said. “That was really good to see. Neither one of them has thrown a lot in the last week, but we have a big week ahead of us with a quick turnaround to Cuba after this. They started us off on a good note tonight, and we paired that with 16 hits across five innings. We’ll take that as well.”
The hammer on offense was brought down immediately by the Lions (10-1) after breaking the ice with a 2-0 lead on the Wildcats during their opening at-bats, as they carried all momentum from the first inning over to the next and unloaded a nine-run dispatch to cross the double-digit plateau in a hurry.
With the advantage being cemented, Vogel and Brockway continued to assume command of their destiny on the mound across all five innings of action. Out of the 15 batters they would ultimately face, the two aces handed out 13 strikeouts, with Vogel’s eight allowing him to record the win in his start. Brockway would follow with five of his own in the last two innings during his tenure of relief.
Four different Lions recorded at least a pair of hits to ignite the sticks, with Alex Green and his 4-for-4 outing electrifying the efforts, posting a double, three RBI and two runs scored. Vogel added in three hits, driving in two and scoring three times.
In addition, Trenton Green blasted a pair of doubles, driving in one and scoring three more times, while Aiden Cowburn rounded off with two more hits of his own, including a double, and totaled three RBI.
Wellsville will get set for a 5 p.m. visit to Cuba-Rushford on Thursday. That game was moved from Wednesday.
Wellsville 291 70 – 19 16 0
Marcus Whitman 000 00 – 0 0 5
WLSV – Ty Vogel (WP) (8K, BB), Cooper Brockway (4) (5K) and Alex Green, Matt Ritter (4).
MW – Connor Williams (LP) (K, 5BB), Parker Weissend (3) (2K) and Aiden Marin.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 19, Friendship/Scio 1 (F-5)
SCIO — Matt Cater and Fisher Herdman came together and helped produce another outstanding effort on the mound for Genesee Valley/Belfast on Tuesday.
Following a three-hit shutout tossed by Ryan Daciw, the two seniors converged to hold host Friendship/Scio to just one hit in the midst of their nine-strikeout combination to set up a 19-1 five-inning victory — their fourth straight, in Scio.
Genesee Valley/Belfast (8-2) provided a strong outing of offense to complement their pitching on the hill, as they procured 19 runs off 10 hits on the assembly line, starting the day with a nine-run top of the first inning and never looking back.
Leading the way was Cater, who had two hits and scored five runs. Evan Turybury chipped in with a team-leading three of his own.
As for the pitching staff, Cater garnered the win behind six strikeouts and a walk while Herdman added three more strikeouts and three walks to finish off the victory against Friendship/Scio (0-7).
Both teams will hop back on the field on Saturday, with Genesee Valley/Belfast hosting a 12 p.m. first pitch against Northeast hailing from Buffalo, while Friendship/Scio hosts their annual Midseason Tournament in Scio with a 10 a.m. opening round battle against Hinsdale.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 903 62 – 19 10 2
Friendship/Scio 000 01 – 1 1 7
GVB – Matt Cater (WP) (6K, BB), Fisher Herdman (4) (3K, 3BB) and Evan Turybury.
F/S – Deacon Brown (LP) (K, 7BB), Aiden Golden (3) (2BB) and Charlie Taylor.
