By CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com, photo gallery by Chris Brooks and Makenna Dunbar
WELLSVILLE — After spending one of their last times together with their fellow senior classmates this past weekend in Boston, Alex Green and Cooper Brockway came home and spent one of their very last times as teammates on the diamond in the Lion’s Den on Monday, as Wellsville recognized their senior leaders and their contributions over the years prior to their return to action against Cuba-Rushford.
Right after their were recognized with their families, a special guest made her way to the field, Sister Alice Roach, who at 93-years-old delivered a one-hop strike to Green. Sister Alice was the long-time principal at Immaculate Conception School. Former ICS students went to the mound for the pitch. “Miss Jan” Terteling, a long time ICS employee, then threw out the other pitch to Brockway.
Going into the game, Wellsville had a shutout over the road against the Rebels in the wagon already, the Lions went on to repeat history once more to send their two seniors out in grand style, as they used a rapid start in the beginning stages, along with a three-pitcher sequence on the rubber to hold Cuba-Rushford to two hits, setting the tone for what was a 12-0 shutout after five complete innings to stay red hot ahead of Wednesday’s titanic showdown with Bolivar-Richburg.
“Tonight was a celebration for our two senior leaders,” said Lions coach Tom Delahunt. “I mentioned to the team before the game that we can’t get two finer young men than what we have now with them. They lead by example, their dedication to this sport and that’s something the younger kids look up to. It’s nice to recognize them in their last season with us for what they do and what they brought to this program.”
Following the gorgeous turning of a 6-4-3 double play in the infield for the Lions (14-1), they would go on to use the momentum to create a rapid start against the Rebels again with a 2-0 lead in the first, scoring their runs off an infield error and the first of two RBI smacks off the bat from Matt Ritter to break the ice.
Wellsville kept firing on all cylinders after another strong defensive feature in the field, going 1-2-3 with the Rebels (6-7) bats to claim their spots at the plate once again, this time adding five more runs, powered by a two-run single from Aiden Cowburn, a bases-loaded walk, a second RBI from Ritter on a sacrifice to deep center field and an infield error by the visitors in gray and blue to create a 7-0 lead that they would never lose.
The Lions would put a wrap on the scoring with their last five runs coming in the bottom of the fourth, eclipsing the double-digit mark to force an early end to the contest. In all, the Wellsville offense collected 12 runs off 10 total hits, with three different Lions all posting at least a pair of hits.
Leading the charge was Cowburn, Ty Vogel and Karson Grover, each recording two hits. Cooper Brockway chipped in with an RBI and two runs scored.
On the mound, the win was charged to junior Gavin Haggerty, who improved to 4-0 on the season, tops on the Lions. He went the first three innings behind three strikeouts and two walks.
Grover and Derek Coleman would enter in relief, combining for four more strikeouts to finish off a stellar showing on the mound for the hosts in black and orange.
“Gavin (Haggerty) gave us three good innings and we got a tough schedule ahead with Bolivar-Richburg and Addison coming up. Monday with Wayland-Cohocton as well,” said Delahunt. “Gavin gave us what we needed to get prepared for those games, and Karson (Grover) and Derek (Coleman) also saw some time pitching as well to help us out. Those three took the ball and did their jobs. Offensively, we spread the hits out and got contributions from multiple different kids. We don’t depend on just that single kid or two, so it was really nice to see everyone fill out the stat sheet.”
For Cuba-Rushford, Finn Ricketts mustered two strikeouts and a walk during his tenure of relief on the mound. At the plate, Braeden Wight and Dean Frank each had a single. The Rebels will look to get back into the win column back home tonight for a 5 p.m. contest against incoming Andover/Whitesville.
Wellsville is now off until their reemergence on the diamond Wednesday in the Lion’s Den, hosting the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines in what will be the titanic showdown of the season, beginning at 5 p.m.
Cuba-Rushford 000 00 – 0 2 5
Wellsville 250 5X – 12 10 1
C-R – Eli Sleggs (LP) (BB), Finn Ricketts (2) (2K, 2BB), Braeden Wight (3) (2BB), Lucas Haskins (4) (K) and Braxton Clark.
WLSV – Gavin Haggerty (WP) (3K, 2BB), Karson Grover (4) (2K), Derek Coleman (5) (2K) and Alex Green, Matt Ritter (5).
