(Cutline: Makenna Dunbar, left, had a no-hitter while Averee Palmatier, right, had two hits and a RBI for Wellsville. John Anderson photo)
by CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
HONEOYE FALLS — The defending Class B State Champions were graced with a long road trip to start their title defense on Thursday, visiting another defending Section V finalist — the Honeoye Falls-Lima Lady Cougars, for two tough battles right out of the gate.
But it was a trip that was worth the drive for the Lady Lions of Wellsville, as the four-time Class B titleholders in Section V saw Makenna Dunbar erupt for a brilliant no-hit performance in game one.
As for game two, the offense provided an even bigger explosion to wrap up the night under the lights, as they returned home victorious with a complete sweep of the action to score first-year head coach Gia George her first two victories of the season, defeating the Lady Cougars by 5-1 and 13-1 final counts.
It was a pitcher’s duel straight from the start between the two foes, with each defense coming away unscathed entering the third inning. But it was not long until the Lady Lions (2-0) navigated their way onto the board with a massive three-run frame that ultimately allowed their lead to remain firmly intact.
After Honeoye Falls-Lima retrieved one of those runs back in return in the bottom half of the third, the Lady Lions went on to hold the Lady Cougars at a standstill the rest of the way, adding two more runs in the process — one of them being a massive first career Varsity hit for Brynn Hallock, who went yard in the top of the fourth inning with a big solo blast.
Makenna Dunbar took the lead for Wellsville on the field, as she allowed just one run to come across without yielding a single hit to reach the field, recording the no-hitter in her first start of the campaign that saw 11 strikeouts and four walks.
At the plate, Averee Palmatier, Ayla Faulkner and Kennedy Perry all had two hits to chip in, with Palmatier and Faulkner each driving in a run.
In game two, the Lady Lions broke loose from Honeoye Falls-Lima’s grasp one more time after a close 1-1 tie through the first three innings, as the bats exploded for a gargantuan 10-run bottom of the fourth that set up a six-inning finish for the complete sweep over the Lady Cougars.
In all, Wellsville compiled 13 total runs off 10 hits at the plate, with Faulkner and her three hits propelling the way forward.
To help break the game open in the fourth, Makenna Dunbar completed a phenomenal evening on both sides of the spectrum for the Lady Lions, adding a two-run shot, while Emily Stuck had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.
From within the circle, the win belonged to Perry, who went the first five innings with three strikeouts and a walk, combining with Hallock on a two-hit victory to wrap up the road trip.
Wellsville is back on the road Monday night for a 5 p.m. visit to take on the Lady Knights of Addison.
Game 1
Wellsville 003 101 0 – 5 9 1
Honeoye Falls-Lima 001 000 0 – 1 0 0
WLSV – Makenna Dunbar (WP) (CG, 12K, 4BB) and Lindsay Stuck.
HFL – Emma Dunman (LP) (CG, 5K, 3BB) and Morgan Dunman.
Game 2
Honeoye Falls-Lima 100 0 00 – 1 2 4
Wellsville 010 (10) 11 – 13 10 1
HFL – Jenna Fowler (LP) (CG, 3K, BB) and Eme Ford.
WLSV – Kennedy Perry (WP) (3K, BB), Brynn Hallock (6) (3K) and Lindsay Stuck.
Fillmore 22, Friendship/Scio 1 (F-5)
FILLMORE — In her first season with the green and white this Spring, Morghyn Ross was simply unstoppable at the plate, as she went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with two triples, two doubles, three RBI and four runs scored to generate a dominant 22-1 win for Fillmore over visiting Friendship/Scio, Thursday night.
The Lady Eagles (1-0) fired the cannons straight out of the gate at the plate, as they gathered all the room possible to remain out front of Friendship/Scio with a 10-run bottom of the first inning.
In all, Fillmore accounted for 22 runs off 15 total hits at the plate, with Mattie McCumiskey and Mylee Miller each chipping in three hits, combining for seven of the team’s runs along the way. McCumiskey also had three RBI to drive in.
In the circle, Miller was dominant, holding Friendship/Scio (0-1) to just a single hit behind nine strikeouts and three walks to score the win.
For the visitors in black and gold, Addy Sekoll fanned two and walked seven during her tenure of relief. At the plate, Emily Lamberson garnered the team’s lone hit, a double to pair along with an RBI. Kaydence Sadler provided a fielder’s choice, recording an RBI along with it.
Friendship/Scio returns to action at Alfred-Almond on Monday at 5 p.m.
The Lady Eagles will look to keep their winning ways rolling into Saturday morning, hosting Franklinville at 11 a.m. if the weather cooperates.
Friendship/Scio 0 00 10 — 1 1 5
Fillmore (10)82 2X — 22 15 0
F/S – Emily Lamberson (LP) (2BB), Addy Sekoll (1) (2K, 7BB) and Avery Lamberson.
FIL – Mylee Miller (WP) (CG, 9K, 3BB) and Morghyn Ross.
Hinsdale at Hammondsport – No report.
TRACK
Wellsville’s Howard smashes school record again in season-opening sweep at B-R
BOLIVAR — Last Spring, JJ Howard left a gigantic footprint on his first official season outdoors with the Wellsville track team.
So many first place finishes, a dominant postseason that saw him become a three-time Section V champion, carving a path forward to the New York State meet alongside his teammates, Xavier Scott and eventual back-to-back State Champion Kaylee Oswald.
Talk about an entrance.
Now, Howard enters his second and final season with the Lions, which also brings about one more opportunity to make all the noise possible.
What better way to do that, than to rewrite school history.
Again.
On their very first time out to kick off their newest Spring season on Thursday, the Wellsville senior went full force and smashed his previous high jump school record with a brand new one, eclipsing the bar by an entire foot to headline a three-victory evening at Bolivar-Richburg where the Lions boys and girls teams sweep the competition in style against Salamanca, Friendship/Scio, Fillmore and the host Wolverines.
After surpassing assistant coach John Valentine’s record last May at Genesee Valley, Howard has now etched the school’s historic track and field ledger once again, as he reached a height of 6-5 to set up a tremendous season debut out in the field, putting the performance alongside his victories from the sand bunker in the long and triple jumps in what was a 179-point first-place team effort for the boys team.
Howard’s winning height in the high jump also provided an automatic qualification for this year’s State Qualifier.
Adding wins alongside Howard was Xavier Scott and Jack Davis, each pitching in a pair of victories along the way, with Scott triumphing in the 100 dash and 110 hurdles, while Davis soared in the 400 hurdles and the pole vault events. Cole White (400 sprint) and Collin Perkins (1600 run) each had a win to chip in to go with a complete sweep of all three relay events, as Wellsville totaled 12 total victories to power a magnificent debut outdoors.
The Friendship/Scio boys placed third overall behind 31 points, with Jerome Harmon (200 dash) and Dawson Mix (800 sprint) each paving the way with a win in their respective events.
Fillmore finished fourth with a 26-point performance, led by a first place finish from Eli Strickland in the 3200 run.
Bolivar-Richburg rounded off with 19.5 points, finishing fifth.
As for the ladies, the Lady Lions narrowly outlasted a tough Salamanca Lady Warriors squad behind a bounty of secondary finishes to go with a six-pack of top finishes, posting 120 first-place points to help finish off a meet sweep.
Leading the way forward was defending State Champion Kaylee Oswald, who picked up where she left off from last Spring with two more dominant finishes in the throwing events, claiming gold in the shot put and discus.
Jaden Dunbar had the team’s last victory from the field, soaring to big heights with a triumphant pole vault performance. From the track, alongside a pair of strong relay finishes in the 1600 and 3200 relays, Talia O’Connor had the team’s final individual victory, hurdling her way towards glory in the 400 hurdles event.
The Bolivar-Richburg girls scored 39 points, placing third overall behind three first place finishes — two by senior Carmen Crowley, who shined in both the long and triple jumps. Raegan Giardini had the team’s final win, placing first in the 800 sprint.
The Lady Eagles of Fillmore finished fourth overall with 33 points, witnessing Grace Walton and Jillian Beardsley each collecting winning times in the 400 sprint and 1500 run, respectively.
Friendship/Scio was not far behind Fillmore, posting 31 points of their own for a fifth place finish.
All four local teams will be back outdoors again for regular season action at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, with Wellsville traveling to visit Campbell Savona, Bolivar-Richburg hitting the road for Cuba-Rushford, and both Fillmore and Friendship/Scio visiting the Jungle in Belmont to take on host Genesee Valley/Belfast.
Team Scores: Wellsville 179, Salamanca 87.5, Friendship/Scio 31, Fillmore 26, Bolivar-Richburg 19.5.
100 – 1. Xavier Scott (WLSV) 11.2, 2. Jerome Harmon (F/S), 3. Kyle Lecceardone (SAL).
200 – 1. Jerome Harmon (F/S) 23.5, 2. Xavier Scott (WLSV), 3. Kyle Lecceardone (SAL).
400 – 1. Cole White (WLSV) 57.7, 2. Andrew Kristofferson (WLSV), 3. David Lamberson (WLSV).
800 – 1. Dawson Mix (F/S) 2:14.7, 2. Collin Perkins (WLSV), 3. Payton Bigler (SAL).
1600 – 1. Collin Perkins (WLSV) 5:32.3, 2. Aiden George (SAL), 3. Landon Wright (FIL).
3200 – 1. Eli Strickland (FIL) 11:57.4, 2. Preston Smith (SAL), 3. Kam Dodge (WLSV).
110H – 1. Xavier Scott (WLSV) 14.9, 2. Jack Davis (WLSV), 3. Calyn Todd (B-R).
400H – 1. Jack Davis (WLSV) 1:01.1, 2. Calyn Todd (B-R), 3. Landon Stratton (WLSV).
400R – 1. Wellsville 46.3, 2. Salamanca, 3. Bolivar-Richburg.
1600R – 1. Wellsville 3:53.0, 2. Salamanca, 3. Bolivar-Richburg.
3200R – 1. Wellsville 9:32.0, 2. Salamanca, 3. Fillmore.
Shot – 1. Evan Spruce (SAL) 38-9.5, 2. Terrance Benz (WLSV), 3. Derek Coleman (WLSV).
Discus – 1. Evan Spruce (SAL) 106-1, 2. Derek Coleman (WLSV), 3. Gage Hartman (FIL).
High Jump – 1. JJ Howard (WLSV) 6-5, 2. Jace Densmore (WLSV), 3. Jerimiah Brown (F/S).
Long Jump – 1. JJ Howard (WLSV) 20-4.5, 2. Lucius Griggs (WLSV), 3. Dawson Mix (F/S).
Tri Jump – 1. JJ Howard (WLSV) 40-8.75, 2. Lucius Griggs (WLSV), 3. Jace Densmore (WLSV).
Pole – 1. Jack Davis (WLSV) 9-0, 2. Easton Chudy (SAL), 3. Mason Brewer (SAL).
Team Scores: Wellsville 120, Salamanca 115, Bolivar-Richburg 39, Fillmore 33, Friendship/Scio 31.
100 – 1. Jamilla Nelthrope (SAL) 13.1, 2. Cassidy Scholla (F/S), 3. Jordyn Nickerson (F/S).
200 – 1. Jamilla Nelthrope (SAL) 27.8, 2. Cassidy Scholla (F/S), 3. Neveah Muchuga (WLSV)/Meyah Worthington (FIL).
400 – 1. Grace Walton (FIL) 1:06.9, 2. Caelyn Stevens (WLSV), 3. Morgan Mattison (WLSV)/Cassidy Scholla (F/S).
800 – 1. Raegan Giardini (B-R) 2:41.2, 2. Kaylin Lemon (SAL), 3. Madeleine Rowley (FIL).
1500 – 1. Jillian Beardsley (FIL) 5:26.5, 2. Raegan Giardini (B-R), 3. Kaylin Lemon (SAL).
3000 – 1. Thia Chudy (SAL) 14:48.0, 2. Ella Green (WLSV).
100H – 1. Jamilla Nelthrope (SAL) 18.6, 2. Jordyn Nickerson (F/S), 3. Talia O’Connor (WLSV).
400H – 1. Talia O’Connor (WLSV) 1:19.3, 2. Gabrielle Bly (SAL), 3. Amilia Rivera (SAL).
400R – 1. Salamanca 57.1, 2. Wellsville, 3. Fillmore.
1600R – 1. Wellsville 4:45.8, 2. Fillmore, 3. Bolivar-Richburg.
3200R – 1. Wellsville 11:35.7, 2. Salamanca, 3. Wellsville.
Shot – 1. Kaylee Oswald (WLSV) 40-7, 2. Paloma Haas (SAL), 3. Sarah Mattison (WLSV).
Discus – 1. Kaylee Oswald (WLSV) 109-8, 2. Sarah Mattison (WLSV), 3. Paloma Haas (SAL).
High Jump – 1. Isabella Milks (SAL) 4-11, 2. Brooklyn Dahlgren (WLSV), 3. Cassidy Scholla (F/S).
Long Jump – 1. Carmen Crowley (B-R) 14-7.5, 2. Brooklyn Dahlgren (WLSV), 3. Isabella Milks (SAL).
Tri Jump – 1. Carmen Crowley (B-R) 31-5, 2. Isabella Milks (SAL), 3. Ariyanna Bluntt (SAL).
Pole – 1. Jaden Dunbar (WLSV) 7-6, 2. Addy Clark (WLSV), 3. Arleigh Chudy (SAL).
GV/Belfast sweeps season-opening meet vs. C-R
BELMONT — Thursday night saw the Genesee Valley/Belfast track team bring out the brooms to open their 2025 campaign outdoors, as both the boys and girls squads each found the win column behind an array of first place finishes to set the tone against visiting Cuba-Rushford inside the Jungle in Belmont.
For the boys, from within their 62-46 victory over the Rebels, it was Brayden Cooper who helped power the way forward with three dynamic victories both on the track and in the field, as he scored his wins in the 100 and 200 dashes alongside a winning distance at the sand bunker, in the long jump. Noah Miller swept both distance-running events for the hosts, as he took top honors in both the 1600 and 3200 runs.
Adding more gold from the field was Bryce Davis, Callahan Tallman and Wyatt Weaver, as the Genesee Valley/Belfast trio each scored a win in the shot put, high jump and pole vault respectively.
As for Cuba-Rushford, they scored four total first place finishes, with Sawyer Rouse (400 sprint) and Joe Wojciechowski (800 sprint) leading the way on the track, while Breckham Hunt (discus) and Brenton Ahrens (triple jump) each lit the way forward from the field with their winning distances. The Rebels also tallied two relay victories, scoring them in the 1600 and 3200 relay events.
As for the girls squad, Genesee Valley/Belfast utilized 10 total victories within their 88-49 team win to energize their first victory of the campaign over the Lady Rebels, with Sophie Zillgitt and her pair of victories in the 800 sprint and high jump events. Five different ladies each posted a win on the track to help further the team’s cause along the way, with Addisyn Ely (200 dash), Regina Dougherty (400 sprint), Rowan Vossler (1500 run), Samayah Lussier (3000 run) and Allyson Hazelton all recording a win each.
Genesee Valley/Belfast also claimed two wins in the relay department, placing first in the 1600 and 3200 relays.
From the field, the hosts were paced by Bayleigh Tallman and her winning distance in the sand, earning gold in the long jump.
The Lady Rebels collected seven total victories to counter their opposition, with Lily Tompkins and her victories in both the shot put and pole vault events from the field leading the charge. Cloey Larabee (100 dash) and Brynn Lavery (100 hurdles) helped provide a winning presence on the track with a victory in their respective events, while Alleyeah Gross (discus) and Karleigh Truax (triple jump) took top honors in their events.
Cuba-Rushford also added in a winning quartet of runners in the 400 relay event.
Both teams will resume their campaign on Tuesday in a pair of 5 p.m. commencements, with Cuba-Rushford heading home to host Bolivar-Richburg, while Genesee Valley/Belfast stays put in the Jungle to welcome in both Fillmore and Friendship/Scio.
Team Scores: Genesee Valley/Belfast 62, Cuba-Rushford 46.
100 – 1. Brayden Cooper (GVB) 11.0, 2. Wyatt Weaver (GVB), 3. Anderson Seigel (C-R).
200 – 1. Brayden Cooper (GVB) 23.7, 2. Anderson Seigel (C-R), 3. Wyatt Weaver (GVB).
400 – 1. Sawyer Rouse (C-R) 57.6, 2. Sal Gambino (GVB), 3. Kevin Smith (C-R).
800 – 1. Joe Wojciechowski (C-R) 2:09.9, 2. Alex Linn (C-R), 3. Tate Jenkins (GVB).
1600 – 1. Noah Miller (GVB) 5:29.3, 2. Brett Lewandowski (GVB).
3200 – 1. Noah Miller (GVB) 12:15.3, 2. Colden Caiazza (GVB).
1600R – 1. Cuba-Rushford 3:56.7, 2. Genesee Valley/Belfast.
3200R – 1. Cuba-Rushford 9:20.3, 2. Genesee Valley/Belfast.
Shot – 1. Bryce Davis (GVB) 35-6, 2. Garrett Clayson (C-R), 3. Wyatt Green (GVB).
Discus – 1. Breckham Hunt (C-R) 103-10, 2. Garrett Clayson (C-R), 3. Bryce Davis (GVB).
High Jump – 1. Callahan Tallman (GVB) 6-4.
Long Jump – 1. Brayden Cooper (GVB) 19-4, 2. Callahan Tallman (GVB), 3. Brenton Ahrens (C-R).
Tri Jump – 1. Brenton Ahrens (C-R) 35-6, 2. Callahan Tallman (GVB), 3. Breckham Hunt (C-R).
Pole – 1. Wyatt Weaver (GVB) 9-3.
Team Scores: Genesee Valley/Belfast 88, Cuba-Rushford 49.
100 – 1. Cloey Larabee (C-R) 13.2, 2. Bayleigh Tallman (GVB), 3. Lily Coleman (C-R).
200 – 1. Addisyn Ely (GVB) 29.7, 2. Natalee Lindo (GVB), 3. Edie Petrkiewicz (C-R).
400 – 1. Regina Dougherty (GVB) 1:06.5, 2. Addisyn Ely (GVB), 3. Bayleigh Tallman (GVB).
800 – 1. Sophie Zillgitt (GVB) 2:45.3, 2. Regina Dougherty (GVB).
1500 – 1. Rowan Vossler (GVB) 7:24.1, 2. Morgan Grooms (GVB), 3. Samayah Lussier (GVB).
3000 – 1. Samayah Lussier (GVB) 17:15.7, 2. Christina McAuley (GVB).
100H – 1. Brynn Lavery (C-R) 17.9, 2. Sophie Zillgitt (GVB), 3. Braelynn Hunt (C-R).
400H – 1. Allyson Hazelton (GVB) 1:19.2, 2. Brynn Lavery (C-R), 3. Rowan Vossler (GVB).
400R – 1. Cuba-Rushford 53.9.
1600R – 1. Genesee Valley/Belfast 4:50.3.
3200R – 1. Genesee Valley/Belfast 13:23.5.
Shot – 1. Lily Tompkins (C-R) 26-3, 2. Alleyah Gross (C-R), 3. Addison Bradt (GVB).
Discus – 1. Alleyah Gross (C-R) 65-11, 2. Addison Bradt (GVB), 3. Faith White (GVB).
High Jump – 1. Sophie Zillgitt (GVB) 4-8, 2. Allyson Hazelton (GVB).
Long Jump – 1. Bayleigh Tallman (GVB) 14-6.5, 2. Sophie Zillgitt (GVB), 3. Karleigh Truax (C-R).
Tri Jump – 1. Karleigh Truax (C-R) 30-2, 2. Andra Shultz (GVB), 3. Kendall Tompkins (C-R).
Pole – 1. Lily Tompkins (C-R) 8-6, 2. Lily Coleman (C-R).
