Decade in Review: #5 Tigers, Rams and Mustangs all reach state baseball semifinals

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Josh Brabon slides into home during the Tigers state semifinal contest as Livingston Manor catcher Dillon Taggert makes the tag.

The Lyndonville, Roy-Hart and Medina baseball teams all reached diamond highs during the decade by advancing to the state semifinals.

Lyndonville reached the state semifinals for the first time in the program’s history in 2011 as the Tigers dropped a 7-4 decision to Livingston Manor at Binghamton.

The Tigers had advanced to the semis by defeating Genesee Region League foe Notre Dame 7-4 in the Section V Class DD title contest, Webster Christian 10-4 in the Section V Class D state qualifier and Pine Valley 12-6 in the Far West Regional.

Lyndonville also claimed the Section V Class DD title in  2013 and the D1 crown in 2017.

In 2013 the Tigers defeated Fillmore 1-0 in the DD title contest and Whitesville 8-3 in the Class D state qualifier but then lost 3-2 to Pine Valley in the Far West Regional.

In 2017, the Tigers downed Fillmore 6-2 to win the D1 title but lost in the state qualifiers 6-5 to Lima Christian.

Roy-Hart’s Ben Schwab dives to try and make a play at third base during the Rams state semifinal game against Seton Catholic.

Roy-Hart advanced to the state Class B semis in 2018 where the Rams dropped a 7-1 decision to Seton Catholic of Binghamton at Binghamton.

The Rams advanced to what was their first ever appearance in the state semis by downing Niagara-Orleans League rival Medina 4-2 for the Section VI Class B2 title, Olean 12-9 in the Section VI Class B state qualifier and Midlakes 10-1 in the Far West Regional.

Roy-Hart repeated as Section VI Class B2 champion this past spring by downing Gowanda 5-1 in the title contest. However, the Rams were bested by Medina in the state qualifier 15-4.

Medina’s Brian Fry slides into third base during the Mustangs state semifinal game against Schuylerville.

Roy-Hart captured the N-O championship three straight years 2016-17-18.

Medina made its second ever appearance in the state semifinals this past spring as the Mustang lost 6-3 to Schuylerville at Binghamtion.

The Mustangs only previous trip to the state semis came in 2003 when they lost to Carle Place 5-1.

Medina advanced to the state semis by downing rival Albion 10-6 in the Section VI Class B1 final, N-O rival Roy-Hart 15-4 in the Section VI Class B state qualifier and LeRoy 10-2 in the Far West Regional. The win over Roy-Hart avenged the Mustangs loss to the Rams in the 2018 B2 title contest.

Medina captured the N-O title twice during the decade in 2015 and 2019.

Albion also had a big decade on the diamond as the Purple Eagles captured four N-O championships (2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014) and four Section VI titles (Class A in 2010, Class A2 in 2011, 2012 and  2014).

In the sectional finals Albion downed Williamsville South 5-3 in 2010, Lew-Port 9-8 in eight innings in 2011, Maryvale 17-5 in 2012 and Starpoint 2-1 in 2014.

The Purple Eagles lost to Pittsford Sutherland in the Class A Far West Regional in both 2010 (6-2) and 2014 (3-2).

Holley captured the G-R Division 1 title in 2015 and 2016 and the Section V Class CC crown in 2015 downing East Rochester 6-2. The Hawks lost in the Class C state qualifier 6-3 to Geneseo.

Albion’s Pete Nesbitt dives back to first base during the Purple Eagles  2012 sectional title win over Maryvale.