Lyndonville’s magical season ends

Baseball team came close to advancing to states

Photos by Tom Rivers – Lyndonville pitcher Justin Edwards was impressive in defeat on the mound. He also had two hits for the Tigers at Dwyer Stadium.

Lyndonville third baseman Evan Milleville runs off the field after tagging out a Pine Valley runner.

Rebekah Hoffee leads the Lyndonville fans in a cheer for the baseball team. Her father Brad is an assistant coach for the baseball team. Rebekah was on Lyndonville’s softball team that won Sectionals.

BATAVIA – The Lyndonville Tigers baseball came up a little short in its bid to go to the state tournament. The team lost a close game today to Pine Valley, 3-2.

The game pitted the Section V champ in Class D, Lyndonville, against the winner of Section VI in the Far West Regionals at Dwyer Stadium.

The Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Pine Valley scored once in the fifth and twice in the sixth inning to win the game. Justin Edwards pitched a strong game for Lyndonville in defeat. He also had two hits at the plate. Brandon Schoolcraft also had two singles.

Lyndonville threatened in the seventh after Edwards and Schoolcraft both had hits, but the Tigers couldn’t get them to home plate. Lyndonville ends its season at 16-8.

Lyndonville players cheer on their teammates during today’s game against Pine Valley, the Section VI champ.

Austin Buckland makes contact in the first inning, when Lyndonville jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Pine Valley.

Both the baseball and softball teams won Section V titles. The teams’ success has been thrilling for the school and community, said Jason Smith, the district superintendent.

“It’s exciting to have both teams do so well,” he said after today’s game. “It was the first time the girls won the Section V title. I don’t think it’s ever happened before in Lyndonville when both teams won Sectional titles in the same season. It’s great for the school, the kids and the parents.”

The Lyndonville roster features many sophomores and juniors, a strong returning nucleus for next year.

Smith said he is proud of the team, which battled back to win several times during the season. The Tigers nearly did it again today against Pine Valley.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he said after the loss. “They had a great season.”

A young Tigers fan chews sunflower seeds while watching the game.