Medina wins opener of Midget ‘A’ playoff championship series

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jared Zinkievich slides into second base during this evening’s win over visiting Lockport to open the Midget ‘A’ League best two out of three playoff championship series.

Breaking away from a 2-2 deadlock, Medina used a big six run fourth inning scoring burst to key an 11-5 victory over visiting Lockport this evening in the opening game of the Lockport Midget ‘A’ League best two out of three playoff championship series.

A three-run double by Cyrus MacFarland highlighted Medina’s decisive scoring burst. A walk, an error and a hit batter loaded the bases to set up the threat. Another walk, hit batter and a fielders choice play plated the final three runs of the uprising upping the Medina lead to 8-2.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Cyrus MacFarland belts a key three-run double to put Medina back on top to stay.

Medina added a pair of tallies in the fifth on a two-run double by Jason Hellwig to make it 10-2. A walk and a single by Jared Zinkievich set up the opportunity.

Devonte Howard plated Medina’s final run with an RBI single in the sixth upping the lead to 11-4.

Medina had grabbed an early 2-0 lead by scoring once in the first on a single by Matt Riemer and once in the second on an error which followed a single by Justin Morgan and a double by Zinkievich.

Lockport capitalized on a pair of errors to score twice in the top of the fourth to briefly knot the contest at 2-2. However, Medina answered right back with the six run burst in the home half of the frame to regain the lead for good as MacFarland’s bases clearing double was the big blow.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Connor Barleben hurled Medina to the win.

Connor Barleben picked up the win on the mound allowing only two hits and striking out 10 over the first five innings.

Lockport did score two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh but could get no closer than six down the stretch.

The second game of the series is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Lockport with a third game, if necessary, slated for 5:30 p.m. Friday at Medina.