Mustangs down rival Purple Eagles

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Greeted by his teammates, Medina’s Brett Riemer touches home plate after belting a grand slam home run which highlighted the Mustangs win over Albion this afternoon at Vets Park.

Highlighted by a grand slam home run, Medina posted a 9-1 victory over rival Albion this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League baseball game at Vets Park.

Leading by a narrow 2-1 margin, Medina broke the contest open when Brett Riemer blasted a grand slam home run over the left field fence in the fourth inning to quickly up the advantage to 6-1.  A single by Matt Saj followed by two walks loaded the bases to set up the opportunity.

Trevor Luthart hurled a complete game on the mound for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs tacked on one insurance run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch and two more in the sixth on an error and a fielders choice play off the bat of winning pitcher Trevor Luthart. A triple by Brian Fry ignited that uprising which also included a double by Riemer.

Luthart went the distance on the mound scattering 3 hits and striking out 9.

Medina jumped out to an early 2-0 lead by scoring once in the second on a double by Zach Fike and once in the third on a single by Alex Allis.

Albion cut the deficit to 2-1 by scoring once in the top of the fourth as Thomas Furmanski singled and came home on an error.

However, the Purple Eagles could not cross home plate again and the Mustangs answered right back with Riemer’s grand slam in the home half of the frame to break the contest wide open.

Albion is now 2-1 and Medina 2-2 in N-O action.

Both teams will be in league action again Saturday as Medina hosts Newfane at 11 a.m. and Albion visits Wilson at 1 p.m.

In other N-O action, Wilson (1-0) defeated Barker (0-4) 11-1 and Akron (2-0) blanked Newfane (0-3) 10-0.

Three pitchers – Jackson Rotella, Steve Frerichs and Mac Musall – combined to hurl a two hitter with 12 strikeouts for Wilson. At the plate, John Bender banged out three doubles for the Lakemen.

Akron got a combined shutout pitching effort from the trio of Brandon Orr, Adam Mietz and Vince Strollo. Mietz, Mason Schultz and Derek Holtz each had a pair of hits for the Tigers.

Medina’s AJ Seefeldt tags out Albion’s Vincent Zona at second base.