Kendall nips Elba in G-R diamond opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – John Rath hurled Kendall to a season opening win over visiting Elba this afternoon.

Surviving a seventh inning scare, Kendall edged past visiting Elba 4-3 this afternoon in a season opening Genesee Region League baseball game.

Kendall built up a 4-0 lead by scoring once in the fifth on a single by Mickey Gardner and three times in the sixth on a two-out, three run double by Mason Kuhn. Hits by Hunter Menze and Jorden Ostrander and an intentional walk to winning pitcher John Rath loaded the bases to set up the threat.

Elba though came battling back in the seventh scoring three times on a two-run single by Evan Hare and a fielders choice play before Kendall got the final two outs to claim the victory on a strikeout by John Rath and a diving catch in right field by Noah Rath.

Mickey Gardner drove in the Eagles first run.

John Rath, who had a non hitter going into the seventh, finished with a 2 hitter and 9 strikeouts.

“The kids played very well defensively,” said Kendall Coach Tige Noni. “We played well. It was a good way to start.”

Holley 10, Barker 0
Exploding for nine runs in the first inning, Holley went on to defeat host Barker 10-0 in a non league contest.

“The kids really came out ready to play,” said Holley Coach Dan Burke.

Malachi Rowcliffe had 3 hits and Jake Norman 2 to lead the Holley offense.

Jayden Gibaud picked up the win on the mound for the Hawks allowing 2 hits and striking out 5.

Roy-Hart 6, Tonawanda 0
Charlie Bruning and Walker Samanka combined to hurl a three hit shutout for Roy-Hart in a 6-0 non league win over visiting Tonawanda.

Bruning pitched the first five and one-third innings striking out 11 and allowing 2 hits. Samanka hurled the final inning and two-thirds fanning 5 and allowing 1 hit.

Breaking away from a scoreless deadlock, Roy-Hart scored what proved to be the game winner in the fifth frame on an RBI single by Charlie Brigham.

The Rams the broke the contest open with five runs in the sixth frame on two-run singles by Bruning and Hunter Babel and an RBI single by Reed Albee. Hits by Samanka and Karl Darling set up the opportunity.

Newfane 5, Cleve Hill 1

Winning pitcher Garrett Srock and Hunter Jurek both banged out doubles in Newfane’s 5-1 non league win over Cleve Hill. On the mound, Srock struck out 7 in four innings of work.