Albion, Medina ousted in sectional softball playoffs

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Natalie DiCureia takes a throw on a steal attempt by Cheektowaga’s Rachel Kedzierski during the host Purple Eagles sectional loss to the Warriors this afternoon.

Unable to overcome an early seven run deficit, No. 18 seed Albion dropped an 11-8 decision to visiting No. 15 Cheektowaga this afternoon in the opening round of the Section VI Class A softball playoffs.

Medina likewise was eliminated as the No. 20 Mustangs lost 16-4 at No. 13 Cleveland Hill in a Class B contest.

Also in Class B, No. 11 Wilson defeated No. 22 Salamanca 12-3 to earn a trip to No. 6 Roy-Hart on Thursday.

Cheektowaga jumped out to a big 7-0 lead after scoring six times in the second inning on on five walks, an error and a pair of two-run singles.

Albion though did come battling back to close to within one at 8-7 after scoring five runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth but the Purple Eagles could not pull even.

A three-run triple by Meaghan Hurley and an RBI triple by Kelsee Soule highlighted the third inning rally for Albion which also included an RBI single by Savannah Allen.

Hurley then had a double and Kelsey Schmitt and Allen singles in the two-run fourth inning.

However, the Purple Eagles managed just one more run over the final three innings as Cheektowaga used a three run fifth inning uprising to put a lock on the win on a solo homer, four walks and an error.

Allen finished with three hits for the Purple Eagles as Soule and Hurley each had two.

The game was scheduled to be played at Cheektowaga but unplayable field conditions because of the recent rains caused the contest to be shifted to Albion.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Meaghan Hurley had a three-run triple and a double to lead Albion at the plate.

Cleve Hill 16, Medina 4
Medina scored four quick runs in the first inning on leadoff triple by Mallori Wienke, a two-run single by Emma Ambrose along with RBI singles by Emilee Austin and Hailey Jakubowski but could not cross home plate again as the Mustangs bowed to Cleve Hill 16-4.

Cleve Hill took the lead for good by scoring six times in the second inning.

Wilson 12, Salamanca 3
Allie Bubar, Emily Lasher and Emma Okoniewski all banged out doubles to lead the offense for Wilson in the 12-3 win over visiting Salamanca.

In the circle, Tayler Devole scattered six hits and struck out five.

Newfane 2, Lackawanna 0
Morgan Bedford banged out a double and triple and Cassidy Grace hurled a one hitter with five strikeouts to lead No. 15 Newfane past No. 18 Lackawanna 2-0.