Albion rallies past Lyndonville 2-1 to capture Tri County League playoff championship

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Thomas Furmanski, left, and Lyndonville’s Rolland Balcerzak had a combined total of 25 strikeouts in this evening’s Tri County playoff championship game won by host Albion 2-1.

In a pitchers duel, Albion pushed across a pair of runs in the late innings to edge past visiting Lyndonville 2-1 this evening in the Tri County Babe Ruth League playoff championship game.

Trailing 1-0, Albion tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a fielders choice play off the bat of Bailey Blanchard. A leadoff double by Austin Aman and a one out bunt single by Ryan Krenning set up the opportunity.

Albion, which earlier in the game had stranded a runner at third base in the first, second and fourth innings, then plated the game winner in the sixth frame on a two out RBI single by Aman.

Lyndonville third baseman Oskar Heinsler takes the throw as Albion’s Zach Colacecchi slides into third.

Lyndonville did get runners to second and third in the top of the seventh inning after a single by Roman Heinsler, a fielders chocie play, a walk and a couple of stolen bases but could not capitalize.

Albion hurler Thomas Furmanski got out of that jam by registering two clutch game ending strikeouts.

On the night, Furmanski allowed only 1 hit struck out 14 and allowed 6 walks. He notched at least 2 strikeouts in every inning but the second.

Lyndonville hurler Rolland Balcerzak likewise had a strong evening giving up only 4 hits with 11 strikeouts and 5 walks.  He registered a clutch strikeout to get out of further trouble in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Lyndonville’s lone run came in the top of the first inning on  walk and a two out, two base error.

Albion, which entered the playoffs as the top seed after posting a league best 8-1 regular season record, advanced to the title game by defeating Alexander 13-4 in the semifinals while Lyndonville downed Akron Black 10-2.

Albion second baseman Austin Aman puts the tag on Lyndonville’s Jacob Corser.