Albion nips Medina in N-O opener

Barker, Holley/Kendall post shutout wins

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jason Downs slides safely into third base as Medina’s Alex Allis goes high to try to take the throw. The action took place during the Purple Eagles 4-3 win over the Mustangs this afternoon at Vets Park.

Niagara-Orleans League baseball action got off to a chilly start this afternoon as Albion nipped defending champion Medina 4-3 at Vets Park.

Evan Pappalardo picked up the win on the mound for Albion allowing only 2 hits with 7 strikeouts over the first five innings. Brady Meakin came on to hurl the final two frames and allowed 1 hit with 2 strikeouts.

Albion took the lead for good by scoring two quick runs in the first inning on an error and a fielders choice play. A walk and a single by Jaquess Harrison set up the opportunity.

Medina picked up a run on a error in the second inning but Albion quickly extended the advantage to 4-1 by tallying twice in the top of the third on an error and a double steal. An error and another single by Harrison ignited that uprising.

Medina first baseman Tyler Ames awaits the throw as Bryce Pritchard dives back to the bag.

Medina did answer back with two runs in the home half of the third on a pair of errors to cut the deficit to 4-3 but could not pull even.

The Mustangs stranded two runners in both the fifth and seventh innings and another runner was left at third in the sixth frame.

Quentin Adkins went the distance on the mound for Medina allowing 5 hits with 5 strikeouts.

Medina centerfielder Jared Zinkievich was injured while diving for a ball in the second inning and was taken to the hospital.

Medina next hosts CSAT and Albion visits Newfane on Wednesday.

Albion’s Jaquess Harrison slides safely into home as Medina catcher Justin Morgan tries to make the tag.

Barker 1, Wilson 0
Eddie Wasnock went the distance on the mound for Barker as the Raiders nipped Wilson 1-0 in nine innings in another N-O opener.

Wasnock gave up only 3 hits and struck out 12.

Collin Webb had two hits for Barker and scored the games’s only run for the Raiders in the ninth on an error.

Holley/Kendall 6, Elba/Byron-Bergen 0
Dylan Hillabush allowed only 2 hits and struck out 11 over six innings to lead Holley/Kendall to a 6-0 win over Elba/Byron-Bergen in the Genesee Region League opener.

Hillabush and Patrick Bower each had 2 hits for the Hawks.