Albion ousts Medina in Midget ‘A’ playoff contest

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s JJ Downs dives back into first base as Medina’s Matt Riemer takes the throw. The action took place during Albion’s playoff win over Medina this evening at the Barre Town Park.

Moving on top to stay with a big second inning scoring surge, No. 3 seed Albion went on to defeat No. 6 Medina 9-4 this evening in a Lockport Midget ‘A’ League quarterfinal round playoff game at Barre Town Park.

Medina grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Matt Riemer but Albion answered right back with a six run scoring burst in the decisive second inning to take command.

A leadoff double by Aaron Burnside followed by an RBI triple by winning pitcher Austin Loyd ignited Albion’s big uprising which also included a single by Kyle Smith, two runs off errors, an RBI single by Dom DiCureia and a run producing fielders choice play off the bat of Pete Madafferi.

Smith and DiCureia both had 2 hits in the game.

Albion’s Nate Moore scores as Medina catcher Justin Morgan tries to make the tag.

Medina got the bases loaded in the top of the third on two walks and a single by Devonte Howard but could score only one run as Loyd got out of the jam with a clutch inning ending strikeout. Howard had two hits on the night.

Albion boosted its advantage to 9-2 by scoring three times in the fourth on a two-run single by DiCureia and an RBI single by Madafferi. A leadoff double by Andy Ashworth sparked that rally.

Loyd pitched the first six innings allowing just 3 hits and striking out 13.

Ironically this was the first meeting of the season between the two diamond rivals as both regular season contests were rained out.

Albion will next visit No. 2 Lyndonville in the semifinals. That game is expected to be played at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Albion’s Dom DiCureia tries to get out of a run down against Medina defenders Tyler Howard and Matt Riemer.

 Lockport 8, Akron 6

No. 4 Lockport defeated No. 5 Akron 8-6 in the other quarterfinal game as Jay McDermott belted two home runs and drove in a total of six runs.

Charles Demartz pitched 4 innings striking out 5.

Lockport next visits top seeded Roy-Hart in the semifinals on Tuesday.