Albion scores narrow win in sectional opener

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Melia Prince bangs out the first of her three hits as the Purple Eagles claimed a narrow 12-11 home field win over Dunkirk in the sectional opener this afternoon.

Surviving a scare, No. 8 seed Albion nipped No. 9 Dunkirk 12-11 in the opening round of the Section VI Class A2 softball tournament at Albion this afternoon.

Albion, which held on after building up leads of 9-0 and 12-7, will now visit No. 1 Iroquois in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

A huge 7 run third inning, highlighted by a double by Melia Prince and singles by Elizabeth Colmenero, Leah Pawlak and Lux Froman, helped the Purple Eagles build up the early 9-0 lead.

However, Dunkirk came rallying back to slice that lead to 9-7 as a two-run double by Camryn Krzanowicz capped off a 4 run fourth inning which ignited the comeback.

Rebounding, Albion scored 5 huge runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to go up 12-7 as a three-run triple by Pawlak keyed that uprising.

Dunkirk though made the finish exciting by scoring 4 times in the top of the seventh highlighted by a three-run triple by Gracie Grann to slice the Albion lead to just one at 12-11.

The Purple Eagles though weathered the storm as pitcher Aubrielle Barry registered two clutch strikeouts and then got the game’s finale out on a grounder back to the circle.

Prince finished with 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, and Pawlak 2.

Albion third baseman Leah Pawlak makes a throw to first at left. At right, Aaliyah Jones makes a catch in centerfield.

Alden 12, Medina 0
No. 2 seed Alden jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first two innings to key a 12-0 win over No. 15 Medina in a Class B opener at Alden.

A triple by Brooklyn Jankowski and a two-run double by Molly Earsing keyed a 4 run first inning for Alden and a three-run homer by Ashley Eberth keyed a 5 run second inning.

Cordelia Mann hurled a 2 hitter with 9 strikeouts for Alden.

A double by Savannah Jo Thompson and a single by Karlee Cau were Medina’s only hits.

Roy-Hart 4, Salamanca 3 (9)
No. 5 Roy-Hart edged No. 12 Salamanca 4-3 in 9 innings in another Class B contest.

The Lady Rams scored the game winner in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single by Hannah Verratti. A single by Peyton May and an error set up the opportunity.

Also in Class B, No. 10 Akron downed No. 7 Performing Arts 23-3 and No. 3 Allegany-Limestone blanked No. 14 Newfane 12-0.