Banes tops Jr Wilson to claim ‘A’ playoff title

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Banes players and coaches celebrate after capturing the ‘A’ League playoff championship Saturday with a pair of wins over Jr. Wilson. In front are Rylee VanNotrand, Sam Heschke, Connie Heschke and Lindsay Chatt. In the middle row are Jami Chatt, Robin Blaun, Kathy Allen, Morgan Allis, Patti Page, Amy Allis, Rileigh McCabe, Jen Masse and Sue Seefeldt. In back are Mark Allen and Bruce Seefeldt.

Completing a sweep, regular season front-runner Banes swept a doubleheader from Jr. Wilson by scores of 20-11 and 9-3 Saturday to capture the Medina Women’s Softball ‘A’ League playoff championship.

Banes, which took top honors during the regular season with an 8-2 record, used a fast start with 6 runs in the first inning and a strong finish with 7 runs in the seventh to claim the win in the title round opener.

Robin Blaun had 5 hits, Lindsay Chatt, Sue Seefeldt, Jen Masse and Morgan Allis 4 and Amy Allis 3 to lead the way for Banes.

Sara Flansburg and Chasity Chinn both had 4 hits for Jr. Wilson.

Banes likewise got off to a fast start in the decisive second game taking the lead for good with 4 runs in the first inning on hits by Connie Heschke, Seefeldt, Lindsay Chatt, Jami Chatt and an error.

The lead increased to 9-1 as Banes tallied twice in the second on a triple by Rylee VanNostrand and an error and three times in the third on a double by Masse, a sacrifice fly by Kathy Allen and a single by Morgan Allis.

Heschke and Jami Chatt both had 3 hits and Blaun and McCabe 2 each.

The sweep avenged Banes 8-4 loss to Jr. Wilson in the winners bracket final. Flansburg and Michele Crandall both had 3 hits for Jr. Wilson.

In the opening round, Banes defeated Poler’s Pub 15-3 and Jr. Wilson edged White Birch 6-5.

Playing with only 8 players, White Birch got 3 hits from Aubrey Lewis including a double and triple and 2 hits each by Maddy Boyle, Kenzie Muck and Jenahlee Riemer.

In round two, White Birch lost to Poler’s Pub 16-3. Morgan Ralph, Mallory Albone and Anna Lewis each had a pair of hits for White Birch.

Banging out hits in the title round are Rylee VanNostrand from Banes, left, and Sara Flansburg for Jr. Wilson.