Hamburg tops N-O to win Legion District title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 July 2021 at 11:11 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Niagara-Orleans League’s AJ Seefeldt attempts to tag out Hambug’s Connor McMahon on a steal attempt during this evening’s American Legion district championship at Vets Park.

Hamburg swept to a doubleheader victory over the Niagara-Orleans League squad at Vets Park this evening to capture the American Legion District title.

The N-O squad had taken the first game of the best two out of three title series on the road on Sunday by downing Hamburg 7-0 .

Brian Fry delivers a pitch in relief work on the mound for the N-O squad during the first game.

Hamburg tied the series by taking the first game this evening 7-2.

All of Hamburg’s scoring came in the first two innings. A combination of three hits, two walks and a wild pitch plated three quick runs in the first inning. Three walks, an error, a wild pitch and a single then tacked on four more in the second for a commanding 7-0 lead.

A rash of stranded base runners proved costly for the N-O, which scored once in the fourth on a fielders choice play and once in the seventh on a double by Josh Millville, The N-O left the bases loaded in both the sixth and seventh innings and also had a double play wipe out a bases loaded opportunity in the fifth. Brian Fry had a hit to help load the base in the fifth.

Hamburg then captured the district crown by scoring a narrow 3-2 win in the second game.

The N-O took an early 2-1 lead on a two-run double by AJ Seefeldt in the top of the second inning but could not cross home plate again.

Hamburg tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second and later plated the game winner in the fourth on a walk, a double and a sacrifice fly.

The winning tally came after the N-O had a runner thrown out at home in the top of the fourth as another runner was left stranded at third.

The N-O did get the bases loaded in the top of the seventh on a walk, a single by Seefeldt and another walk but could not capitalize as a strikeout ended the threat and sent Hamburg heading to the state playoffs.