Late rally lifts Mustangs past Billies

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Justin Morgan slides into third base during the Mustangs come-from-behind win over Williamsville South this afternoon at Vets Park. The South third baseman is Luke Corona.

Putting together a late rally, Medina nipped Williamsville South 4-3 this afternoon in a non league season opening game at Vets Park.

Medina first rallied to tie the game with two runs in the sixth, then escaped a bases loaded jam in the top of the seventh and finally plated the game winner in the bottom of the seventh on back-to-back doubles by Lawson Fenton and Kyle Herman.

South had jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a two out, two run single in the bottom of the third. A single and two walks, all with two out, set up the threat for the Billies.

Medina did cut the deficit to 2-1 on an RBI double by Matt Riemer in the bottom of the fourth but South got that one right back on three straight singles to open the fifth.

However, the Mustangs got out of further trouble in the frame on a double play from shortstop Quentin Adkins to second baseman Izaiah Rhim followed by an inning ending strikeout by Jason Hellwig.

South again got two runners aboard in the top of the sixth after back-to-back two out singles but Hellwig kept it a close 3-1 game by registering another inning ending strikeout.

Medina then battled back into a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth. A leadoff double by Hellwig followed by walks to Josh Scroger and Riemer loaded the bases and the Mustangs were able to capitalize. Justin Morgan then drove in Hellwig on a fielders choice play and Adkins also scored on the play off a South error knotting the contest at 3-3.

Josh Scroger delivers a pitch for Medina in the seventh inning.

The Billies though quickly mounted a big threat in the top of the seventh getting the bases loaded with no outs on a single and two walks but the Mustangs defense came up big to stymie the threat.

The Mustangs got a bit of a gift for the first out as South gambled and lost on an attempt to steal home as catcher Morgan made the tag.

Scroger, who had come on in relief of Hellwig when the bases became loaded, then quickly got out of the jam by getting the next South batter to hit into a clutch inning ending double play which went from Hellwig at shortstop to Riemer at first.

Keeping the momentum, the Mustangs quickly scored the game winner in the bottom of the seventh as Fenton doubled with one out and came home on a double by Herman.

Hellwig allowed 8 hits with 8 strikeouts and 7 walks in six plus innings on the mound.

Medina next hosts Lyndonville in another non league game at 2 p.m. Friday.