Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion shortstop Jaquess Harrison makes a diving catch for an out during the Purple Eagles key win over visiting Barker this afternoon.

Gaining a share of first place, Albion blanked visiting Barker 4-0 this afternoon in a key Niagara-Orleans League baseball game.

Albion and Barker are now deadlocked for the N-O lead at 4-1 just ahead of 3-1 Roy-Hart.

Evan Pappalardo went the distance on the mound for Albion hurling a 3 hit shutout with 12 strikeouts. He also helped himself defensively by triggering a fifth inning double play that also included shortstop Jaquess Harrison and first baseman Bryce Pritchard.

Pappalardo also had a big day at the plate banging out 3 hits and driving in a pair of runs.

Pritchard also had a pair of hits and Randy Eblacker a run producing triple for the Purple Eagles.

Albion scored the only run it needed as it turned out in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Vincent Zona. A double by Pappalardo followed by singles by Kyle Smith and Liam Ward set up the opportunity.

Evan Pappalardo delivers a pitch for Albion.

The Purple Eagles quickly made it 3-0 in the third inning by scoring twice with two out as Eblacker tripled in one run and Pappalardo singled in the other.

Pappalardo also singled in Albion’s final run in the fifth frame as a double by Pritchard set up the threat.

Brad Wilson had 2 hits for Barker including a triple in the first inning. However, he was left stranded as Pappalardo registered a key strikeout to end the threat.

The Raiders also got two runners aboard in both the third and fourth innings but both times Pappalardo got out of trouble with an inning ending strikeout.

Barker also got two runners on base in the sixth but the Albion defense came up big to stop the threat as Harrison made a diving catch at shortstop for the final out.

Albion next visits Akron and Barker hosts CSAT on Friday.

Barker’s Brad Wilson slides safely into third base as Albion’s Liam Ward goes high to take the throw.

Wilson 15, Akron 5
Regaining the .500 mark at 2-2 in N-O action, Wilson bested Akron (2-3) 15-5.

Caden Sidote, Jackson Rotella and Haden Holland each had 2 hits for Wilson.

The Wilson also got a pair of double plays from the combination of Brayden Skobjak and Don Bender.

In one other N-O contest, CSAT (2-2) defeated Newfane (0-5) 12-3

N-O Standings

Albion 4-1, Barker 4-1, Roy-Hart 3-1, CSAT 2-2, Wilson 2-2, Akron 2-3, Medina 2-4, Newfane 0-5.

Contributed Photo – Genesee Community College sophomore and Albion High graduate Connor Barleben is joined by Cougars baseball head Coach Skip Sherman as he signs a National Letter of Intent to play baseball with Ashland University.

Genesee Community College baseball pitcher and outfielder Connor Barleben has committed to Ashland University, Ohio after signing a National Letter of Intent with the Eagles to continue his academic and athletic career beginning in the fall.

Barleben, an Albion High graduate, has played in 66 games during his season-plus career at GCC and compiled a .354 batting average with 73 total hits, 10 of them homeruns, and 43 runs batted in.

On the mound, the sophomore has made 14 appearances (10 starts), pitching to a 4-7 overall record with 49 strikeouts and a 5.45 earned run average.

Ashland is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II member school and competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association (GLIAC). The Eagles are coached by John Schaly, currently in his 19th season with the program.

So far this spring, Barleben is batting .355 with 22 runs scored, 20 runs batted in, and four homeruns in 30 games. The Cougars are 6-25 overall and 2-4 in Region III play.

Barleben will receive a scholarship to attend Ashland University.

Scoring in every inning, Lyndonville posted an 11-1 victory over host Webster Christian this afternoon in a non league baseball game.

Corey Hydock went the distance on the mound for the Tigers allowing 5 hits and striking out 7.

Michael Wells and Cody Bentley both had 3 hits and Eric Neace 2 to lead the Lyndonville attack. Wells drove in a total of 3 runs and Neace 2.

Improving to 5-1 overall, Lyndonville next hosts Roy-Hart at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in another non league contest.

Lady Tigers outlast Attica

Holley earned victory No. 1 on the young softball season by nipping host Wheatland-Chili 6-5 this afternoon in a Genesee Region League game.

Snapping a 5-5 deadlock, Holley scored the game winning run in the top of the seventh as Anna Brasted singled, moved to third on a double by Ryley O’Mara and came home on a passed ball.

Brooklynn Bartholomew had 3 hits on the day and O’Mara 2 for the Lady Hawks.

Kassandra Norman picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Hawks striking out 8.

Lyndonville 20, Attica 16
A nine run fifth inning scoring surge highlighted Lyndonville’s 20-16 G-R win at Attica.

Lisa Boyce banged out two triples to lead the Lady Tgiers big inning which also included doubles by Jess Harling and Jenna Doran along with singles by Stacey Buckland, Anna Lewis and Aubrey Lewis.

Buckland, Anna Lewis and Aubrey Lewis each had a total of 3 hits as the Lady Tigers improve to 4-0 in the league.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Charlie Bruning delivers a pitch for Roy-Hart during the Rams win over Medina this afternoon.

Pounding out a total of 22 hits, Roy-Hart romped to an 18-4 victory over visiting Medina this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League baseball game at Gasport.

Roy-Hart took the lead for good by scoring two quick runs in the second inning on doubles by Eric Fitch and winning pitcher Charlie Bruning and a single by Joe Nolan.

The Rams then broke the contest wide open by exploding for 8 runs in the third inning. A bases clearing three-run triple by Ben Maynard capped off that decisive uprising which was ignited by doubles by Andy Xapsos and Fitch.

The big frame also included singles by Justin Heschke, Charlie Bruning, Jake Bruning, Nolan and Al Xapsos along with another double by Andy Xapsos.

Roy-Hart also had a big 6 run fifth frame which included a three-run double by Charlie Bruning, a two-run double by Brendon Hess and an RBI triple by Al Xapsos.

Charlie Bruning, who allowed 5 hits and struck out 4 in four innings of work on the mound, also helped himself at the plate by banning out 4 hits and driving in 5 runs.

Roy-Hart improves to 3-1 while Medina slips to 2-4.

Akron 12, Newfane 11
Regaining the .500 mark at 2-2, Akron outlasted Newfane 12-11 as Jake Cummings singled and came home with the winning run in the seventh inning on an error.

Medina’s Luke Porter dives back to first base as Justin Heschke takes the throw for Roy-Hart.

Swinging the hot bats, Lyndonville posted a 12-2 victory over host Pembroke this afternoon in a Genesee Region League baseball game.

The Tigers pounded out a total of 15 hits including 4 by Eddie Schildt, 3 by Michael Wells and 2 each by Eric Neace and Dawson Joy.

Zach Johnson picked up the win on the mound allowing only 1 hit with 10 stikeouts in five innings of work.

Lyndonville moved on top to stay by scoring three times in the third inning highlighted by a two-run double by Jacob Hoffee.

The Tigers later broke the contest open by scoring five times in the sixth inning as Wells had a two-run single and Joy and Schildt RBI singles.

Now at 1-1 in the league and 4-1 overall, Lyndonville next visits Webster Christian on Wednesday in a non league game.

Oakfield-Alabama 8, Holley/Kendall 0
Oakfield-Alabama scored four times in the second inning on three walks and a pair of doubles to key an 8-0 G-R victory over Holley/Kendall.

Wilson sweeps Medina; Barker and Akron boys tie

Roy-Hart downed visiting Newfane 76-65 this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League boys track meet.

John Stoddard doubled in the 110 hurdles and triple jump and Avery Green in the 800 and 1600 for Roy-Hart which also got wins from Austin Dodge (400), Eugene Bush (200), Zach Srock (high jump) and Ethan Gagne (400 hurdles).

Paul Dunbar was a double winner for Newfane in the 100 and pole vault.

Newfane gained a split on the day by besting Roy-Hart 85-52 in the girls meet.

Emma Lindke doubled in the 100 hurdles and high jump and Amber Villella in the long jump and triple jump for Roy-Hart as Ellie Todd took the pole vault, Ava Bligh the 400 and Kaleigh Kuzma the 400 hurdles.

Wilson swept visiting Medina taking the boys meet 84-57 and the girls competition by a similar score of 85-52.

Trey Rees tripled in the 400, 800 ad 1600 and Alex Fox doubled in the long jump and triple jump to lead the Wilson boys.

Chase Pecoraro was a triple winner in the 110 hurdles, 400 hurdles and long jump and Jalin Cooper doubled in the 100 and 200 for Medina.

Serina Jaeger tripled in the 100, 200 and long jump and Skyler Munnikhuysen doubled in the long jump and triple jump for the Wilson girls.

Medina got double win efforts from Holly Heil in the 400 and 800 and Hannah Heil in the 1500 and 3000.

The Barker and Akron boys teams battled to a 68.5-68.5 tie.

Jake Arnold doubled in the long jump and triple jump and Kirk Fay in the shot-put and discus for Barker.

Akron had a trio of double winners as Ethan PeQueen took the 110 hurdles and 400 hurdles, Kyle Full in the 800 and 1600 and Zach Bell in the 200 and 400.

The Akron girls downed Barker 113-28.

Leah Czechoski tripled in the 100, 200 and long jump and Margo Henley doubled in the 1500 and 3000 and Henri Jones in the shot-put and discus for Akron.

Erin Greenwald doubled for Barker in the 100 hurdles and pole vault.

N-O Standings

Boys – Roy-Hart 2-0, Wilson 2-0, Albion 1-0, Akron 0-0-1, Barker 0-1-1, Medina 0-2, Newfane 0-2.
Girls – Wilson 2-0, Akron 1-0, Albion 1-0, Barker 1-1, Newfane 1-1, Medina 0-2, Roy-Hart 0-2

Staying perfect at 5-0, defending champion Albion edged past host Wilson 3 1/2-2 this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League tennis match.

Albion swept the three doubles matches on victories by the duos of Matt Kovaleski-Emilie Barleben (6-3, 6-1 over Callie Olear-Kierson Skbjak), Matt Flanaghan-Victor Benjovsky (6-1, 6-4 over Rebecca Connors-Max Faery) and Owen Foos-Connor McQuillan (6-0, 6-2 over Mia Olear-Alex Couturier).

The Purple Eagles also took the third singles as Dylan Bader downed Kyla Lyon 7-6, 7-5.

Wilson, which is now 1-3, took the first two singles matches as Jey Hecko downed Daniel Beam 6-3, 6-3 and Gabriel Curcione bested Josh Metzler 6-3, 6-1.

Akron (4-0) 4 1/2, Newfane (0-3) 1
Singles: Ryan Meek (Ak) def. Jeremy Rbbeck 6-2, 6-0; Nathan Chubb (Ak) def. Terrell Atkins 6-0, 6-3; Brandon Meek (Ak) def. Bobby Heers 6-1, 7-5.
Doubles: Cam Seib – Jacob Koithans (N) def. Jacob Meyer – Cierra Janis 7-5, 7-6; Erica Papke – Morgan Wagner (Ak) def. Nick Heimiller – Michelle Schultz 6-2, 6-1; Dustin Earle – Cameron Brooks (Ak) def. Austin Smith – Ashley Danev 6-3, 6-4.

Golf

Kendall 250, Pembroke 302
Kendall defeated Pembroek 250-302 in the Genesee Region League golf opener at Hickory Ridge.

Evan Gaesser took medalist honors with a 37 for Kendall as Jacob Adams had a 46.

Improving to 6-1, Gowanda/Silver Creek posted a 17-11 victory over Medina this afternoon in a Class C Division lacrosse game at Vets Park.

Medina jumped out to a 5-4 lead in the first period as Jake Cotter netted all of the Mustangs tallies.

However, Gowanda/Silver Creek answered back with a 4-1 second period scoring edge to rally into an 8-6 lead at the half.

The Panthers went on to hold a 14-9 lead after three periods.

Cotter finished with a total of 7 goals as Tyler Valley added 3 and Mason Lewis 1.

Now at 3-4, Medina next visits Lew-Port at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart shortstop Kayla Brown tries to tag Medina’s Emily Kams during a steal attempt of second base. The action took place during the host Lady Rams win over the Mustangs this afternoon.

Roy-Hart edged past visiting Medina 7-6 this afternoon to improve to 3-2 in Niagara-Orleans League softball competition.

Maddie Fry and Rielly Albee both had a pair of hits for Roy-Hart in the sea-saw contest.

Medina jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Destiny Satkowski led off the game with a home run.

However, Roy-Hart answered back with two runs in the bottom of the first on a triple by Kayla Brown and an error and the sea-saw battle was on.

Medina went up 3-2 in the top of the third on a two-run single by Emily Kams but Roy-Hart again answered with two runs in the home half of the frame on a sacrifice by Rachael Rausch and a passed ball.

The Lady Rams then went up 6-3 in the fourth as Albee had an RBI single.

This time it was Medina’s turn to rally as the Mustangs retied the contest at 6-6 with three tallies in the fifth on a two-run single by Kayla Cuadra and an RBI single by Kams.

Once again through the Lady Rams answered right back with what proved to be the game winning run in the home half of the frame on a passed ball.

Roy-Hart pitcher Samantha Choate and Kams, who hurled for Medina, both allowed 5 hits and struck out 5.

Medina is now 2-2 in N-O action.

Samantha Choate delivers a pitch for Roy-Hart.

Barker 5, Wilson 4
Barker trimmed Wilson 5-4 in a game that is under protest.

Erika Moeller had 4 hits and Abby Bachman 2 for Barker.

Moeller also picked up the win in relief striking out 4 over the final two innings.

Barker and Wilson are now both 1-3.

Akron 5, Newfane 2
Abby Stone banged out a double and triple and Sydney Leeds had 3 hits to lead Akron (4-0) to a 5-2 win over Newfane (2-2).

Mattie Klein scattered 7 hits and struck out 3 in the circle for the Lady Tigers.