Roy-Hart hurlers notch no hitter

Albion pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to outlast visiting Wilson 16-15 in a wild Niagara-Orleans League softball opener this afternoon.

Meghan Hurley singled in the winning run for the Purple Eagles in the seventh after hits by Natalie DiCureia and Ashlee Bocach and an error had loaded the bases.

Olivia Prest had 4 hits on the day for Albion as Hurley, DiCureia and Brylie Hapeman each added 3 and Bocach, Isabella Prest and Ellen Narburgh 2 each. DiCureia had a total of 5 runs batted in.

Defending champion Roy-Hart opened N-O competition with a 15-0 victory over visiting CSAT as pitchers Lexie Lovewell and Samantha Choate combined to hurl a no hitter with 13 strikeouts.

Delaney Draper had 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, for the Lady Rams as Kayla Brown and Rielly Albee both added 2 hits, including doubles.

Roy-Hart, which scored in every inning, tallied 4 quick runs in the opening frame highlighted by a two-run single by Albee.

In one Genesee Region League opener, Attica blanked Holley 24-0.

Brooklynn Bartholomew, Ryley O’Mara and Anna Brasted each had a hit for Holley.

Barker, Holley/Kendall post shutout wins

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Jason Downs slides safely into third base as Medina’s Alex Allis goes high to try to take the throw. The action took place during the Purple Eagles 4-3 win over the Mustangs this afternoon at Vets Park.

Niagara-Orleans League baseball action got off to a chilly start this afternoon as Albion nipped defending champion Medina 4-3 at Vets Park.

Evan Pappalardo picked up the win on the mound for Albion allowing only 2 hits with 7 strikeouts over the first five innings. Brady Meakin came on to hurl the final two frames and allowed 1 hit with 2 strikeouts.

Albion took the lead for good by scoring two quick runs in the first inning on an error and a fielders choice play. A walk and a single by Jaquess Harrison set up the opportunity.

Medina picked up a run on a error in the second inning but Albion quickly extended the advantage to 4-1 by tallying twice in the top of the third on an error and a double steal. An error and another single by Harrison ignited that uprising.

Medina first baseman Tyler Ames awaits the throw as Bryce Pritchard dives back to the bag.

Medina did answer back with two runs in the home half of the third on a pair of errors to cut the deficit to 4-3 but could not pull even.

The Mustangs stranded two runners in both the fifth and seventh innings and another runner was left at third in the sixth frame.

Quentin Adkins went the distance on the mound for Medina allowing 5 hits with 5 strikeouts.

Medina centerfielder Jared Zinkievich was injured while diving for a ball in the second inning and was taken to the hospital.

Medina next hosts CSAT and Albion visits Newfane on Wednesday.

Albion’s Jaquess Harrison slides safely into home as Medina catcher Justin Morgan tries to make the tag.

Barker 1, Wilson 0
Eddie Wasnock went the distance on the mound for Barker as the Raiders nipped Wilson 1-0 in nine innings in another N-O opener.

Wasnock gave up only 3 hits and struck out 12.

Collin Webb had two hits for Barker and scored the games’s only run for the Raiders in the ninth on an error.

Holley/Kendall 6, Elba/Byron-Bergen 0
Dylan Hillabush allowed only 2 hits and struck out 11 over six innings to lead Holley/Kendall to a 6-0 win over Elba/Byron-Bergen in the Genesee Region League opener.

Hillabush and Patrick Bower each had 2 hits for the Hawks.

Rainy weather has caused the postponement of today’s Albion vs. Medina Niagara-Orleans League baseball and softball games.

The baseball game has been rescheduled for Tuesday at a site to be determined tomorrow depending on field conditions.

The softball game has been rescheduled for April 25 at Medina.

The Albion at Roy-Hart tennis match has also been rescheduled for Wednesday.

The remainder of today’s slate of N-O baseball and softball games has also been washed out including Barker vs. Wilson, Akron vs. Newfane and Roy-Hart vs. CSAT.

The Barker at Wilson baseball game has been rescheduled for Tuesday and the Wilson at Barker softball game for April 19.

In addition, the Holley at Lyndonville Genesee Region League softball game and the Webster Christian at Lyndonville non league baseball game have also been postponed.

Indoor Soccer League action

Finishing the regular season on a high note, Medina 2 trimmed Reid’s Drive-In 5-3 in Lockport Indoor Soccer League action at the Kenan Center over the weekend.

Chase Pecoraro scored 2 goals while Zach Laird and Matt Doherty each added 1 for Medina 2 which winds up the regular season at 4-3-1.

Medina 2 will next begin playoff action on Thursday against Zimmi’s Auto Service.

Medina 1, which had already locked up the regular season title, dropped a 4-2 decision to Lockport Orthodontics.

Brian Anderson and Nick Albone each scored a goal for Medina 1 which finishes the regular season at 7-1.

Medina 1 will open playoff competition on Friday against the winner of Thursday’s first round contest between Reid’s Drive-In and Image Collision.

Building up a 14-5 half-time advantage, defending champion Akron went on to down visiting Medina 22-7 this afternoon in a rainy Class C Division lacrosse game.

The Abrams brothers, Gates and Weylon, combined for a total of 11 goals to spearhead the attack for Akron which led 6-3 after one quarter and 19-6 after three periods.

Medina got one goal each from seven different players including Jake Cotter, Coby Albone, Tyler Valley, Johnny Salone, Brendan Luthart, Mason Lewis and Greg Husung.

Akron stays perfect at 4-0 while Medina slips to 1-3.

The Mustangs next host Lew-Port at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Photo By Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Destiny Satkowski and her Mustang softball teammates will face rival Albion on Monday. The Mustangs and Purple Eagles will also meet on the baseball diamond Monday.

Weather permitting Medina and Albion will renew their rivalry on the baseball and softball diamonds Monday in the Niagara-Orleans League season openers.

The Medina baseball squad will begin defense of its N-O title at Albion at 4:45 p.m. Medina went 12-2 last spring to claim the title for the first time since 1995.

The Mustangs softball squad will host the Purple Eagles also at 4:45 p.m.

Medina will also host Albion in the N-O track opener on Thursday at 4:15 p.m.

The week’s rivalry contests will also see the Lyndonville softball squad host Holley on Monday and visit Kendall on Tuesday, both at 4:30 p.m.

The Albion tennis team will begin defense of its N-O title at Roy-Hart on Monday.

The busiest team of the week will likely be the Medina lacrosse squad which has four games scheduled in five days including a road contest at defending champion Akron Monday and then home games against West Seneca West on Tuesday, Lew-Port on Wednesday and Salamanca on Friday.

The week’s schedule:

Monday
Baseball – Webster Christian at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; Medina at Albion, Barker at Wilson, Newfane at Akron, Roy-Hart at CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
Softball – Holley at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; Albion at Medina, Wilson at Barker, CSAT at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; Akron at Newfane, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Albion at Roy-Hart, Holley at Byron-Bergen, Elba at Kendall, 4 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Akron, 5 p.m.

Tuesday
Baseball – Williamsville North at Roy-Hart, Holley/Kendall at Elba/Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
Softball – Lyndonville at Kendall, Holley at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; Albion at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
Tennis – Newfane at Albion, Roy-Hart at Medina, Akron at Wilson, Attica at Holley, 4 p.m.

Wednesday
Baseball – Albion at Newfane, Roy-Hart at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; Akron at Barker, 5 p.m.; CSAT at Medina, 7 p.m.
Softball – Newfane at Albion, Medina at CSAT, Barker at Akron, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.
Tennis – Notre Dame at Kendall, 4 p.m.; Medina at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
Track – Pembroke and Elba/Byron-Bergen at Holley, Kendall at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.
Lacrosse– Lew-Port at Medina, 5 p.m.

Thursday
Baseball – Barker at Byron-Bergen, Lyndonville at Northeast, 4:30 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Akron, 4:45 p.m.
Softball – Lyndonville at Notre Dame, Kendall at Elba, Alexander at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; Barker at Medina ,4:45 p.m.; Akron at Roy-Hart, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Albion at Barker, Roy-Hart at Akron, Pembroke at Holley, 4 p.m.
Track – Albion at Medina, Roy-Hart at Barker, Newfane at Wilson, 4:15 p.m.
Golf – Kendall at Churchville-Chili, 4 p.m.

Friday
Baseball – Northstar at Lyndonville, Pembroke at Holley/Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; Medina at Barker, CSAT at Albion, 4:45 p.m.
Softball – Albion at CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
Tennis – Oakfield-Alabama at Holley, Alexander at Kendall, 4 p.m.
Lacrosse – Salamanca at Medina, 5 p.m.

Saturday
Baseball – Roy-Hart at St. Mary’s Lancaster, 11 a.m.; Holley/Kendall at Geneseo, 12 p.m.
Softball – Kenmore West at Albion, Kendall at Holley, 11 a.m.
Track – Albion and Holley at Alexander Invitational, Medina at Buffalo Invitational

Contributed Photos – Medina High senior Charles Beach, right, and Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams received the Call To Courage Award Saturday which was created by former Bills quarterback Frank Reich.

Strong on the athletic fields and in the classroom and also in his ability to cope and deal with a number of major challenges in his home life over the years is a combination which has earned Medina High senior Charles Beach the High School Call To Courage Award which was created by former Buffalo Bills quarterback Frank Reich.

Beach and Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams received the Call To Courage Award in ceremonies held Saturday in Buffalo. The award honors the recipients exemplary character, service to the community and commitment to one’s faith.

Athletically, Beach has demonstrated plenty of talent both on the gridiron and the wrestling mat. A four year varsity starter, he earned first team B East Division and Honorable Mention all Western New York honors in football last fall. Over the winter season he captured a Section VI title and went on to earn third place honors at the state wrestling championships. This spring he is a member of the Mustangs tennis team.

He has also shown plenty of courage and fortitude in dealing with a series of challenges in his home life. Growing up without a father, his mother passed away when he was in eighth grade and two years later his grandmother, who was caring for him, passed away leaving him in the care of an aunt.

His aunt applied for and was accepted into the Habitat For Humanity program which requires applicants to contribute some of their own time and labor to transform an old house into a home. It was an endeavor into which Charles poured plenty of work and pride into in order to, as Medina High Athletic Director Eric Valley notes, “ensure that he and his great aunt would finally have a nice place to live and call their own.”

Beach here signs autographs for young fans at the awards ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency in Buffalo.

Valley added that Charles has also been very active in volunteering his time to work with the youth football and wrestling programs and also spends time volunteering for “Camp Smile” which is an organization that organizes Olympic style games for physically challenged kids.

“Charles does all this with a big smile on his face and an even bigger heart,” said Valley. “He genuinely enjoys helping and working with the younger student athletes and has a great rapport with them.”

Having taken his SATs, Charles is now looking toward continuing his athletic career in college, possibly to wrestle at SUNY Brockport.

Valley notes that Charles has been involved in SUNY Brockport’s Upward Bound Program which, he adds, ” is for kids that otherwise might not have the support or opportunities to continue into higher education.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” said Valley, who nominated Charles for the award. “With all the adversity he’s gone through. He has had to endure more than his fair share of heartache in his 18 years, yet it has never slowed him down. Charles embodies the ideals that the Call To Courage Award represents. He is an amazing young man who has probably taught me more than I could ever teach him, and for that I am truly blessed.”

Photos by Mike Wertman

GIRLS SWIMMING – Compiling a composite average of 96.451, members of the Medina High girls swim squad have earned a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar/Athlete Team Award. In front are Marguerite Brakenbury, Alissa Blount, Madison Kenward, Sarah Cochrane, Shelby Green and Ashlee Howell. In back are Cora Payne, Alyssa Beyer, Haylee Cogovan, Grace Masse and Morgan Roach. Missing from the photo are Emma Gardner, Brooklyn Brown and Gracie Cogovan.

GIRLS BASKETBALL – Members of the Medina girls varsity basketball team have compiled a composite average of 93.583 to earn a NYSPHSAA Scholar/Athlete Team Award. In front are Martha Gardner, Kathryn Bilicki, Davina Birch and Allison Bensley. In back are Maddy Williams, Madeline Winters and Molley Gross.

BOYS SWIMMING – Compiling a composite average of 91.054, members of the Medina boys swim squad have earned a NYSPHSAA Scholar/Athlete Team Award. In front are Dawson Brown, Kristian Snyder, Trevor Hare, Damian Norrish and Daniel Heil. In back are Mason Pecoraro, Kevin Capstick, Chase Pecoraro, Jack Hill and Ray Paull. Missing from the photo is Powell Stephens.

WRESTLING – Members of the Medina varsity wrestling squad have compiled a composite average of 90.179 to earn a NYSPHSAA Scholar/Athlete Team Award. In front are Ian Joseph, Charles Beach, Jacob Bensley and Da’John Brown. In back are Bobby Geiger, Chaise Prest, Christian Silversmith, Tim Roy and Elijah Sones. Missing from the photo is Brooklyn Moore.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Medina’s Vets Park was covered with a fresh blanket of white this morning capping off a weather plagued week that has caused dozens of area high school sports event postponements and cancellations.

The light blanket of new snow this morning provided an almost appropriate cap on a wintery weather week which has raised havoc with early season high school sports schedules thanks to a combination of snow, rain and cold temperatures.

In all over 40 area high school baseball, softball, tennis and lacrosse contests were either postponed or cancelled over the last five days due to the weather.

“It’s what we deal with almost every spring. That’s living in Western New York and we’re used to it,” said Albion High Athletic Director Randy Knaak. “For me as an A.D. it just means a little more paperwork and a few more phone calls but the ones I really feel for the most in times like this are the coaches and players. After all, the coaches and players don’t know from one day to the next if they’ll have a game or will be practicing indoors. They are the ones I really feel for.”

The most recent postponements were today’s scheduled Niagara-Orleans League baseball and softball openers matching Medina vs. Newfane, Albion vs. Wilson and Akron vs. CSAT as well as Lyndonville’s baseball and softball games against Barker and Elba respectively and the Medina vs. Gowanda/Silver Creek lacrosse game.

However, if there was one bright spot, at least for N-O athletic directors, it is that the league lost only one round of baseball, softball and tennis contests. Had a week of bad weather like this come later in the season, when two or three rounds of games could have been lost, then the task of putting together a make-up schedule would have been much more challenging.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Jake Cotter looks to go around Eden defender Samuel Kidder during the Mustangs overtime loss to the Raiders this afternoon at Vets Park.

Goals in the final minute of the fourth quarter and in the overtime period earned Eden a 10-9 victory over host Medina this afternoon in a Class C Division lacrosse game at Vets Park.

Trailing 9-8, Eden pulled even on a goal by Joushua Plarr with just 31 seconds to go in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders then netted the game winner on Dan Cuddihy’s fourth goal of the game with only 54 seconds to go in the first overtime period.

Medina had grabbed a 9-8 lead with 4:31 to go in the fourth period on a goal by Mason Lewis but the Mustangs could not score again.

The victory keeps Eden perfect at 3-0 as Medina slips to 1-2 with both of the losses coming in overtime.

Jake Cotter led the Medina offense with 4 goals as Brendan Luthart added 2 and Lewis, Coby Albone and Tyler Valley 1 each.

Medina’s Brendan Luthart works the ball around behind the Eden net as Tyler Schmitz defends for the Raiders.

The teams traded goals three times in the opening period which finished deadlocked at 3-3. Cotter scored twice and Luthart once for the Mustangs during that stretch.

Another goal by Cotter gave Medina a 4-3 lead with 6:20 to go in the second period but Eden countered with three tallies in the final four minutes, two by Cuddihy, to take a 6-4 lead at the half.

Rebounding, Medina erupted for four straight goals to open the second half on consecutive tallies by Cotter, Albone, Valley and Luthart, to regain an 8-6 lead.

However, the Mustangs could not hold the advantage as the Raiders scored the final goal of the third period and the first of the fourth, on a tally by Henri Young, to retie the contest at 8-8.

Medina did regain the lead one last time at 9-8 on the goal by Lewis but the final two tallies and the victory belonged to Eden.

Medina next visits Gowanda/Silver Creek on Friday and defending champion Akron on Monday.

Tennis

Wheatland-Chili 5, Kendall 0
Wheatland-Chili won all five matches in straight sets to blank Kendall 5-0 this afternoon in a Genesee Region League tennis match.