Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Makenzie Muck, left, started in the circle for Lyndonville and Emily Kams for Medina during the visiting Mustangs non league win over the Lady Tigers this afternoon.

A pair of five run innings keyed Medina to a 14-2 victory over host Lyndonville this afternoon in the season opening non league softball game for both teams.

Breaking away from a 1-1 deadlock, Medina moved on top to stay by scoring five runs in the fourth inning highlighted by a two-run single by Davina Birch and an RBI single by Lexi Neuman.

Medina’s Davina Birch slides safely into home as Makenzie Muck tries to make the tag for Lyndonville.

The Mustangs then put a lock on the win by scoring five times in the sixth keyed by hits by Emily Kams, Allison Bensley and Neuman.

Bensley and Destiny Satkowski both had three hits on the day. Satkowski’s hits included an RBI triple in the first inning and a double.

Miranda Lembcke had an RBI triple for Lyndonville in the bottom of the first inning which knotted the contest at 1-1.

Kams pitched the first four innings striking out 6 and Ryenn Oliver hurled the final three frames fanning 3.

Lyndonville’s Lisa Boyce tags Emly Kams out at third base.

Albion 10, Aquinas 4
Kelsee Soule hurled a complete game three hitter with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk to help lead host Albion to a 10-4 non league victory over Aquinas.

Albion, which improves to 2-0, jumped out to an early lead by scoring 4 runs in the second inning highlighted by a double by Natalie DiCureia and a single by Kassidy Hastings.

Hastings and Meghan Hurley both had 2 hits on the day for the Purple Eafgles. Hurley’s hits included a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Elba 13, Barker 0
Elba blanked host Barker 13-0 in a non league game as Carli Bogue hurlled a 2 hitter with 13 strikeouts.

Mary Rounds and Abby Bachman both had doubles for Barker.

Baseball

Pembroke 7, Barker 6
Pembroke scored twice in the top of the seventh inning and then got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the frame to nip host Barker 7-6 in a non league baseball game.

Trailing 5-1, Barker had rallied into a 6-5 lead by scoring five times in the home half of the sixth inning capped off by a two-run single by Devon Mangan.

Now at 1-1, Barker is scheduled to visit Roy-Hart at 4:45 p.m. Monday to open the Niagara-Orleans League season.

Roaring out to a 7-0 first quarter lead, Medina went on to defeat host Wilson 16-2 this afternoon in a Class C Division lacrosse game.

Tyler Valley scored 3 goals, Jake Cotter 2 and Brendan Luthart and Mike Carson 1 each to spark the Mustangs out to the commanding opening period lead.

Medina went on to hold leads of 13-0 at the half and 15-1 after three quarters.

Valley finished with a total of 5 goals and Luthart 4 as Cotter, Carson and Mason Lewis each added 2 and Dylan Lewis 1.

Medina is now 1-1 and Wilson 0-2 in C Division action.

The Mustangs next host West Seneca West in a non league game at 5 p.m. Monday.

Photos by Mike Wertman – Leading the Albion girls track team into the Niagara-Orleans League title chase this season will be this veteran contingent. In front are Meredith Patterson, Emily Blanchard and Katie Rustay. In back are Chanyce Powell, Mariah Elsenheimer, Aleah Foos and Mahogany Taylor.

Coming off 4-2 seasons last year, the Albion girls and boys track teams both return large contingents of All-League meet place finishers with which to make a run at Niagara-Orleans League titles this spring.

The girls return the N-O champion 400 meter relay team intact with the foursome of seniors Mariah Elsenheimer and Mahogany Taylor along with juniors Chanyce Powell and Emily Blanchard.

That quartet also makes the Purple Eagles strong in both the jumps and the sprints as Elsenheimer was first in the 100 and third in the 200; Powell first in the triple jump, second in the long jump and sixth in the high jump; Taylor first in the high jump, second in 100 hurdles and seventh in the triple jump and Blanchard sixth in the 400.

Senior Aleah Foos also placed second in the high jump while junior Katie Rustay won the pole vault and senior Meredith Patterson took second in the 3000 and sixth in the 1500.

The Purple Eagles also also looking to junior Nicole Eldred in the throws, sophomore Makayla Armstrong in the sprints and freshman Emma Mathes in the distance events.

The Albion boys squad is led by this quintet of, from left, Tommy Mattison, Lamar Chambers, Manwell Taylor, Tyler Nashburn and Bailey Maier.

Senior Nate Trembley, who won the shot-put and placed second in the discus, heads the Albion boys contingent of All-League meet place finishers which also includes seniors Manwell Taylor (3rd in triple jump), Lamar Chambers (3rd in 400 hurdles), Cody Osborne (5th in 100) and Bailey Maier (5th in pole vault) along with juniors Nick Reed (3rd in 400), Tyler Nashburn (4th in shot-put, 6th in 110 hurdles) and sophomore Hayden Pecoraro (4th in 400 hurdles).

The Purple Eagles are also looking to junior Tommy Mattison in the sprints and to seniors Israel Florentino, Mike Laine and Jared Hollinger in the throws.

Albion is scheduled to begin N-O competition at Medina on April 14.

Schedule:
April 14 – at Medina, 4:15 p.m.
April 16 – at Alexander Invitational
April 26 – Wilson, 4:15 p.m.
April 28 – at Akron, 4:15 p.m.
May 3 – Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.
May 5 – at Newfane, 4:15 p.m.
May 10 – Barker, 4:15 p.m.
May 14 – at Rush-Henreitta Invitational
May 18 and 19 – N-O All-League meet at Roy-Hart

Contributed Photo – Kyle Smith

Albion High senior Kyle Smith has made a commitment to continue his academic and football career at Ithaca College.

Smith was a four year starter and captain his junior and senior years for the Purple Eagles. He played quarterback all four years and defensive back his junior and senior years as well.

“Kyle is the kind of kid you want in your program and has worked so very hard to get what he has achieved. Every workout, practice and film session was done to maximize his growth as a player and it worked out in his favor,” said Albion Coach Gary Parisi. “Coach Welch liked Kyle on film, met him and is planning on using him as a slot receiver.”

Smith has received many awards in his football career including The Richard Diminuco Award his junior and senior years for being an example of what Albion football is all about. This year he also received the Sportsmanship award in Section VI “B” North and All-League.

“You don’t replace a kid like Kyle and what he has done for the school and community, you just move on,” said Parisi.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading the Medina/Lyndonville track teams into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season is this contingent of veterans. In front are Jalin Cooper and Holly Heil. In back are Emma Gardner, Chase Pecoraro, Daniel Heil and Martha Gardner.

A small group of top five All-League meet place finishers anchors the lineup for the Medina/Lyndonville track teams which are prepping for the Niagara-Orleans League season.

Sophomore Jalin Cooper, who won the 200 and placed second in the 100 at the All-League meet, heads the boys squad’s group of All-League place finishers which also includes senior Chase Pecoraro (3rd in 110 hurdles and pole vault), junior Emmanuel Sones (4th in high jump) and sophomore Daniel Heil (5th in 3200).

The Mustangs underclassmen dominated lineup also looks to juniors Dustin Hinkley (middle distance) and Adam Cefelli (middle distance); sophomores Jack Hill (distance), Connor Miller (jumps) and Jake Bensley (distance) along with freshmen Johnny Salone (jumps, middle distance), Ronnie Koonce (sprints), Daryl Haynes (jumps) and William Brazzell (jumps).

Senior Holly Heil, who won the 400 and placed second in the 800, leads the girls All-League place finishers which also includes senior Emma Gardner (3rd in discus) and junior Chelsea Donley (4th in 400 hurdles).

The Mustangs are also looking to senior Stella Russo (sprints), juniors Martha Gardner (distance) and Abby Newman and freshmen Je’ne Brown (sprints, jumps) and Maddie Williams (sprints, jumps).

The boys team went 4-2 in N-O competition last spring and the girls squad 1-5.

The Mustangs are scheduled to host rival Albion in the N-O opener on April 14.

Schedule:
April 14 – Albion, 4:15 p.m.
April 19 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
April 26 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
April 28 – Barker, 4:15 p.m.
May 3 – Akron, 4:15 p.m.
May 10 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
May 18 and 19 – All-League meet at Roy-Hart

Lyndonville rolls past Wilson

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Ryan Voss races to tag out Sammy Lammes of Holley/Kendall during the host Raiders non league win this afternoon.

A quick four run first inning scoring burst ignited Barker to a 7-0 victory over visiting Holley/Kendall this afternoon in a season opening non league baseball game.

A two-run homer by Jake Meister capped off the decisive first inning as a wild pitch and a fielders choice play off the bat of Chauncy McKee plated the first two runs.

The Raiders tacked on three insurance runs in the third inning on an RBI single by McKee and a pair of bases loaded walks.

Singles by Ryan Voss helped to ignite both scoring bursts.

Dylan Hillabush of Holley/Kendall reaches high to catch the ball as Barker’s Chauncy McKee runs to first base.

Eddie Wasnock pitched the first five innings for Barker allowing just two hits with 5 strikeouts and no walks. Mike Snell hurled the final two frames giving up 1 hit with 1 strikeout and 1 walk.

Dylan Hillabush had a double for Holley/Kendall.

The game was the debut contest for the newly merged Holley/Kendall squad.

Barker is scheduled to host Pembroke at 4:30 p.m. Friday in another non league contest.

Eddie Wasnock delivers a pitch for Barker.

Lyndonville 14, Wilson 5
Scoring in every inning, Lyndonville posted a 14-5 victory over visiting Wilson in another non league opener.

Zach Johnson and Eric Neace both had 3 hits and Jacob Hoffee 2 to lead the Lyndonville attack. Johnson’s hits included a pair of doubles as Eddie Schildt also banged out a double.

Wilson jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning but Lyndonville came battling back moving on top to stay at 5-4 on a two-run single by Neace in the third inning.

The Tigers quickly tacked on three runs in the fourth highlighted by a two-run single by Johnson.

Lyndonville capped off the win with four runs in the sixth frame as Hoffee had a two-run single.

Hoffee, Mike Wells and Johnson shared the pitching chores for Lyndonville which is next scheduled to host Roy-Hart at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Tyler Valley drives toward the East Aurora goal during the Mustangs double overtime loss to the Blue Devils this afternoon at Vets Park.

A late scoring drought proved costly as Medina dropped a 12-11 double overtime decision to visiting East Aurora this afternoon at Vets Park in the Class C Division season opener.

Medina tied the game at 11-11 with 4:40 to go in the fourth quarter on a goal by Jake Cotter but could not score again.

Neither team could score in the first four minute overtime. However, East Aurora finally broke the deadlock as Gish netted the game winner for the Blue Devils late in the second overtime period.

Cotter finished with a total of 5 goals for the Mustangs as Brendan Luthart and Tyler Valley both scored 3.

Medina had jumped out to a 6-3 first period lead as Luthart scored 3 goals, Cotter 2 and Valley 1.

East Aurora though came battling back to first cut the deficit to one at 7-6 at the half and then to knot the contest at 8-8 at the three-quarter mark.

The Mustangs regained the lead twice in the fourth period, first at 9-8 on a goal by Valley, and then at 10-9 on a tally by Cotter but could not hold the advantage as East Aurora quickly answered with the equalizer both times.

The Blue Devils took a 11-10 lead but 4:58 remaining but Medina quickly answered with the equalizer just 18 seconds later as Cotter tallied what proved to be the Mustangs last goal.

Medina next visits Wilson at 5 p.m. Friday.

Mason Lewis brings the ball up field for the Mustangs.

Photo by Mike Wertman – This upperclassmen trio of Brooklynn Bartholomew, Anna Brasted and Brianna Barber will help lead Holley into the upcoming Genesee Region League softball season.

The accent is certainly on youth this spring for the Holley varsity softball squad as the Lady Hawks 12 player roster includes only two seniors.

The sophomore pitching trio of Hannah Day, Madison Day and Kassandra Norman, along with junior first baseman Anna Brasted, junior shortstop Brooklynn Bartholomew and sophomore catcher Madison Papaj head Holley’s veteran contingent.

Brianna Barber and Chelsea Norman are the only seniors on the Lady Hawks squad which also includes juniors Hannah Biedlingmaier, Julianna Drewry, Helana McLean and Ryley O’Mara.

“We’ve got some experience but we’re very young,” said Coach Amy Ostrom.

The Lady Hawks are scheduled to open the G-R season on April 4 at Oakfield-Alabama.

Schedule:
April 4 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.
April 6 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
April 8 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.
April 12 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.
April 14 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.
April 16 – Kendall, 11 a.m.
April 19 – C.G. Finney, 4:30 p.m.
April 20 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.
April 22 at Elba, 4:30 p.m.
April 26 -at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.
April 28 – Lyndonvlle, 4:30 p.m.
May 2 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
May 4 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.
May 6 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
May 9- at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
May 10 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.
May 12 – at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion starting pitcher Kelsee Soule tries to tag out Batavia’s Ryann Stefaniak at home during the host Purple Eagles win this afternoon.

Putting together a late innings rally, Albion edged past visiting Batavia 6-5 this afternoon in a season opening non league softball game.

Trailing 5-3, Albion pulled even by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI triple by Isabella Prest and a wild pitch. A single by Natalie DiCureia and an error ignited the rally.

The Purple Eagles then scored the game winner in the seventh as Kelsee Soule walked, advanced on a single by Olivia Prest and came home on a wild pitch.

Allbion, which trailed until the sixth inning, also scored once in the first on an error, once in the third on a home run by Meghan Hurley and once in the fourth on a double by Kassidy Hastings.

Meghan Hurley, who hurled the final four frames, delivers at pitch for Albion.

The Albion defense also came up big to blank Batavia in three of the last four innings.

In the fourth inning, the Purple Eagles got runners out at third and home on nice plays by Olivia Prest at catcher and Soule at shortstop.

Then in the sixth, Albion got out of a bases loaded jam without giving up a run on a strikeout by Hurley and a pop out to Ashley Bocach at first base.

Hurley, who pitched the final four frames, then got Batavia out in order in the top of the seventh on groundouts first to Soule at short, then to Bocach at first and finally to Ellen Narburgh at third base.

Soule hurled the first three innings for Albion which will host Lockport in a scrimmage on Wednesday and Aquinas in a game on Friday.

Albion’s Ashley Bocach slides into second base on a steal ahead of the throw as Alaina Bowman (7) and Taylor Stefaniak (1) defend for Batavia.

Contributed Photo – Medina players at Disney World include, in front, Destiny Satkowski. In the middle row are Allison Bensley, Ryenn Oliver, Brandi Guild and Emily Kams. In the back row are Davina Birch, Abigail Smith, Courtney Bailey, Alisha Scroger, Hayley Cogovan, Nicole Cooper and Alexis Neuman.

The Medina varsity softball team recently had their first ever spring training at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Mustang coaches Amber Cleaveland, Mark Kruzynski and Gary Scholes took 12 players to the spring training at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

“The weather and complex were incredible,” Coach Cleaveland said.  “There were hundreds of teams from around the country that were there participating.  While we were there, we had unofficial scrimmages with five different schools from New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and New York. ”

Cleaveland said the team had a fantastic time and really bonded over the experiences of the training and visiting the Disney parks and attractions together.

“What was really great is that they really improved over the five days there and really grew as a team,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to play new competition to prepare for our actual season.”

Medina’s first game is against Lyndonville this Friday.