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.

Contributed Photo
The Medina Youth Wrestling Club, ages K-8th grade, has ended its season after 11 weeks of practice and tournaments. “With the club almost doubling in size from last year, the wrestlers learned basic folk style moves and fundamentals in a fun and healthy experience while developing sportsmanship, character, and leadership skills,” said Coach Jamie Duffina. “The wrestlers were able to practice against one another in drills and live wrestling, as well as participate in an intra-squad match.” Club members and coaches included, in front from left, Stetson Hall, Mackoy Hall, Cole Herman, Lex Gray, Brady Christiaansen, Luke Duffina, Josh Hilobuk and Nathan Brabon. In the middle row are Caden Kingsbury, Dominick Callara, Liam Castricone, Conor Crandall, Joel Slack, Caiden Class, Logan Gray, Seth Micalizio and Kiernan Reagan. In the third row are Brandon Christiaansen, Breydin Miller, Sam Kingsbury, Oliver Wilson, Josh Wilson, Mavrik Hall, Xander Payne, Rashawn Bloom and Landon Johnson. In the top row are coaches Matt Caldwell, Jeff Kingsbury, Jamie Duffina, Charlie Wilson and Greg Hodgins. Missing from photo are Zaric Boyce and Sawyer Kingsbury.

Runner-up Legion bested champion Sacred Heart 39-31 Monday to close out the Medina Euchre League season.

JR Wilson downed Vets Club 37-33 in the other game.

Despite the loss, Sacred Heart captures the league title by 19 points finishing with a season record of 957-863.

Runner-up Legion finished at 938-882, JR Wilson 912-908 and Vets Club 833-987.

Both Medina teams scored victories over the weekend at the Kenan Center in the Senior Division of the Lockport Indoor Soccer League.

Medina 1 stayed perfect at 6-0 by defeating Reid’s Drive-In 10-3.

Brian Anderson scored 7 goals to lead the way as Nick Albone added 2 and Josh Klotzbach 1.

Medina 2 downed Image Collision 8-2 to regain the .500 mark at 3-3.

Chase Pecoraro set the pace with 4 goals as Colm Cooper, Matt Doherty, Greg Husung and Zach Lard each chipped in with 1.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading Albion into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League softball season is this large group of returnees. In front are Allyson Irwin, Natalie DiCureia, Olivia Prest, Brylie Hapeman and Kassidy Hastings. In back are Kaitlyn VanSkiver, Ellen Narburgh, Meghan Hurley, Kelsee Soule and Isabella Prest. Missing from the photo is Ashley Bocach.

With the lineup returning almost intact, Albion is looking to rebound from last year’s 3-11 Niagara-Orleans League softball season.

Heading the Purple Eagles large veteran contingent are senior pitcher/infielder Meghan Hurley, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, senior infielder/outfielder Olivia Prest, a second team selection, along with senior pitcher/infielder Ellen Narburgh and sophomore infielder Natalie DiCureia who both received honorable mention.

Senior infielder/pitcher Kelsee Soule, who mssed last season due to an injury but earned first team All-League honors the previous two years, also returns.

The Purple Eagles lineup also includes seniors Ashley Bocach (infield), Kassidy Hastings (infield/outfield), Allyson Irwin (outfield); juniors Isabella Prest (outfield), Skyler Smith (outfield/pitcher), Kaitlyn VanSkiver (infield) and freshman Brylie Hapeman (outfield).

“We have the experience and the potential is certainly there,” said Coach Cathy Schmitt.

The Purple Eagles have several non league games scheduled, beginning at home against Batavia on Tuesday, before opening the N-O season at Wilson on April 8.

Schedule:
March 29 – Batavia, 4:30 p.m.
April 1 – Aquinas, 5 p.m.
April 6 – at Lew-Port, 4:45 p.m.
April 8 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
April 11 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.
April 13 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
April 15 – at CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
April 18 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.
April 20 – at Barker 4:45 p.m.
April 22 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.
April 25 – Wheatland-Chili, 6 p.m.
April 27 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
April 29 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.
April 30 – Lake Placid, 9:30 a.m.
May 2 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
May 4 – CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
May 6 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.
May 9 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.
May 12 – at Akron, 5 p.m.
May 13 – at Cheektowaga, 4:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – These five players will lead Holley into the upcoming Genesee Region League tennis season. In front are Brady Smith and Melonie Klossner. In back are Pablo Romero, Cameron Bennage and Jake DeSimone.

A quintet of senior players, including four returnees and an exchange student, anchor the lineup for Holley as the Hawks prep for the Genesee Region League tennis season.

Brady Smith, who played first singles and earned G-R All-Star honors last year, heads that group which also includes Cameron Bennage, Jake DeSimone, Melonie Klossner and exchange student Pablo Romero.

“We have a lot of good athletes just not a lot of experience,” said Coach John Grillo.

Holley posted a 9-4 record last spring and finished third overall in the G-R behind Class champions Wheatland-Chili and Alexander.

The Hawks are scheduled to open G-R competition at home on April 5 against Attica.

Schedule
April 4 – Attica, 4 p.m.
April 6 – Alexander, 4 p.m.
April 8 – Pembroke, 4 p.m.
April 11 – at Byron-Bergen, 4 p.m.
April 15 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4 p.m.
April 18 – Kendall, 4 p.m.
April 20 – at Elba, 4 p.m.
April 22 – at Notre Dame, 4 p.m.
April 29 – Wheatland-Chili, 4 p.m.
May 2 – at Attica, 4 p.m.
May 9 – at Pembroke, 4 p.m.
May 11 – Byron-Bergen, 4 p.m.

When it comes to putting together stories on spring high school sports schedules the inclusion of two words,”weather permitting”, is imperative.

That certainly is the case for the upcoming week when non league baseball and softball and league lacrosse games are scheduled to get the season underway.

The debut of the newly merged Holley/Kendall baseball squad at Barker on Wednesday will highlight the week’s diamond action which also includes a pair of home games for Lyndonville against Wilson on Thursday and Roy-Hart on Saturday.

The Medina lacrosse team will face a pair of Class C Division contests, at home against East Aurora on Wednesday and at Wilson on Friday.

The week’s Schedule

Tuesday
Softball – Batavia at Albion, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Baseball – Holley/Kendall at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Lacrosse – East Aurora at Medina, 5 p.m.

Thursday
Baseball – Wilson at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.

Friday
Baseball – Williamsville South at Medina, Pembroke at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Softball – Medina at Lyndonville, 4 p.m.; Elba at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Aquinas at Albion, 5 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Wilson, 5 p.m.

Saturday
Baseball – Roy-Hart at Lyndonville, 11 a.m.; Albion at Oakfield-Alabama, 12 p.m.; Maryvale at Medina, 1 p.m.
Softball – Lew-Port at Barker, 2 p.m.

Photos by Mike Wertman – The veteran trio of Lydia Dewart, Caitlyn Mason and Rebecca Stoloski will help lead the Barker girls track team in a defense of their Niagara-Orleans League title this spring.

The Barker boys and girls track teams made school history last spring by both capturing Niagara-Orleans League championships with 6-0 records.

The title was the first for the girls team and the fifth in a row for the boys squad.

Senior Caitlyn Mason, who won the long jump and placed second in the triple jump, heads the Lady Raiders veteran group which also includes senior Erin Greenwald (3rd in pole vault, 4th in 100 hurdles), junior Lydia Dewart (3rd in 800) and senior Rebecca Stoloski (4th in discus).

“We’ve got a ton of great young talent so I’m eager to see how we do and how we grow,” said Coach Jim Jurewicz whose Lady Raiders are also looking to senior Alena Israel in the distance events and eighth grader Katrina Clare in the sprints.

Helping to anchor the lineup for the defending champ boys squad is this quartet of Kirk Fay, Jake Arnold, Jack Hopkins and Russell Larson.

Senior Brett Holland, who won the discus at last year’s N-O All-League meet, heads Barker’s veteran group which also includes senior Kirk Fay (2nd in shot-put) along with juniors Jake Arnold (5th in 800) and Jack Hopkins (4th in 3200).

“We’re rebuilding. We’re really young with a lot of freshmen and sophomores,” said Jurewicz whose Raiders are also looking to senior Russell Larson in the throws and freshman Dominic Clementi in the 400 and 400 hurdles.

The Barker teams are scheduled to begin their title defense at home on April 14 against Roy-Hart.

Schedule:
April 14 – Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.
April 19 – at Akron, 4:15 p.m.
April 28 – at Medina/Lyndonville, 4:15 p.m.
May 3 – Newfane, 4:15 p.m.
May 5 – Wilson, 4:15 p.m.
May 10 – at Albion, 4:15 p.m.
May 18 and 19 – All-League meet at Roy-Hart

Photo by Mike Wertman – New Roy-Hart varsity baseball Coach Jeff Ziemicki meets here with three of the Rams seniors including Ben Maynard, Justin Heschke and Joe Nolan.

With new Coach Jeff Ziemicki at the helm and a good nucleus of returnees on hand, Roy-Hart is prepping for open the Niagara-Orleans League baseball season at home against Barker on April 4.

The senior quartet of Andy Xapsos (second base), Joe Nolan (pitcher/outfield), Justin Heschke (first base) and Ben Maynard (outfield), along with sophomore Al Xapsos (shortstop), provides a good nucleus of returning starters for Roy-hart which went 7-7 in N-O competition last spring.

Andy Xapsos earned first team N-O All-League honors while Maynard and Al Xapsos were both second team honorees.

The Rams are also looking to juniors Jake Stern (catcher), Eric Fitch (catcher/pitcher), Brendon Hess (third base) and Cam Meadows (pitcher) along with sophomores Jake Bruning (pitcher/outfield) and Ben Schwab (pitcher) and freshman Charlie Bruning (pitcher/first base).

“I’m really excited about our young pitchers,” said Ziemicki. “We’ve got a nice mix of upperclassmen and young kids. We should make a run at the N-O.”

Schedule:
April 2 – at Lyndonville, 1 p.m.
April 4 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.
April 5 – Niagara-Wheatfield, 4:45 p.m.
April 7 – at Tonawanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 – at CSAT, 4″45
April 12 – Williamsville North, 4:45 p.m.
April 13 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
April 14 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.
April 16 – at St. Mary’s Lancaster, 12 p.m.
April 18 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.
April 19 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.
April 22 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
April 27 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.
April 29 – CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
May 2 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
May 4 – Akron, 5 p.m.
May 6 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.
May 9 – at Medina, 7:30 p.m.
May 11 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.