The Medina Mustangs 15U team dropped a 13-6 decision on the road to the MMB Bandits Wednesday evening.

The Bandits jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first inning. Medina answered with 4 in the second to pull to within one but could get no closer as the Bandits used a 4 run fifth inning to lock up the win.

Viktor Snyder had 2 hits for Medina as Jacob Duffina, Jackson Daigler, Evan Collins and Kaiden Hockenberry each had 1.

Medina next hosts the NY Stingers at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Orleans County YMCA is set to launch a free Girls Youth Flag Football League – Girls Play Strong Program – this summer, providing local girls ages 5-13 with an opportunity to learn the game, build confidence, and stay active in a fun and supportive environment.

Led by YMCA staff, local coaches, alumni, and community volunteers, the league will meet on Mondays and Fridays from July 6 through August 28, with games and practices held at Vets Park in Medina, Medina Central School fields, and the Orleans County YMCA.

The league will feature weekly practices and games, along with family events and recognition awards. This program is made possible through funding from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

“Girls flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and we want every girl in Orleans County to have the opportunity to experience it,” said Andrew Houseman, Senior Program Director of the Orleans County YMCA. “By offering this league free of charge, we’re removing barriers and encouraging girls to simply give it a try. Whether they have experience in sports or are stepping onto the field for the first time, we hope they’ll discover a new passion, build confidence, stay active, and have fun alongside their teammates this summer.”

Registration for the Girls Youth Flag Football League is open now through July 6th and can be completed online through glowymca.org. Families may also register in person at the Orleans County YMCA or by calling (585) 798-2040 for assistance.

The program will offer several evening games under the lights on the local turf field. All practices and games will take place after typical work and school hours, with schedules varying by team.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Nate Gibson

Albion senior catcher/pitcher Nate Gibson has earned Honorable Mention on the All-Western New York baseball squad for large schools.

Gibson hit .639 in the league and .475 overall. He had 3 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, 25 RBIs, 21 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.

“Nate had one of the best offensive seasons I have had a player have,” said Albion Coach Bruce Blanchard.

From his catcher’s position he picked off 5 runners and threw out 8 runners trying to steal.

Also the Purple Eagles No. 1 pitcher, he appeared in 11 games on the mound. He struck out 97 in 50.2 innings of work and had a 1.93 earned run average.

The large school All-WNY squad includes players from Class AAA, AA and A sized schools. Albion is one of the smallest Class A schools, third from the bottom of the list.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s All-WNY honorees Isaac Smith, left, and Gavin Heideman.

Roy-Hart has placed two players on the All-Western New York small schools baseball squad.

Roy-Hart senior second baseman/pitcher Isaac Smith has been named to the first team.

Rams senior pitcher/outfielder Gavin Heideman has earned a spot on the second team.

Smith hit .429 with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 32 RBIs. On the mound he pitched 28 innings and registered 41 strikeouts.

Heideman hit .259 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run and 11 RBIs. He pitched 32 innings and notched 70 strikeouts.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina junior Aidan Papaj, left, and Preston Woodworth have both earned first team All-WNY honors.

Fresh from playing in the state finals, the Medina High baseball team has a trio of players who have earned top All Western New York honors.

Junior pitcher/shortstop Aidan Papaj, junior pitcher/shortstop Preston Woodworth and senior centerfielder/pitcher Vinny Gray have all earned first team All-WNY small schools honors.

Mustangs senior Vinny Gray is a first team All-WNY honoree.

Papaj has also been named the All-WNY small schools Player of the Year.

Woodworth has also been honored as the All-WNY small schools Pitcher of the Year.

Papaj hit .507 on the season with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 30 RBIs and 41 stolen bases.

On the mound he registered 112 strikeouts in 59.2 innings of work . He had an earned run average of  0.821. and posted an 8-1 record.

Woodworth hit .400 with 16 doubles, 29 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

He had a  0.606 earned run average on the mound . He notched 132 strikeout in 69.1 innings of work and compiled a 10-1 record.

Gray hit .299 with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 15 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

He went 4-0 on the mound with 36 strikeouts in 27 innings of work with a 0.259 earned run average.

All three year varsity regulars, the trio helped lead the Mustangs to a 22-3 overall record, a third straight Niagara-Orleans League and Section VI Class B championships, a first victory in the state semifinals and a berth in the state title game.

In addition Medina mentor Chris Goyette was named All-WNY small schools Coach of the Year.

The Niagara-Orleans League vs. Genesee Region League Senior baseball game has been rescheduled and will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Medina’s Vets Park.

The N-O lineup includes Nate Gibson, Elliott Trapiss, Kaiden Froman and Will Plummer from Albion; Colin Miller and Conlan Luck from Akron; JJ Prynn, Dom Cimato, Carson Marvin, Carson Schwab and Matt Maines from Barker; Vinny Gray and Jimmy Dieter from Medina; Tristan Smith, Noah Orens and Caeleb Rivera from Newfane and Gavin Heideman, Isaac Smith, Sean Mettler, Evan Poeller and Jackson Drees from Roy-Hart.

The G-R roster includes Jake Bailey, Leo Egloff, Nick Marzoff and Colton Smith from Alexander; Hunter Green and Ben Wild from Attica; Liam Boyle from Byron-Bergen; Mark Caparco, Fletcher Norton, Brenden Porey, Nicholas Scott and Bing Zuber from Elba; Nic Cole, Jonny Conte and Vinnie D’Agostino from Kendall; Austin Fonda and Colton Smith from Lyndonville; Eli Grice, Adyn Horzempa and Preston Viele from Notre Dame; Levi Kabel and Hunter Tobolski from Oakfield-Alabama; Anthony Abbatiello, Austin Humphrey and Brayden Lang from Pembroke and Miguel Gonzalez from Wheatland-Chili.

All-Star softball
Six Niagara-Orleans League players will be competing in the Gerry Gentner Senior All-Star softball game at Sweet Home High School at 7 this evening.

The N-O players include Abby Fox and Peyton May from Roy-Hart, Kimberly Schmitt and Gabrielle Ross from Newfane and Abbie Faery and Mackenzie Hardy from Wilson.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville G-R All-Stars Arnie Sturtevant, left, and Isabella Groves.

Four Lyndonville players have earned spots on the Genesee Region League All-Star softball team.

The Lady Tigers quartet includes sophomore pitcher Arnie Sturtevant, senior first baseman Isabella Groves, junior third baseman Hannah Fox and senior shortstop Brooke Robinson.

Lady Tigers G-R All-Stars Brooke Robinson, left, and Hannah Fox.

Sturtevant, who was named the G-R League’s Player of the Year, registered 124 strikeouts in 104.2 innings of work in the circle and had a 1.228 earned run average. At the plate she hit .506 with 13 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs and 35 RBIs.

Groves hit .392 with 5 doubles, 1 triple and 22 RBIs.

Robinson hit .429 with 4 doubles, 4 triples and 20 RBIs.

Fox hit .400 with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 15 RBIs.

Lyndonville also had sophomore catcher Alexa Robinson earn Honorable Mention. She hit .324 and had 12 RBIS.

In addition, Lyndonville mentor Joe Moore was named G-R Coach of the Year.

Lyndonville finished in a tie for the G-R Division 2 title with Oakfield-Alabama at 14-1. Overall the Lady Tigers compiled an 18-2 record.

Oakfield-Alabama, which went on to win the state Class D title, also had four G-R All-Stars including Allison Harkness, Savannnah Durham, Raine Denny and Chloe Lamb.

A trio of local high school senior players will be competing in the Chuck Senn Sr.  All Star baseball game at 7 this evening at Sweet Home High School.

Medina is represented by Vinny Gray and Roy-Hart by Gavin Heideman and Isaac Smith.

In addition, Roy-Hart mentor Jim Heideman has been selected to be one of the coaches.

White Birch and Banes both scored wins in Medina Women’s Softball League action Monday evening.

White Birch 21, Mr. Septic 12
Banging out 20 hits, including home runs by Morgan Ralph and Maddy Boyle, White Birch beat Mr. Septic tonight 21-12

Ella Lewis also had 3 triples for the Birch as Anna Lewis had a triple and 2 singles, Ralph and Kenzie Muck both had a triple and single, Rebecca Hoffee a double and single, Stacy Buckland 2 singles and Boyle, Aubrey Lewis, Brianna Panncia and Mallory Albone each a single.

Mr. Septic had 18 hits including Cathy Schmitt and Cami London both with a home run and a single, Kelsey Soule a triple and 2 singles and Randi Tower a double and 2 singles.

Banes 26, Cafora’s 9
Improving to 3-2, Banes downed Cafora’s 26-9 as Morgan Allis had 5 hits including a triple and 4 RBIs, Jami Chatt 4 hits including a triple and 4 RBIs, Kathy Allen 4 hits, Rileigh McCabe 4 hits including a double, Connie Heschke 3 hits including a double and 3 RBIs, and Patti Page and Krissy Scharlau 3 hits each.

Trailing 5-4, Banes moved on top to stay by scoring 5 runs in the second inning as Heschke, Jami Chatt, Lindsay Chatt and Allen all had RBI singles and Allis an RBI double.

Banes later put a lock on the win by erupting for 11 runs in the fifth inning highlighted by two-run doubles by Allis and Heschke and two-run singles by McCabe and Jami Chatt and a pair of RBI singles by Allen.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Genesee Region League All-Stars Austin Fonda, left, and Quincey McClinsey.

Two Lyndonville players – senior second baseman Austin Fonda and junior pitcher/ third baseman Quincey McClinsey –  have earned Genesee Region League baseball All-Star honors.

Fonda hit .389 with 1 double, 9 RBIs, 21 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.

McClinsey made 13 starts, pitched 60.1 innings and registered 94 strikeouts. At the plate he hit .319 with 1 double and 13 RBIs.

The Tigers also had senior shortstop Colton Smith earn G-R Honorable Mention. He hit .370 with 5 doubles and 11 RBIs.