It was a pitchers duel as Kendall dropped a narrow 1-0 decision to South Range High from Ohio in the Eagles first game at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Monday evening.

Nic Cole went the distance on the mound for Kendall hurling a 3 hitter wit 13 strikeouts.

“He pitched a gem we just couldn’t get him any runs,” said Coach Tige Noni.

South Range’s lone run came on a home run in the second inning.

Kendall likewise got only three hits on singles by Sammy Conte, Vinny D’Agostino and Colby Hughes.

The Eagles have a practice session and a scrimmage scheduled for today and another game on Wednesday.

Scoring five quick runs in the first inning without the benefit of a hit, Roy-Hart went on to down host Lockport 12-3 in a season openng non league baseball game this afternoon.

Four straight walks to open the game forced in the first run for the Rams which also scored on a two-run error, a fielders choice play and a sacrifice bunt by Gavin Heideman.

Roy-Hart later upped the lead to 10-0 by scoring five times in the fifth frame on a two-run double by Ethan Kuzma, RBI singles by Isaac Smith and Brayden Hy and a fielders choice play.

Hy and Jake Gould later both banged out run producing doubles in the seventh upping the Roy-Hart advantage to 12-2.

The Lions scored twice in the fifth on an error and one in the seventh on a groundout.

Five players shared in the pitching duties for the Rams including Heideman, Smith, Kuzma, Dawson Draper and Evan Poeller.

Roy-Hart is next scheduled to visit Niagara Falls for a non league game at noon on Friday.

Kenmore East 12, Albion 1

In another non league opener, Kenmore East downed visiting Albion 12-1.

The Purple Eagles had only two hits.

Contributed Photos – Trenton Muck, left, and Rolland Balcerzak.

Teammates on the Lyndonville baseball team during their scholastic days, Tiger graduates Trenton Muck (Class of 2023) and Rolland Balcerzak (Class of 2021) were on opposite sides of the collegiate diamond over the weekend.

Muck is a freshman pitcher for Finger Lakes Community College and Balcerzak is a sophomore on the Onondaga Community College pitching staff.

The duo met Saturday as FLCC took a doubleheader from Onondaga by scores of 5-3 and 6-4.

Muck earned the save in the second game. He pitched no hit ball over the final two innings retiring all six batters he faced. It was his first collegiate save.

Muck is majoring in Physical Education and Balcerzak in General Studies.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Roy-Hart softball team include, in front, Grace Pearl, Kaitlin Mettler and Millie Owens. In back are Hayley Hillburn, Peyton May and Abby Fox. Missing is Lila Brigham.

It is an all underclassmen roster at Roy-Hart this season as seven veterans lead the way for the Lady Rams who are prepping for the April 10 Niagara-Orleans League softball opener at Wilson.

Anchoring the Roy-Hart roster, which includes 8 sophomores and 7 juniors, is the veteran group of juniors Lila Brigham (Second base/Outfield) and Kaitlin Mettler (Shortstop) along with sophomores Millie Owens (Utility/Pitcher), Peyton May (Catcher), Abby Fox (Pitcher), Grace Pearl (Third base/Shortstop) and Hayley Hillburn (Outfield).

Mettler was a first team N-O All-League honoree and May a second team selection last spring.

The Lady Rams roster also includes juniors Emily Duewiger (2B), Olivia Marsillo (U), Jacie Craft (U), Savanna Holt (1B) and Caitlin O’Conner (Inf) along with sophomores Ryleigh Capen (Of), Alayna Kowalski (U) and Raegen Kern (Inf).

“We have a young team but we have good experience back,” said Coach Taylor Kneeland.

The Lady Rams graduation losses included First baseman Maria Peracciny who earned second team All-League honors, along with third baseman Juliana Buscarino and outfielder Emmaline Verratti.

Roy-Hart, which went 7-5 in N-O action and 8-7 overall last year, is scheduled to open the season with a non league game at JFK on April 9.

A light schedule of baseball and softball games is slated for the upcoming Easter break week, weather permitting.

Two of those contests will be in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as the Kendall baseball team has non league contests scheduled for Monday and Wednesday at the Ripken Experience. The Eagles also have three scrimmages planned during their stay there.

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Baseball – Albion at Kenmore East, 11 a.m.

Tuesday
Baseball – Roy-Hart at Lockport, 12 p.m.; Alexander at Barker, 4:45 p.m.
Softball – Newfane at Lyndonville, 11 a.m.; Barker at Alexander, 5 p.m.

Wednesday
Baseball – Pembroke at Albion, 12 p.m.; Lockport at Medina, Barker at Alexander, 5 p.m.
Softball – Alexander at Barker, 4:45 p.m.

Thursday
Baseball – Roy-Hart at Amherst, 10 a.m.

Friday
Baseball – Roy-Hart at Niagara Falls, Barker at Pembroke, 12 p.m.

Saturday
Baseball – CSAT vs. Barker at Lyndonville, 11 a.m.; Batavia at Medina, 3 p.m.
Softball – Notre Dame at Barker, 12 p.m.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Holley baseball team include Nolan Sullivan, Brenden Trowbridge, Elijah Lang and Anthony Giancursio. Missing are Ryan Dunn and William Kruger.

Underclassmen dominate the lineup for the Holley varsity baseball team which is prepping for the Genesee Region League opener against Attica on April 10.

The roster for new Coach Ben Slate’s Hawks includes seniors Anthony Giancursio (Of), Elijah Lang (Of/Pitcher)), Nolan Sullivan (Pitcher) and Brenden Trowbridge (Shortstop); juniors Ryan Dunn (Inf) and William Kruger (Inf); sophomores Brody Fiorito (Of), Camden Mosier (Inf), Joshua Silpoch (Of), and Logan Stoick (Inf) along with freshmen Blake Milner (Utility), Noah Patten (Inf), Brody Williams (Inf) and Gage Yockel (U).

“We have some experience but overall it is a young group so we’re looking to build and improve as we go along,” said Slate.

The Hawks graduation losses included Miles Lammes, Zach Milner, Joseph Silpoch and Seth Janus.

Holley, which is slated to face Barker in the non league opener on April 9, went 4-10 in the G-R and 4-13 overall last spring.

Orleans County’s five high schools have a total of 15 winter season varsity sports teams which have earned New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete awards by compiling composite grade point averages of at least 90.

Albion’s honored teams include Boys Swimming, Girls Swimming and Girls Basketball.

Holley’s honores are Girls Basketball and Competitive Cheerleading.

Kendall has Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball and Competitive Cheerleading.

Lyndonville has Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball.

Medina’s teams include Boys Swimming, Girls Swimming, Wrestling, Girls Basketball and Basketball Cheerleaders.

In addition, neighboring Roy-Hart has Boys Swimming, Girls Basketball, Boys Bowling and Competitive Cheerleading. while Barker has Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball.

Contributed Photo – Lauren Pilon

Kendall High graduate Lauren Pilon has earned the starting first baseman job for the Finger Lakes Community College softball team which begins its season this weekend.

Pilon is a freshman majoring in Healthcare Studies.

She was a four year varsity starter for the Kendall softball team and a three-time Genesee Region League All-Star selection.

She was named Female Athlete of the Year her senior year.

Pilon was also a member of the FLCC women’s volleyball team which captured the Region III championship this past fall.

She was a four year starter on the Kendall varsity volleyball team was was a two-time G-R All-Star.

Pilon also played varsity basketball for Kendall and earned G-R All-Star Honorable Mention her senior year.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Medina baseball squad is this group of returning starters. In front are Aidan Papaj, Julian Woodworth and Vinny Gray. In back are Richard Keppler, Brody Fry, Carter Woodworth and Ryleigh Culver.

Slipping into third place last spring after a three year league title run, Medina returns a large veteran contingent with which to again challenge for top Niagara-Orleans baseball honors this season.

The Mustangs underclassmen dominated veteran group includes seniors Branden Christiaansen (DH/1B), Richard Keppler (Of) and Julian Woodworth (OF/Pitcher); juniors Ryleigh Culver (Catcher/1B), Brody Fry (3B/P) and Carter Woodworth (1B); sophomore Vinny Gray (Of/P) and freshmen Aidan Papaj (2B/SS/P) and Preston Woodworth (2B/P).

Julian Woodworth, Culver and Papaj all earned second team N-O All-League honors last year while Keppler and Fry received Honorable Mention.

“It’s one of the more athletic teams we’ve had. We have a lot of speed and experience,” said Coach Chris Goyette. “We’ve got good pitching depth with six guys in the regular rotation and our defense looks strong. The key will be how well we hit.”

The Mustangs graduation losses included first team All-League honoree Aidan Paul (P/1B) and second team honoree Aiden Pitts (1B/P)

Medina, which went 8-4 in the league and 9-8 overall last season, will begin tuning up for the April 19 N-O opener at Roy-Hart by hosting Lockport next Wednesday.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Wilson’s Aleena Adamczyk dives back to first base ahead of the tag by Lyndonville’s Bella Groves during the Lakewomen’s non league win over the host Lady Tigers this afternoon.

Scoring two quick runs in the first inning, Wilson went on to down host Lyndonville 12-6 in a non league season opening softball game this afternoon.

Hits by Lucy Madan and Rian Faery set up the opening inning scoring for Wilson which later locked up the win by erupting for 7 runs in the fifth frame to break away from a close 4-0 contest.

Addie Dillenbeck had 2 hits, including a triple, and Bella Groves 2, including a double, for Lyndonville.

Springville 14, Medina 2
Leading 7-2, Springville exploded for 7 runs in the fifth inning to lock up a 14-2 win over Medina in a non league game at Vets Park.

Taylor Frentz and Iyla Lilleby each had a hit and a run scored for Medina.

Pembroke 12, Barker 6
Trailing 6-5, Pembroke used a big 6 run fourth inning rally to key a 12-6 non league win over host Barker.

Kaylee Stoll, Peyton Bradley and Samaatha Murphy each had 2 hits for Barker.

Geneseo 12, Holley 2
Leigha Walker had 2 hits and Natalie Foose 1 for Holley in the 12-2 non league loss at Geneseo.

Akron 18, Maryvale 13
Rebounding from a 9 run first inning deficit, Akron rallied to down Maryvale 18-13 in a non league game Wednesday.

Shannon Esmond drove in seven runs on four hits to lead Akron. She hit an inside the park home run in the sixth scoring three, tripled in the third scoring two, singled in the fourth, scoring one, and singled in the fifth scoring one. Ashlee Henning homered in the top of the third to score two runs. Olivia Novak singled in the top of the sixth to score one run.