Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Helping to anchor the lineup for the Barker varsity baseball squad are these Raider veterans. In front are Nathan Heidemann and Shane Gerhardt. In back are Jaret Black, Logan Harris and Aidan Voss.

With a little more depth on the roster, the Barker varsity baseball squad is looking to bounce back from back-to-back 0-12 Niagara-Orleans League campaigns.

Barker’s underclassmen dominated lineup is led by a nucleus of six veterans including senior David Class (outfield), juniors Shane Gerhardt (first base/pitcher), Logan Harris (infield/pitcher) and Nathan Heidemann (catcher/pitcher), sophomore Jaret Black (first base/outfield) and freshman Aidan Voss (shortstop/second base).

The Raiders are also looking to juniors Cole Cain (third base/pitcher), Cole Ecker (outfield), Aidan Pearson (outfield) and Joey Brandt (second base/pitcher) along with sophomores Zach Hill (catcher), Andy Hill (pitcher) and Drew Sandolfini (third base/pitcher).

“Our numbers are a little better and I think well have more offense,” said Coach Rob Mucha. “Hopefully our defense comes along and as always pitching is key. You can never have enough pitching.”

The Raiders graduation losses included Nick Brandt (third base/pitcher), Cole Hanssen (first base/pitcher), Preston Harris (shortstop/pitcher), Dan Ober (outfield) and Zach Richbart (outfield/pitcher).

Along with other area teams Barker is awaiting for schools which are currently closed due to the coronavirus concern to reopen so the schedule can begin. The Raiders had been scheduled to begin N-O competition against Roy-Hart on April 2.

Photo by Cheryl Wertmn – Veteran members of the Holley softball squad include Alexis Clemons, Jade Hoffarth, Rachael Howard and Halee Passarell

Taking aim at rebounding from last spring’s 4-15 campaign, the Holley varsity softball team is led by a good group of six returnees.

That veteran contingent includes seniors Alexis Clemons (outfield/pitcher) and Jade Hoffarth (infield/outfield), juniors Rachel Howard (shortstop), Halee Passarell (catcher), Julia Buck (outfield) and freshman Tia Hoffarth (infield/outfield).  Passarell earned Genesee Regional League All-Star Honorable Mention.

“We’ve got some good experience back and we’re looking to work together as a team and improve,” said Coach Amy Ostrom.

The Hawks key graduation losses included the battery of pitcher Madison Marsh and catcher Jocelyn Chilton along with first baseman Sarah Klatt. Chilton earned G-R All-Star honors and Marsh was an Honorable Mention selection.

“We’re eager to play,” said Ostrom of the uncertain starting date for the season due to the current coronavirus school closing situation.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading the Lyndonville softball team this spring will be this group of veterans. In front are Jennalee Riemer and Megan Krisher. In back are Lorelei Dillenbeck, Chloe Stinson, Ella Lewis and Gracie Johnson.

Numbers are a bit low but the Lyndonville varsity softball squad boasts a good nucleus of six returnees.

The defending Genesee Region League Division 2 champion Lady Tigers are led by senior outfielders Megan Krisher and Jennalee Riemer, junior catcher Chloe Stinson, sophomore shortstop Ella Lewis, sophomore pitcher/first baseman Gracie Johnson and freshman pitcher/infielder Lorelei Dillenbeck who earned G-R AllStar Honorable Mention..

“Our numbers are small but we have a good returning group and we are looking to improve as we go along,” said Coach Joe Moore.

The Lady Tigers graduation losses included pitcher/first baseman Stacy Buckland, third baseman Cassie Boyce and outfielders Anna Lewis, Natalie Ostrowski and Alecia Hinkson. Buckland, Lewis and Hinkson all earned G-R All-Star honors and Boyce was an Honorable Mention selection.

Lyndonville went 7-1 in the division and 17-2 overall last spring as the Lady Tgiers advanced to the Section V Class C3 finals.

In light of the current school closings due to the Coronavirus concern, the Lady Tigers are fortunate to have had only one league game scheduled before Easter that was an April 2 contest against Elba.

The Albion High School Athletic Department has announced its New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Winter Scholar Athlete teams and individuals.

The boys and girls swim teams and girls basketball teams received Scholar Athlete status for a having a composite average of 90 or above. The girls basketball team had a composite average of 94.98, the girls swim team an average of 92.95 and the boys swim team an average of 92.14.

In addition, several student athletes from boys basketball, cheerleading and wrestling received individual awards for having a 90.0 or above GPA.

Girls Basketball: The girls basketball team Scholar-Athletes include, in front, Melissa Robinson, Abbie Pappalardo,  Kendall Derisley, Ryan Olles and Paige Derisley.  In back are Quinn McCue, Alyson Knaak , Maya Knaak, Sydney Mulka and Aurora Serafin. 

Girls Swimming: The girls swim team Scholar-Athletes include, from left  Devynn Pearles, Mia Olles, Laiken Ricker and Michaela Pantano.  Absent from photo are  Sierra Kast, Clara Bolton and Rylee Pearles.

Boys Swimming: The boys swim team Scholar-Athletes include, in front, Hunter Hering,  Jeff Brown, Josh DePoty, Presley Smith and Jacob Coolbaugh.  In the middle row are Logan Graham, Dallas Ecker, Thomas Furmanski, Sam Williams and Jacob Foote. In the back row are Finn McCue and Cameron Ecker.  Absent from photo: Chase Froman, Ben Hickman, James Klatt, Declan McCue, Zach Olles and Aiden Rush.

Wrestling: The wrestling team’s Individual Scholar Athletes include, in front, Zac Albright, Cody Wilson, Adonis Guzman, Alex Hafner, Blake Stornelli and Andrew Uderitz.  In the back row are Cole Spierdowis, Josh Bovenzi, Aiden Brien, Adrian Kingdollar and Cameron Bell.  Absent from photo is Angel Rosario. 

BOYS BASKETBALL: The boys basketball Individual Scholar Athletes are, from left, Anthony Freeman, Elijah Lloyd and Zach Colaccechi.  Absent from photo is Bailey Blanchard.

Cheerleaders: The girls Cheerleading Individual Scholar Athletes include Katlyn Beach and Miranda Howell.  Absent from photo are: Jylees Bermudez and Alaina Fleming.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Helping to anchor the Holley varsity baseball team this season are these senior veterans Jamel Hildreth, Jake Norman, Kohl Morgan and Cody Tanis.

Unlike a year ago when Holley’s varsity baseball squad had only one returning starter this season the Hawks have a good returning contingent led by six seniors.

The Hawks veteran group includes catcher Jake Norman, pitcher/second baseman Cody Tanis, centerfielder/pitcher Jamel Hildreth, first baseman Kohl Morgan, third baseman/pitcher Tony Farruggia and outfielder Nick Ballard, all seniors.

The Hawks are also looking to freshman pitcher/shortstop Miles Lammes, junior pitcher Jayden Gibaud and senior outfielder Malachi Rowcliffe.

“We’ve got a lot of experience,” said Coach Dan Burke  whose Hawks are looking to rebound from last year’s 3-15 record. “It’s a pretty solid group overall. Our outfield should be better and I think we’ll have plenty of pitching. We’ve got a group of guys who play well together and I think we’ll be much better.”

Like all other area teams the start of the Hawks season has been put on hold due to the current Coronavirus caused school closing situation.

Section VI officials have released the 2020 football schedule which will have Albion and Medina both opening at home on Friday September 11.

Albion will be competing in the B2 Division this fall and Medina in the C North Division.

The Mustangs will host the rival Purple Eagles in an interdivisional contest on Friday October 9.

The Sept. 11 season openers will have Albion hosting Depew in a B2 game and Medina entertaining Williamsville East in an interdivisional contest.

Albion will also host Lake Shore on October 2, Dunkirk on Oct. 16 and WNY Maritime on Oct. 23, all Friday night B2 games.

The contest against Maritime will be a rematch of last fall’s Section VI Class B 2 championship game which saw Maritime down the Purple Eagles 34-20.

The Purple Eagles B2 road contests will by Sept. 18 at Maryvale and Sept. 25 at Olean, both Friday nights.

Medina will also host Newfane on Friday Sept. 18 and Akron on Thursday Oct. 22 in C North games.

The Mustangs C North road contests will be Friday Sept. 25 at Tonawanda, Saturday Oct. 3 at Cleveland Hill and Friday Oct. 16 at Wilson.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Paige Emborsky

Newfane High graduate and Niagara County Community College sophomore Paige Emborsky has been named to the first team of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 2 All-America basketball squad.

Emborsky, who recently was named Region III Player of the Year, helped lead NCCC to a 31-1 record and a second straight Region III title this past season.

She scored 481 points on the season to become NCCC’s second all-time career scorer with 1,011 points. She also had 85 assists and 53 steals.

Emborsky has accepted a scholarship to play Division 1 basketball at Abilene Christian University next year.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Lyndonville varsity baseball team include, in front, Nate Dillenbeck, left, and Rolland Balcerzak. In back are Nathan Neace, Cal Stinson and Casey Winiecki.

Looking to defend their Genesee Region League Division 2 title, the Lyndonville varsity baseball squad returns a good nucleus of seven veterans.

Shortstop/pitcher Nate Dillenbeck and catcher/pitcher Rolland Balcerzak, both juniors, head that veteran contingent which also includes infielder Oskar Heinsler, outfielder/pitcher Casey Winiecki and outfielders Devin Rounds, Nathan Neace and Cal Stinson, all seniors. Dillenbeck earned G-R All-Star honors last year hitting .463 with 17 RBI.

The Tigers are also counting on the junior trio of first baseman Anthony Moule, third baseman/pitcher Alex Barry and pitcher outfielder Dylan Burt-Hodgins.

Lyndonville’s graduation losses included Zach Johnson, a G-R All-Star who was the Tigers ace on the mound, along with versatile infielder/catcher/pitcher Kane Flynn, and outfielder Matt Hess. Flynn also earned G-R All-Star honors.

“Replacing Zach is a big key” said Coach Shane Price. “We just don’t have that dominant pitcher so we are going to have to get strong efforts from all of our pitchers. They are going to have to step up in big games. And defensively we just have to be better. That was a for us problem in games last year.”

Lyndonville captured the G-R Division 2 title with a 12-1 record and the Tigers went 17-2 overall advancing to the Section V Class C2 finals.

When the Tigers get to begin defense of their title remains uncertain with schools currently closed due to the Coronavirun concern.

“The unknown is what gets us,” said Price of the uncertain length of the hold being put on the start of the season due to the current school closing as the result of the Coronavirus concern.

Lyndonville had been scheduled to begin G-R competition against Elba on April 2.

Contributed Photo –  Kyle Johnson in action on the mound for Albion.

Over the past nine years three local teams have advanced to the state baseball semifinals – Lyndonville in 2011, Roy-Hart in 2018 and Medina in 2019.

However, prior to that there was one special spring in which two Orleans teams advanced to the state diamond semis – that was in 1999 when Albion and Kendall both earned spots in the Final Four.

The state semifinal appearances were the first in program history for both Albion, which went 21-1 on the campaign and Kendall which went 22-3.

Albion, which captured the Niagara-Orleans League title with a 14-0 record, went on to claim the Section VI Class B1 crown by downing Williamsville South 9-5.

However, the Purple Eagles needed to earn a narrow 3-2 win over Grand Island in the semifinals to gain a shot at the title. A two-run single by Johnnie Wynn in the fifth inning provided the  margin of victory backing the 3 hit, 10 strikeout pitching effort by Kyle Johnson.

Albion then captured the overall Section VI Class B title and a berth in the state playoffs by romping past Cheektowaga 15-1. Matt Gould and Kyle Johnson both had 3 hits, Pat Fitzsimmons a two-run double and Soren Johnson 2 hits and 4 RBI. Gould’s hits included a three-run homer.

Keeping the momentum, the Purple Eagles the outlasted Wayland-Cohocton 10-5 in 8 innings in the Far West Regional.

Wayland-Cohocton scored twice in the seventh to knot the contest at 5-5 but Albion answered right back with five in the eighth to claim the win as Mike McCabe had a two-run single and Fitzsimmons a two-run double.

That advanced Albion to the state semifinals where the Purple Eagles usually high scoring offense fell quiet in a 9-1 loss to Johnson City.

Albion managed only two hits and struck out 16 times in the loss which saw Johnson City scored four quick runs in the first inning.

Kendall bested Letchworth 6-2 to win the Section V Class CC title and then used a four run first inning scoring burst to key a 7-1 victory over Red Jacket to claim the overall Section V Class C title and a berth in the state playoffs.

The Eagles then blanked Frewsburg 4-0 in the Far West Regional as Mike Miles hurled a 2 hitter with 9 strikeouts.  A three run first inning provided all the offense the Eagles would need as Tyler McGonigal had an RBI single and Jason Miles a run producing double.

The victory propelled Kendall into the state semifinals where Greenwich rallied for a 9-3 win over the Eagles.

Kendall again jumped out to a quick first inning lead on a double by McGonigal. The Eagles upped the lead to 2-0 in the top of the fifth on a bases loaded walk. However, Greenwich came battling back with 5 runs in the home half of the fifth highlighted by two triples and a double to key the victory and advance to the state finals.

Editor’s Note – 2020 high school Spring sports previews will resume on Monday.