Photo by Mike Wertman – The senior trio of Kasey Menge, Madison Rath and Chelsea Wright  will help anchor the lineup for the Kendall softball team this season.

Seven returning starters anchor the lineup for the Kendall softball squad as the Lady Eagles look to improve upon last years 5-12 (3-11 Genesee Region League) record.

The senior battery of pitcher Chelsea Wright, a four year starter and G-R All-Star last year, and catcher Kasey Menge, a three year starter and Honorable Mention G-R selection, along with senior first baseman Madison Rath, also a three year starter and G-R Honorable Mention pick, head that veteran group.

The veteran infield also includes junior Michela Hanlon at second base, senior Emily Mattle at third base and senior Eliya Cooper at shortstop as freshman Rebecca Banker also returns in left field.

The Lady Eagles lineup also received a boost with the addition of senior Lizzie Rath in centerfield.

Kendall’s roster also includes senior Ruth Seabolt (outfield/second base) and juniors Kierstyn Christensen (third base), Ashley Kingsbury (third base), Adriana Passarell (outfield) and, Shianna Patten (outfield).

“We’re going to be pretty solid,” said Coach Jeff Parizek.”We need to make the routine plays defensively, take advantage of runners in scoring position as much as possible and work hard day in and day out in a very competitive G-R League.”

The Lady Eagles are scheduled to open G-R competition at Notre Dame on Monday.

Schedule
(Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted)
April: 3 – at Notre Dame, 4 – Monroe (4:45 p.m.), 7 – Wheatland-Chili, 11 – at Lyndonville, 13 – Elba,  21 – Alexander, 25 – Byron-Bergen, 27 – at Holley, 28 – Pembroke, 29 – Wilson Magnet (11 a.m.).
May: 1 – at Attica, 2 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 3 – Notre Dame, 4 – Northstar, 8 – at Wheatland-Chili, 9 – Lyndonville, 10 – at Wilson Magnet, 11 – at Elba.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Set to lead Medina into the defense of its Niagara-Orleans League tennis title is this group of returnees. In front are Abel Zavitz, Nick Bogan and Kyla Leno. In back are Brandon Harris, Toby Kiebala, Mike Cardone, Kristian Snyder and Ray Paull.

Boasting a good nucleus of eight returning regulars, the Medina High tennis squad is prepping to defend its Niagara-Orleans League title.

Senior Kristian Snyder, a three time first team N-O All-League honoree, heads that veteran contingent whig also includes seniors Mike Cardone, Nick Bogan, Kyla Leno, Brandon Harris, Abel Zavitz along with junior Toby Kiebala and sophomore Ray Paull.  Cardone and Leno were both second team N-O selections while Bogan and Paull both received Honroable Mention.

“We’re glad to have as much experience as we do now we have to make the most of it,” said Coach Chris Horgan whose Mustangs have claimed the N-O title four of the last five years.

The Mustangs main loss to graduation was Tristan Sanders who earned first team N-O All-League honors.

The Mustangs are slated to begin defense of their title at Albion on Monday.

Schedule
April: 3 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.; 19 – at Wilson, 4 p.m.; 21 – at Newfane, 4 p.m.; 24 – Barker, 4 p.m.; 26 – Akron, 4 p.m.
May: 3 – Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.; 4 – Albion, 4 p.m.; 5 – Wilson, 4 p.m.; 8 – Newfane, 4 p.m.;10 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Akron, 4 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Barker tennis squad include, in front, Nick Sutch and Nick Fazzolari. In back are Grace Harris, Marisa Jowdy, Natalie Bruning and Maya Gooding. Misisng from the photo are Zander Israel and Christian Young.

A year ago an inexperienced, underclassmen dominated Barker tennis team endured the learning and growing pains of an 0-12 Niagara-Orleans League season. Now,  the Raiders return a large veteran contingent with which to improve upon that record.

Senior Nick Fazzolari, who earned second team N-O all-League honors, heads that veteran group which also includes seniors Nick Sutch and Maya Gooding, juniors Marisa Jowdy and Grace Harris, sophomores Zander Israel and Christian Young and eighth grader Natalie Bruning.

Tim Daley takes over the coaching reins for the Raiders which are scheduled to open N-O competition at Akron on April 4.

Schedule
(Matches at 4 p.m.)
April: 5 – at Akron, 19 – Newfane, 20 – Wilson, 21 – Albion, 24 – at Medina, 26 – at Roy-Hart.
May: 1 – Akron, 3 – at Wilson, 5 – at Newfane, 8 – at Albion, 10 – Medina, 11 – Roy-Hart.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for defending champion Roy-Hart is this quartet of senior veterans including Brendan Hess, Jake Stern, Eric Fitch and Cam Meadows.

Last spring Roy-Hart ended a 60 year plus long drought by capturing the Niagara-Orleans League baseball championship. Now the Rams return a solid nucleus of veterans with which to defend that title.

The senior quartet of Jake Stern (catcher), Eric Fitch (third base/catcher), Brendan Hess (shortstop) and Cam Meadows (pitcher/outfield) head the Rams veteran contingent which also includes juniors Al Xapsos (outfield), Jake Bruning (pitcher/outfield) and Ben Schwab (pitcher) and sophomores Charlie Bruning (pitcher/first base), Nick Kubas, Matt Maines (outfield) and Tim Maines (second base).

Meadows and Xapsos both earned second team N-O All-League honors last year while Charlie Bruning received Honorable Mention.

The Rams roster also includes seniors Austin Walker and Nick Ander and sophomore Charlie Brigham.

“We have more quality depth at pitcher and on defense this season,” said Coach Jeff Ziemicki whose Rams last spring captured the school’s first N-O diamond championship since 1953.

Roy-Hart’s key losses to graduation include first team N-O honorees Andy Xapsos (infield) and Justin Heschke (outfield) along with second team selection Ben Maynard (outfield).

The Rams, which went 12-2 in N-O action last year is scheduled to begin their title defense at Barker on April 5.

Schedule:
April: 3 – Maritime, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 7 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Lockport, 12 p.m.; 12 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 18 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Medina, 7:30 p.m.; 21 – North Tonawanda, 5 p.m.; 22 – St. Mary’s Lancaster, 1 p.m.; 24 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 26 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 28 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.

May: 1 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 2 – at CSAT, 4:45 p.m.; 3 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – Medina, 7:30 p.m.; 9 – Tonawnada, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 15 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – – Medina’s Mason Lewis works to avoid two Gowanda defenders during the Mustangs win over the Panthers this afternoon at Vets Park.

Medina’s DaRon Bellan tries to work away from a Gowanda defender.

Roaring out to a commanding seven goal first period lead, Medina went on to defeat Gowanda 19-8 in the Class D Division season opening lacrosse game this afternoon at Vets Park.

A lightning quick goal just 28 seconds into the game by Coby Albone ignited Medina’s decisive uprising. Albone and Brendan Luthart both scored 3 goals and Jake Cotter 2 in the period which finished with the Mustangs up 8-1.

A four goal scoring burst by Cotter in the second period kept Medina in command by a 12-4 margin at the half.

The Mustangs held a 17-6 lead at the three-quarter mark as Luthart and Mason Lewis both tallied twice in the third period.

Cotter finished with a total of 7 goals, Luthart 6, Albone 4 and Lewis 2.

Tate Curry and Jamari Benton each scored 3 goals for Gowanda.

Now at 2-0 on the young season, Medina next visits Salamanca for a D Division contest at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Brendan Luthart puts a shot on goal for Medina.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Albion tennis team include, in front, Matt Kovaleski, Owen Foos, Emilie Barleben and Haley Bader. In back are Victor Benjovsky, Connor McQuillan, Donato Rosario, Kastriot Bela and Nate Smith.

Filling graduation losses at the three singles spots is key for the Albion tennis team as the Purple Eagles prep for the April 3 Niagara-Orleans League home opener against defending champion Medina.

Albion finished in the runner-up spot last year at 10-2 including handing Medina (11-1) its only loss.

The Purple Eagles return a good veteran nucleus including sophomores Connor McQuillan and Matt Kovaleski, juniors Victor Benjovsky, Haley Bader and Nate Smith along with seniors Emilie Barleben, Owen Foos, Donato Rosario and Kastriot Bela.

Albion’s graduation losses include the singles trio of Dylan Bader, Daniel Beam and Josh Metzler who each earned first team N-O All-League honors.

“We’ve got a good group back and we’ll be ready for it,” said Coach Jay Kovaleski. “I think the league will be very interesting this season. I’m looking for a lot of closely contested matches.”

Schedule
(Matches at 4 p.m.)

April:  3 – Medina, 5 – at Newfane, 7 – Akron, 19 – Roy-Hart, 21 – at Barker, 24 – at Wilson.
May: 1 – Newfane, 3 – Akron, 4 – at Medina, 5 – at Roy-Hart, 8 – Barker, 10 – Wilson, 17 and 18 N-O Doubles Tournament at Barker.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the Lyndonville softball squad’s lineup this season are these returnees. In front are Makenzie Muck, Miranda Lembcke and Aubrey Lewis. In back are Amanda Drown, Stacy Buckland, Brianna Paniccia and Kennedy Clark. Missing from the photo is Anna Lewis.

Boasting a good nucleus of eight returnees, the Lyndonville Lady Tigers softball squad is prepping to defend their Genesee Region League Division 2 title.

The Lady Tigers veteran group includes seniors Makenzie Muck (pitcher/first base), Aubrey Lewis (shortstop), Stacy Buckland (pitcher/outfield), Brianna Paniccia (outfield), Amanda Drown (second base/outfield) and Kennedy Clark (outfield) along with junior Miranda Lembcke (catcher) and sophomore Anna Lewis (centerfield).

“Pitching and hitting will be the big keys,” said Coach Joe Moore. “We won a lot of close games last year so their confidence is better and they believe in themselves.”

Lyndonville, which went 12-2 in the league and 16-5 overall last spring, is scheduled to open the G-R season at Wheatland-Chili on April 5.

Schedule
April: 3 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – Northstar 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 26 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.

May: 1 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – at Wilson 4:45 p.m.; 5 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – at Newfane, 11 a.m.; 8 – Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading the Albion softball squad this season will be this group of veterans. In front are Skyler Smith and Isabella Prest. In back are Brylie Hapeman, Sierra Newton, Natalie DiCureia and Janae Doty.

Hit hard by graduation, the Albion softball squad faces a bit of a rebuilding job heading into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season.

Seniors Isabella Prest (outfield) and Skyler Smith (pitcher) along with juniors Natalie DiCureia (infield/catcher) and Janae Doty (infield) and sophomores Brylie Hapeman (outfield), Sierra Newton (infield) and Catherine Wolck (infield) anchor the Purple Eagles squad. Prest earned second team N-O All-League honors while DiCureia was an Honorable Mention selection.

Albion’s graduation losses include pitcher/infielder Meghan Hurley, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, along with the Honorable Mention quartet of Ashlee Bocach (infield), Ellen Narburgh (pitcher), Kelsee Soule (infield) and Olivia Prest (catcher).

“It will be a rebuilding year for us as we lost a lot of seniors,” said Coach Cathy Schmitt. “We will need a complete team effort. The kids will have to step up to the plate and be ready to play any position we need them to play.”

Albion, which went 7-7 in N-O competition last spring, will open the league season at home against Newfane on April 3.

Schedule
March: 29 – at Lew-Port, 4:45 p.m.; 30 – at Lockport, 4:45 p.m.

April: 1 – Spencerport, 1 p.m.; 3 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Dunkirk, 12 p.m.; 19 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 21 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 26 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.

May: 1 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 2 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 3 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 8 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – at Aquinas, 5 p.m.; 11 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – at Lake Placid, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Lake Placid, 4:30 p.m.