Photo by Mike Wertman – Albion’s veteran group includes Liam Ward, Jake Buzard, Bryce Pritchard, Vincent Zona and JaQuess Harrison.

The accent is certainly on youth for the Albion varsity baseball squad this season as the Purple Eagles lineup includes only one senior.

The veteran quintet of senior Jake Buzard (catcher/outfield), junior JaQuess Harrison (shortstop/pitcher), sophomores Bryce Pritchard (first base/pitcher) and Vincent Zona (outfield/pitcher) and freshman Liam Ward (infield/pitcher) anchors the Albion squad. Pritchard earned second team Niagara-Orleans All-League honors last spring.

The Purple Eagles roster also includes juniors Antonio Vallejo-Miler (outfield), Brian VanWycke (outfield), Nate Fearby (outfield/pitcher) and Austin Dugan (outfield) along with sophomores Harrison Brown (catcher/infield) and Addison Christ (infield/pitcher) and freshman Thomas Furmanski (infield/pitcher).

“We’re young,” said Coach Bruce Blanchard. “We have quite a few arms but they are all young. We’ve got good athletes who have good baseball sense it’s just a matter of getting them experience.”

The Purple Eagles major graduation losses include pitcher/infielder Brady Meakin, who earned first team N-O honors, along with the second team All-League trio of pitcher/first baseman Evan Pappalardo, pitcher/infielder Jason Downs and designated hitter Randy Eblacker.

Albion, which went 9-5 in N-O competition last year, is slated to begin league action at Akron on April 5.

Schedule
March: 31 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.

April: 1 – Alden, 12 p.m.; 4 – Kenmore, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 7 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.15 – at St. Mary’s Lancaster, 12 p.m.; 19 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 21 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 24 – Canisius, 4:45 p.m.; 25 – at Alden, 4:30 p.m.; 27 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 28 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.

May: 1 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 3 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 8 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – Aquinas, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Niagara Falls, 12 p.m.

Sacred Heart trimmed Vets Club 36-34 Monday to gain a little on Medina Euchre League leader Legion which dropped a 40-30 decision to JR Wilson.

Legion is now 917-833 on the season, Sacred Heart 904-846, JR Wilson 873-877 and Vets Club 806-944.

League competition resumes on April 3 with position round match ups of Sacred Heart at Legion and Vets Club at JR Wilson.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina goalie Mason Pecoraro is surrounded by Lockport’s trio of Dorian Byrd (1), Nick James (34) and Garrett Yensan (19) during the Mustangs season opening win over the visiting Lions this evening at Vets Park.

Medina’s Ian Joseph works the ball up field around Lockport defender Nick James.

Surviving a fourth quarter challenge, Medina trimmed visiting Lockport 12-10 in the season opening non league lacrosse game this evening at Vets Park.

Up 10-6, Medina saw Lockport surge back into a 10-10 tie by erupting for four quick goals, the first three of the short handed variety, in the first three minutes of the final stanza.  Antonyho Lloyd and Jack Bull each scored two goal for the Lions during that spurt.

However, Medina answered back with a pair of unanswered goals to claim the victory. Jake Cotter scored what proved to be the game winner with 6:09 to go and Brendan Luthart tacked on an insurance tally with 5:03 remaining.

Cotter finished with a total of 4 goals and Luthart 3 as Mason Lewis added 2 and DaRon Bellan, Coby Albone and Christian Silversmith 1 each.

Bull took game high scoring honors with 5 goals for Lockport as Josh Rucci added 3 and Lloyd 2.

Medina also got off to a fast start grabbing a 5-1 first period lead on goals by Albone, Lewis, Cotter, Bellan and Silversmith.

A pair of second period goals by Cotter kept Medina up 7-4 at the half.

The Mustangs maintained a 10-6 lead at the three-quarter mark as Luthart netted 2 goals and Lewis 1.

Medina next hosts Gowanda at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Class D Division opener.

Softball
Niagara Falls 7, Roy-Hart 1

Stymied on just 4 hits, Roy-Hart dropped a 7-1 decision to host Niagara Falls in the Lady Rams non league season opener.

Lexi Lovewell had 2 hits, including a solo home run, for Roy-Hart.

Contributed Photo – Scott Bradley competes in the bike portion of the Puerto Rico 70.3 triathlon on March 19.

Based on his race results from 2016, Lyndonville native Scott Bradley has entered the 2017 triathlon competition season with a high national and international ranking.

According to the USA Triathlon rankings, Bradley, who competes in the 30-34 age group, ranks 59th (32nd among those from the U.S.) among 10,466 competitors for 2016. Among those competing in three or more events he ranks 27th (20th in the U.S.). Any triathlete from anywhere in the world who competes in a USTA sanctioned event within the Inited States receives a score.

Among athletes residing in the Northeast U.S., Bradley ranks third among triathlete of all ages. And among those competing in three or more events he ranks No.1 in both the Northeast and in New York State.

Bradley opened what will be a very busy competitive season by placing 17th out of 22 Pros and 19th overall out of 1,558 participants at the Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico on March 19. The 70. 3 includes a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile (half marathon) run.

Bradley came out of the water 22nd out of 22 Male Pros in a time of 30.42.  He then overcame a flat tire to post a time of 2:17.05 on the bike to move up to 18th among the Pros and 28th overall.  His run of 1:26.50 moved into 17th place among the Pros and 19th overall.

Bradley will next compete in the Boston Marathon in April. The remainder of his season will include a 70.3 in Cambridge, MD., in June; a 140.6 in Lake Placid in July; 70.3’s in Dublin, Ireland and Tonsbery, Norway in August; in Augusta GA. in September and in Miami, FL and (tentatively) Austin, TX in October.

Bradley is the Assistant Principal at Byron -Bergen Junior-Senior High School.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Lyndonville’s veteran group includes, in front, Eric Neace, Corey Hydock and Zach Johnson. In back are Jacob Hoffee, Nolan Donald, Michael Wells, Cody Bentley and Dawson Joy.

Anchored by a strong nucleus of eight returning starters, Lyndonville is taking aim at extending its streak of Genesee Region League division title seasons.

The Tigers went 8-2 in the league a year ago (15-5 overall) to claim a third straight G-R Division 2 title.

Lyndonville’s large veteran group includes seniors Jacob Hoffee (pitcher/shortstop), Michael Wells (third base/pitcher), Eric Neace (first base), Corey Hydock (catcher), Cody Bentley (second base), Nolan Donald (outfield), Dawson Joy third base/outfield) and sophomore Zach Johnson (pitcher/outfield).

Hoffee, Wells, Neace and Joy all earned G-R All-Star honors.  Wells also received first team Class D All-Star honors while Neace was a third team honoree.

Hoffee hit .417 with 16 RBIs and had a 1.41 earned run average on the mound. Wells hit .508 with 43 RBIs and an era. of 1.30. Neace hit .525 with 23 RBIs and Joy .422 with 20 RBIs.

“We’ve got a nice nucleus back,” said Coach Shane Price. “Our pitching and our senior leadership are our strengths. The keys will be to stay healthy and for our pitchers to attack the hitters with the new pitch count regulations that are in place.”

The Tigers are scheduled to open the season at Barker on March 31.

Schedule

March: 31 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.

April : 3 – CG Finney, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – Lima Christian, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – Pembroke ,4:30 p.m.; 27 – Northstar, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.

May: 1 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 2 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – Notre Dame ,4:30 p.m.; 8 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 15 – at CG Finney, 4:30 p.m.

Medina 1 beat Tony Nemi Sportsmen Club 8-4 in Kenan Indoor Soccer League action over the weekend.

Steven Daskavitz led the scoring for Medina with 3 goals and an assist. Elian Gonzalez followed with 2 goals and 2 assists. Adam Cifelli had 2 goals, Kaleigh Kuzma contributed a goal and Andrew Houseman 2 assists.

Medina 1 is now 2-3-1.

The Medina 2 team dropped a 12-4 decision to MP Construction.

Nick Albone and Nick Guay each scored two goals for Medina which is now 1-2-2.

Medina High graduates Kyle Barna and Blade Garlow scored a total of 6 goals to help spark Pfeiffer University to its fourth straight lacrosse victory, 8-6 over Greensboro on Saturday.

Breaking away from a 5-5 deadlock, Pfeiffer regained the lead for good on back-to-back goals by Barna to open the decisive final period.  Barna had a total of 4 goals on the day.

Garlow then netted the clinching goal after Greensboro had cut the Pfeiffer lead to one at 7-6.  Garlow had 2 goals and an assist.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Medina softball team include, in front, Alisha Scroger, Brandi Guild and Destiny Satkowski. In back are Kayla Cuadra, Cora Payne, Ryenn Oliver and Lexi Neuman. Missing from the photo are Emily Kams and Nicole Cooper.

Bolstered by a large nucleus of nine returnees to anchor the lineup the Medina softball squad is looking to contend for Niagara-Orleans honors this spring after going 8-6 in league competition last year.

Senior pitcher Emily Kams, who earned first team N-O All-League honors last year, along with shortstop Alisha Scroger and centefielder Destiny Satkowsk, both juniors who were both second team selections, head Medina’s veteran group.

That contingent also includes seniors Kayla Cuadra (outfield), Lexi Neuman (outfield) and Nicole Cooper (infield) along with sophomores Brandi Guild (third base/catcher), Ryenn Oliver (pitcher/outfield) and Cora Payne (pitcher/infield).

The Mustangs roster also includes junior Alyssa Beyer (outfield), sophomore Ashlee Howell (catcher/outfield) and freshman Morgan Allis (infield).

“We’re looking for our returning experience to help lead us along with a lot of youth to fill the vacancies,” said Coach Amber Cleaveland.

The Mustangs graduation losses include Davina Birch (catcher), Courtney Bailey (first base) and Haylee Cogovan (second base).

The Mustangs are scheduled to open N-O competition at home against Barker on April 4.

Schedule

March: 30 – Cheektowaga, 7:30 p.m.

April: 3 – Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 6 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 7 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.;  19 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 21 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 24 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 25 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 28 – Akron, 5 p.m.; 29  – at Depew Tournament.

May: 1 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 3 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 8 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 15 – at Cheektowaga, 4:45 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the Holley baseball squad’s lineup will be this quartet of veterans including Dylan Hillabush, Sam Lammes, Patrick Bower and Collin Papaj.

A strong veteran nucleus up the middle will anchor the lineup for Holley this season as the Hawks look to defend their Genesee Region League Division I baseball title.

That veteran quartet includes junior catcher Patrick Bower, senior pitcher Dylan Hillabush, junior shortstop Sam Lammes and senior center fielder Collin Papaj. Bower and Lammes will also see action on the mound.

Hillabush and Papaj both earned G-R All-Star honors last spring. Hillabush also received second team Class B All-State honors.

“With the new pitch count regulations it will be a bit of a challenge if we get into a three or four game week but we’re looking to do well,” said Coach Jason Cole.

The Hawks have an all Holley roster this season after combining with Kendall last spring. This year Kendall is fielding only JV and Modified teams with plans to resume varsity competition next year.

Holley is scheduled to begin G-R competition at Lyndonville on April 5.  The Hawks schedule will also feature games a the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach over the Easter holiday break.

Schedule

April: 4 – at LeRoy, 4:30 p.m.; 5 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 18- vs. Greece Odyssey at Myrtle Beach; 19- vs. Atlantic County Institute of Technology at Myrtle Beach; 25 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 27 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.

May: 1 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 2 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – Lyndonvlle ,4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Notre Dame ,4:30 p.m.; 15 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.