Medina girls score in last at bat to nip Albion

Phots by Cheryl Wertman – Medina catcher Baileigh McAdoo tags out Albion’s Maya Knaak to prevent the go ahead run from scoring in the top of the seventh inning. Medina answered with a run in the last of the seventh to claim a 4-3 win at Vets Park.

Opening the league season on a high note, Medina pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to nip rival Albion 4-3 in a Niagara-Orleans softball game at Vets Park this afternoon.

Lily Carpenter led off the last of the seventh with a single and came home with the winning run on a fielders choice play off the bat of Miriam Fike.

Albion’s Janessa Lindsey slides into third base ahead of a tag by Medina’s Rylee VanNostrand.

Albion had rallied into a 3-3 tie by scoring once in the sixth on back-to-back doubles by Kenzi Hapeman and Mackenzie Snook and once in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch. A hit batter, an error and a bunt single by Madison Hughson loaded the bases to set up that threat.

The Purple Eagles left runners stranded at second and third in the sixth as groundouts to pitcher Faith Oberther and to Fike at shortstop ended the uprising.

Medina then got out of further trouble in the seventh by turning a clutch inning ending double play from Oberther to first baseman Lorelei Sanders to catcher Baileigh McAdoo.

Medina had grabbed a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning on a two-run single by Sanders. Leadoff singles by Oberther and McAdoo set up that opportunity.

Oberther went the distance in the circle allowing 5 hits and striking out 4. She retired 12 batters in a row at one stretch from the second inning into the sixth as McAdoo, Fike, Rylee VanNostrand at third and Eva Lacy at second took turns getting outs.

Sanders and Fike both finished with two hits as did Aly Knaak for Albion.

Albion, which is now 0-2 in the league next host Akron on Friday while Medina visits Newfane that same afternoon.

Medina’s Baileigh McAdoo crosses home plate as Albion catcher Cami London awaits the ball.