Medina seeks a win in league finale to earn share of the N-O softball championship

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Alyssa Beyer and her Mustang teammates face a key game at Barker Monday as they seek a win to earn a share of the Niagara-Orleans League title.

Taking aim at ending a 12 year title drought, Medina is seeking a win at Barker in the regular season finale Monday to claim a one-third share of the Niagara-Orleans League softball championship.

Roy-Hart and Akron have both already finished the N-O season at 9-3 to earn co-championships.  Medina, which is currently at 8-3, can make it tri-champions with a win at Barker (1-10).

The Mustangs, which last claimed the N-O crown in 2005, have had a strong stretch run going 6-1 to stay in the title chase. That surge has included avenging early season setbacks with wins over Roy-Hart (5-3), Akron (8-2) and Newfane (8-0), a victory on Saturday which knocked the Lady Panthers (8-4) out of title contention.

Though out of title contention themselves, the Medina baseball squad will have a big say in how the N-O championship race finishes out as the Mustangs visit Roy-Hart in the league finale at 7 p.m. Monday.

Defending champion Roy-Hart has already clinched at least a tie for the title at 8-3. The Rams can claim the crown outright by defeating the Mustangs (4-7). However, if Medina scores a win to drop R-H to 8-4 then as many as three other teams – Albion, Barker and Wilson – will all have a chance to claim a share of the crown.

Albion and Wilson are both at 8-4 having completed their league schedules while Barker is also in contention at 7-4. The Raiders would join that logjam at 8-4 with a win over Akron in the league finale Monday.

Sectional playoffs will also get underway this coming week. The seeding meeting for Section VI softball teams is scheduled for Monday night. The seeding meetings for Section V and VI baseball and Section V softball teams will be held Tuesday.

The week will also be highlighted by the N-O All-League track meet at Akron on Wednesday and Thursday.

Week Schedule
Monday
Baseball – Barker at Akron, 4:15 p.m.; Medina at Roy-Hart, 7:30 p.m.
Softball – Medina at Barker, 4:45 p.n.; Lyndonville vs. Wheatland-Chili at Holley, 5:30 p.m.
Tennis – Wilson at Albion, Akron at Barker, Medina at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Silver Creek ,5:30 p.m.

Tuesday
Baseball – Lyndonville at Byron-Bergen, Holley at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.
Softball – Kendall at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.
Tennis – Akron at Albion, 4 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina vs. Gananda at Genesee Community College, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Track – N-O All-League meet at Akron, 4 p.m.

Thursday
Track – N-O All-League meet at Akron, 4 p.m.

N-O Standings
Baseball – Roy-Hart 8-3, Albion 8-4, Wilson 8-4, Barker 7-4, Medina 4-7, Akron 3-7, Newfane 1-10
Softball – Akron 9-3, Roy-Hart 9-3, Medina 8-3, Newfane 8-4, Albion 3-9, Wilson 3-9, Barker 1-10
Tennis – Medina 10-0, Akron 8-2, Wilson 7-4, Albion 6-3, Barker 3-8, Roy-Hart 3-8, Newfane 0-12
Boys Track – Newfane 6-0, Barker 4-1, Albion 3-2, Medina 3-2, Wilson 2-4, Roy-Hart 1-5, Akron 0-5
Girls Track – Akron 5-0, Newfane 5-1, Barker 3-2, Medina 3-2, Wilson 2-4, Albion 1-4, Roy-Hart 0-6