Medina tops Albion to hike N-O lead

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina catcher Ryleigh Culver gets set to tag out Albion’s Nathan Gibson at home plate during the Mustangs win over the Purple Eagles at Vets Park this evening. Preston Woodworth backs  up the play for the Mustangs.

Medina combined a rainy 6-2 victory over rival Albion at Vets Park this evening with Newfane’s 4-2 win at Roy-Hart this afternoon to open up a two game lead in the Niagara-Orleans League baseball title chase.

Improving to 6-1 with the win, Medina moves two games up on a trio of runner-up teams including Roy-Hart at 4-3 and Newfane and Wilson both at 6-3.

Albion jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Josh Bovenzi but Medina got out of further trouble in the frame as a relay from Julian Woodworth in centerfield to Aidan Papaj at second to Ryleigh Culver at catcher cut down another runner at home plate.

Medina pulled even in the third inning on an RBI single by Papaj and then moved on top to stay at 3-1 with a pair of runs in the fourth frame on RBI singles by Richard Keppler and Brandon Christiaansen.

Albion closed the gap to 3-2 with a run in the top of the fifth on an RBI double by Kaiden Froman but could get no closer.

The Mustangs then put together a key three run scoring burst in the home half of the fifth on a two-run double by Preston Woodworth and a fielders choice play off the bat of Keppler to extend the advantage to 6-2.

Preston Woodworth pitched the first four and one-third innings scattering 4 hits and striking out 2. Papaj came on to hurl the final two and two-thirds inning allowing no hits and fanning 4 as he struck out the side in the seventh.

Medina will next visit Albion at 4 p.m. Monday.

Albion third baseman Gavin Boyce tags out Medina’s Aidan Papaj.

Newfane 4, Roy-Hart 2
Trailing 1-0, Newfane rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning without the benefit of a hit to down Roy-Hart 4-2.

A squeeze bunt by Konner Courtemanche pulled the Panthers even and a passed ball plated the game winner.

Cam Perry pitched a two hitter with four strikeouts for the Panthers.

Roy-Hart had grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a two out RBI double by Rem Albee in the third inning.

The Rams only other run came on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh.

N-O Standings
Medina 6-1, Newfane 6-3, Wilson 6-3, Roy-Hart 4-3, Akron 3-5, Albion 2-5, Barker 0-7.