Mustangs edge rival Rams in Class B semifinal

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Julian Woodworth slides into third base just ahead of a tag by Roy-Hart’s Dawson Draper during this evening’s Section VI Class B semifinal at Vets Park.

In a tight rivalry contest, top seeded Medina edged No. 4 Roy-Hart 3-1 in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class B baseball playoffs this evening at Vets Park.

Roy-Hart grabbed a lighting quick 1-0 lead on back-to-back doubles by Rem Albee and Brayden Hy to open the game. However, the Rams could not cross home plate again.

Medina rallied into a 2-1 lead by scoring twice in the second inning on an RBI single by Brandon Christiaansen and a passed ball as leadoff singles by Carter Woodworth and Richard Keppler ignited the rally.

The Mustangs later added a big insurance run in the sixth inning on a two-out RBI single by Ryleigh Culver.

Julian Woodworth pitched the first three and one-third innings for the Mustangs allowing 2 hits and striking out 4. Preston Woodworth came on to hurl the final three and two-third innings giving up no hits and striking out 9. He registered clutch strikeouts to end the fourth and fifth innings as Roy-Hart stranded a pair of runners in both frames. He then struck out two in the sixth inning and three in the seventh.

Improving to 18-1 overall Medina will next face the winner of the No. 2 Fredonia vs. No. 3 Portville semifinal in the Section VI Class B championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grand Island High School.

Roy-Hart’s Evan Poeller goes high to get the out on Medina’s Vinny Gray at first base.