Mustangs post key win over Rams to clinch a tie for the N-O diamond title

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Joe Cecchini, left, celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run during the Mustangs key win over Roy-Hart this morning at Vets Park.

Clinching at least a tie for the title, defending champion Medina downed Roy-Hart 9-1 this morning in a key Niagara-Orleans League baseball game at Vets Park.

Medina, which took over sole possession of first place with a 9-0 win at Roy-Hart on Thursday, stays undefeated in N-O action at 10-0 while the runner-up Rams slip to 7-2.

Xander Payne went the distance on the mound for Medina scattering 5 hits and striking out 7.

Alex Doval bangs out a hit for Medina.

Medina jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run double by Aiden Paul. Two walks followed by a sacrifice bunt by Alex Doval put runners at second and third setting up the opportunity.

Roy-Hart did cut the deficit to 2-1 in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Jake Gould but the Rams could not cross home plate again.

The Mustangs got that run back with interest in the home half of the fourth by scoring three times to open up a 5-1 advantage.

A leadoff home run by Joe Cecchini into the grandstand in left field ignited that uprising. A single by Doval, a walk and a bunt single by Corey Saj then loaded the bases and Brian Fry capitalized on the opportunity by banging out a two-run double to cap off the key frame.

The Mustangs picked up a solo run in the fifth as Zack Fike doubled and came home on a wild pitch and then capped off the victory with three tallies in the sixth.

AJ Seefeldt had an RBI double and Fike followed up with a two-run double during that uprising which was ignited by a double by Payne.

Medina will close out the N-O season by visiting Wilson on Monday and then hosting the Lakemen on Tuesday.

Roy-Hart has a home and home series against Albion on Monday and Tuesday and then a makeup contest against Akron on Wednesday..