N-O diamond title chase is tight four way race

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 April 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Devonte Howard and his Mustang teammates are in a tight four way race for the Niagara-Orleans League baseball title.

It’s too bad that Mother Nature is not a baseball fan because despite repeated interruptions due to bad weather the Niagara-Orleans League title race is developing into a very competitive, tight four way battle.

Akron and Roy-Hart are currently tied for first place at 5-1 followed closely by defending champion Albion at 4-1 and Medina at 5-2.

In head-to-head match ups to date, Akron has defeated Roy-Hart (10-6) and Albion (8-7), Roy-Hart has defeated Medina (14-3), Medina has defeated Akron (4-1) and Albion has defeated Medina (7-5).

Including today’s washout, the N-O has a total of eight games to make up including two big ones for Albion against Roy-Hart and the rematch against Akron which had been scheduled for today.

In the Genesee Region League, Lyndonville is off to a strong 7-0 start including close wins over Norte Dame (6-4), Byron-Bergen (4-1) and Alexander (3-1). The Tigers are 9-0 overall.

Weather related postponements have hit the N-O softball schedule even harder than the baseball as Roy-Hart for example has played only two of the nine games which has been scheduled to date.

In fact, including today’s washout, the N-O has some 19 softball games to make up.

Roy-Hart, at 2-0, is the only unbeaten team while Akron and Wilson are deadlocked at 3-1 while Barker, which has played the most games, is at 4-2.

In the G-R League plans are already underway to schedule five inning doubleheaders but ironically rain washed out the first of those twin bills, Lyndonville vs. Notre Dame, on Tuesday.

Lyndonville is off to a 2-0 start in the league. The Lady Tigers are 4-0 overall.

The N-O tennis league, which was scheduled to reach the halfway point of the season today, is likewise very backed up due to the persistent bad weather.

Defending champion Medina for example is only 2-0 with four matches to makeup.

Wilson currently has the most wins at 4-1 followed by Albion at 3-1 and Barker at 3-2.

The N-O track competition has not been immune from the effects of the bad weather as Roy-Hart has meets against Medina/Lyndonville and Newfane postponed until after the All-League meet. In addition, the outcome of the Barker vs. Medina/Lyndonville girls meet is still up in the air as the shot-put and discus were not able to be held during last week’s meet due to wet grounds.