N-O ousts Lancaster in Legion playoffs

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – AJ Seefeldt awaits the ball to try and tag out Christian Pagano at second base during the Niagara Orleans American Legion team’s playoff win over Lancaster this evening at Vets Park.

A big first inning scoring burst provided the spark for the second game in a row as Niagara Orleans downed Lancaster 7-2 in the second round of the Buffalo District American Legion playoffs this evening at Vets Park.

The N-O took the lead for good by scoring four quick runs in the first inning capped off by a two-run triple by AJ Seefeldt. A sacrifice fly by Vinny Mauro and an RBI single by Jackson Strong plated the first two runs of the uprising which was ignited by a leadoff single by Brian Fry.

Fry also doubled to lead off the second inning and came around to score on a double steal play to make it 5-0.

Lancaster scored solo runs in both the fourth and fifth innings on sacrifice flies to cut the deficit to 5-2 but would get no closer.

The N-O got those runs back by scoring once in the fifth on an RBI single by Liam McMurray and once in the sixth on an error.

Lancaster got the bases loaded in the second inning but N-O starting pitcher Ben Eodice got out of the jam with a clutch inning ending strikeout.

Again the the fourth inning the N-O got out of a bases loaded jam as reliever Kyle Finn got the third out on an infield grounder out.

Improving to 13-4 overall, the N-O will next compete in a round robin competition on Saturday involving the three remaining playoff  teams.

In the opening round on Monday the N-O used a huge eight run first inning to key a 17-0 win over Eden.

Vinny Mauro tags out Lancaster’s Matthew Sell at third base.