Nationals bow in tourney final

Erupting for six quick runs in the first inning, Lou Gehrig went on to edge past the Niagara Nationals 12-9 Sunday in the championship game of the Clarence Tournament.

Brian Fry had 3 hits, including a double, for the Nationals. Sam Murphy added 2 hits as Nate Sherman had a double and 2 RBIs and Chris Goyette a single and 2 RBIs. Dom Cassata and Matt Lyskawa also had doubles.

The Nationals advanced to the title contest by defeating Clarence 6-5. Fry had 2 hits and Goyette a double as Sherman, Mitchell Holtz and Lyskawa each added a hit.

The Nationals opened the tournament by defeating the WNY Elite 10-3. Goyette had 2 doubles, Liam Ward and Murphy each added a single and double and Hunter Briggs 2 hits. Fry, Lyskawa and Cassata each had a hit. Ward also pitched 3 shutout innings with 3 strikeouts and no hits. Trevor Luthart hurled one scoreless inning with 3 strikeouts and no hits.

In the second round, the Nationals defeated Lou Gehrig 10-2. Holz had a double and single, Fry 2 singles, Sherman and Murphy doubles and Lyskawa, Cassata, Luthart, Goyette and Briggs singles. Dell’oso hurled 2 innings with 4 strikeouts and 1 hit.

The Nationals next defeated Clarence 14-5. Lyskawa had 2 doubles and a single, Fry and Goyette 2 singles, Cassata a double and Sherman, Luthart, Murphy and Holtz singles. Goyette pitched 3 innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 and Luthart 3 innings giving up 2 hits and striking out 1.