Oneonta trims Medina in Class B Regional

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Kolton Fletcher collides with Oneonta’s Bruce Mistler at second base during the Mustangs Regional loss to the Yellowjackets this afternoon at Frontier High School.

Stymied on just three hits and only one run, Section VI champion Medina dropped a narrow 2-1 decision to Section IV champion Oneonta in the Class B Far West Regional this afternoon at Frontier High School in Hamburg.

A two run home run by Brady Carr over the left field wall in the fifth inning provided the only scoring Oneonta needed.

Medina had grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Ryleigh Culver but the Mustangs could not cross home plate again.

Medina’s only other good scoring threat and only other hits came in the sixth inning. Aidan Papaj and Preston Woodworth led off with back-to-back singles but the Mustangs couldn’t capitalize. The Yellowjackets got out the jam on a double play triggered by third baseman Carr and an inning ending strikeout by Nolan Stark who had only 3 strikeouts on the day.

Oneonta also left the bases loaded in the second inning and runners stranded at second and third in the third frame as Medina pitcher Brody Fry bore down to register clutch inning ending strikeouts both times. Fry allowed only 4 hits and struck out 8 in six and one-third innings of work on the mound. Lukas Grimes came on to get the final two outs after Fry reached his pitch limit.

Medina, which was making its third appearance in the state playoffs in the last four years, finishes the season at 22-2 while Oneonta advances to the state semifinals with a 20-3 record.

Ryleigh Culver singled in Medina’s lone run.

Medina’s Brady Christiaansen hauls in a fly ball in right field.