Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Hawley’s Office: Assemblyman Steve Hawley, right of wreath, poses for a photo with Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, left of wreath, and veterans in front of the Vietnam War Memorial during last year’s Patriot Trip to Washington D.C.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced that his annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C. will take place from Sept. 19 to Sept. 22.
This will mark the 12th year Hawley has hosted the trip which allows local veterans and their family members to visit a host of famous military memorials in the Washington D.C. area. The group will be staying in the Bethesda Marriott Hotel.
Hawley, serving on the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since 2006, was influential in expanding college benefits for the spouses and dependents of deceased and disabled veterans earlier this year.
Please note that only veterans who have never been on the trip before may sign up now. After Aug. 1, veterans who have been on the trip before and those living outside of the 139th Assembly District may apply. Each veteran can invite one guest. The approximate cost of the trip is $400 per person and that includes meals, transportation and admission to the memorials.
“The Patriot Trip is one of my favorite events throughout the year,” Hawley said. “This trip was inspired by Mike Paduchak, a World War II veteran, who asked me to come together with local veterans and host a trip to Washington D.C. Through the experiences of my father, veterans I have met during previous year’s trips, and my own service in the military, I have gained a tremendous understanding and admiration for the sacrifices endured by our veterans. It is for these reasons that I continue the Patriot Trip each year and have solidified it as one of the staples of my service to our community.”
Attractions on this year’s trip include:
White House (**Guests who want to visit the White House must sign up and have a deposit prior to June 30**)
Gettysburg
Capitol
Air Force Memorial
Pentagon/911 Memorial
WWII Memorial
Korean Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Museum
Arlington National Cemetery
Wreath Laying Ceremony at Tomb of the Unknowns
If you or a veteran you know want more information about this year’s Patriot Trip XII, please call 585-589-5780 or email carneyj@nyassembly.gov. To view photos from previous years, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2019 at 7:50 am
New fire pit at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Albion is available to community
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new masonry fire pit at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Albion was used for its first flag retirement ceremony on Wednesday evening. The fire pit was Harrison Brown’s Eagle Scout project.
The top photo shows Boy Scout Sawyer Braley, left, and Air Force veteran Justin Niederhofer presenting a flag to be retired. About 20 flags were retired during the ceremony. Niederhofer also is Harrison’s neighbor in Carlton.
Harrison Brown salutes while a flag is retired.
Harrison, 18, is a member of Troop 164 in Albion, which is sponsored by Holy Family Parish, the owner of the cemetery on Route 31.
The troop typically takes retired flags to Camp Dittmer, a Boy Scout camp in Phelps, Ontario County.
Other local troops use barrels for the fire to retire flags.
“We wanted a better way to memorialize the flags,” Brown said.
Harrison Brown and his mother, Margy, retire a flag. Harrison saw a similar fire pit on the reality television show, “Are You Tougher Than A Boy Scout?”
He led a group of Scouts in constructing the fire pit, which is on the east side of the cemetery. Most of the work happened last summer. Jim Babcock, a local contractor, helped the Scouts cut stone and build the fire pit. It includes a concrete base, and two stone sections – one for the fire pit and a chamber for the propane tank, with a fire wall separating the two sections.
Orleans Construction donated concrete for the base, Lakeshore Property Management gave topsoil for the site, and Ian McNabb of John Welch Enterprises in Rochester provided the engineering services in designing the fire pit. Contracts Unlimited in Lockport made the cover.
Brad Shelp and Boy Scout Ethan Merrill present a flag in the fire pit. The fire pit is available to any Scout or veteran’s organization in the community. To reserve the fire pit, call the Holy Family Parish office at (585) 589-4243 or contact a member of Troop 164.
Harrison Brown speaks during the flag retirement ceremony. His Court of Honor ceremony is June 15 for when he officially becomes an Eagle Scout.
He is planning to attend Cornell University this fall to major in agricultural sciences. He also will be in the Army ROTC.
Eric Brown, assistant Scoutmaster and Harrison’s father, salutes during the flag retirement ceremony.
Ben Hickman, left, and Sawyer Braley present the first flag to retired during Wednesday’s ceremony. Harrison Brown said ashes from the flags will likely be kept in jars from each retirement ceremony.
Vietnam War veteran Bob Wells watches one of the flags be retired.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 May 2019 at 8:31 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Stacy Buckland hurled Lyndonville to a semifinal win over Bolivar-Richburg this afternoon at Cal-Mum.
One good late inning scoring burst rallied top seeded Lyndonville to a narrow 3-2 win over No. 4 Bolivar-Richburg this afternoon in the semifinal round of the Section V Class C3 softball playoffs at Caledonia-Mumford.
Bolivar-Richburg scored twice in the top of the fifth but Lyndonville answered right back with the decisive three runs in the home half of the frame.
The three runs all came with two outs on an RBI single by Lorelei Dillenbeck followed by a two-run double by Gracie Johnson. An error and a double by Cassie Boyce gave the Lady Tigers runners at second and third setting up the threat. Johnson had 2 hits on the afternoon.
Bolivar-Richburg did get two runners aboard in the sixth but Lyndonville pitcher Stacy Buckland quickly ended the threat by getting the next two batters out. She then retired the side in order in the seventh to close out the win.
On the day, Buckland allowed 5 hits and struck out 6.
Improving to 17-1, Lyndonville next faces No. 3 Keshequa for the C3 title on Friday at a site to be determined.
Keshequa defeated No. 2 South Seneca 11-7 in the other semifinal.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 May 2019 at 6:53 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Zach Johnson delivers strike three for the final out of his no hitter this afternoon as the Tigers blanked visiting Keshequa in a sectional quarterfinal.
Riding the sparkling no hit pitching performance of senior Zach Johnson, top seeded Lyndonville blanked visiting No. 8 Keshequa 6-0 this afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the Section V Class C2 baseball playoffs.
Johnson registered 16 strikeouts and walked only two on the afternoon. He fanned three batters in the first, second and seventh innings and two each in third, fourth and sixth frames. The two walks came with two out in the first inning but Johnson quickly got out of trouble with a clutch inning ending strikeout.
Lyndonville’s Noah Heinsler delivers what proved to be the game winning RBI single for the Tigers in the first inning.
“He was dominant,” said Tigers Coach Shane Price. “He’s been searching for this all season. He’s had five one hitters and now he’s got one of his goals. I’m really happy for him. It’s nice to see a kid who has put so much into this program reach of one his goals.”
At the plate, the Tigers scored the only run they needed as it turned out in the home half of the first inning on an RBI single by Noah Heinsler.
It stayed a tight 1-0 contest until the fifth inning when the Tigers scored twice on an RBI double by Johnson and a wild pitch.
Lyndonville then put a lock on the victory by tallying three times in the sixth on RBI singles by Kane Flynn and Johnson and a wild pitch. A single by Matt Hess and an error set up the opportunity.
Improving to 16-2, Lyndonville next hosts No. 12 Caledonia-Mumford in the C2 semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Class D1
Arkport-Canaseraga 12, Kendall 0
No. 3 seed Arkport-Canaseraga scored three quick runs in the first inning and then four more in both the second and third frames to key a 12-0 win over No. 6 Kendall in the Class D1 quarterfinals at Houghton.
Kendall was limited to only 4 hits by a trio of Arkport-Canaseraga pitchers.
Lyndonville’s Matt Hess dives into first base as Keshequa’s Nate Bean awaits the throw.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2019 at 6:43 pm
Glen Busch II needed 178 transfusions after emergency surgeries
File photo by Tom Rivers: Glen Busch II and Valerie Childs, who is now his wife, are shown in January 2016 when both were honored for their service to the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. Busch received the President’s Award and Childs was presented with the Chief’s Award.
RIDGEWAY – There will be a second blood drive this Friday in honor of Glen Busch II, a Ridgeway firefighter who survived a serious health scare in 2018.
Busch, 36, has mostly recovered from a splenic artery aneurysm, a stroke, a pulmonary embolism and a collapsed lung.
He estimates he is about 90 percent recovered and continues to rebuild his stamina. On Thursday, he gets a physical and he expects to be cleared to return for fire calls with the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. He won’t be back as an interior firefighter, but Busch said he expects to be given the OK for exterior firefighting.
On Friday, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Ridgeway fire hall there will be a blood drive. The first blood drive in his honor on Nov. 30 resulted in about 70 donors, many were firefighters who hadn’t given blood before or hadn’t attended a blood drive in many years.
Busch said he is more comfortable in the background, but is willing to help promote Friday’s blood drive.
He needed 178 units of blood during his surgeries. He was hospitalized for about seven weeks, beginning on Sept. 14. Then he was in rehab for three weeks before coming home the day before Thanksgiving.
Busch and his wife Valerie then faced a tragedy. Their son, Hudson, was born on Nov. 30 without a pulse.
Busch said the community was been very supportive during his serious illness and then with the loss of his son.
That’s why he wants to return to being an active firefighter, and promote the blood drive.
“I’m thankful for the community, to my fellow firefighters, my coworkers at DSS, my church family and the Crusaders (Motorcycle Club),” he said. “Everyone has stepped up and I want to do my part.”
Busch returned to work in February as a social welfare examiner for the Orleans County Department of Social Services. His wife works at Baxter Healthcare in Medina.
Blood donors can sign up online at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins also are welcome. The firehall is located at 11392 Ridge Rd., Medina.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the formation of the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, or REDI, commission. This multi-agency task force is charged with developing a plan to harden infrastructure along Lake Ontario’s waterfront while strengthening the region’s local economies, which are heavily dependent on summer tourism.
The state has committed more than $100 million to rebuild communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline that were devastated by flooding in 2017, only to once again experience record high water levels and flooding in those same communities. The approach developed by this new task force and any subsequent investments resulting from its recommendation will take into account the new reality facing these communities.
“Intelligence and common sense dictates that this is the new normal, and we should expect continued high water levels for Lake Ontario,” Cuomo said. “So let’s redesign and re-envision a different type of shoreline with different protections and build for these inevitable factors in the future. We are launching the Lake Ontario REDI commission that will tour the affected areas and work with local communities to come up with a new vision for rebuilding the shoreline from both a resiliency and economic development point of view, since many of these communities thrive on the summer tourism industry. We are taking a short and long term approach – not just emergency preparations today, but also rebuilding better and stronger for the future.”
The commission will tour and examine areas that are hard hit by flooding on Lake Ontario, including areas that were impacted by severe flooding in 2017, and develop a package of new actions – ranging from legislative changes to aid packages to executive actions – that will not just rebuild the shoreline, but improve resiliency to withstand whatever Mother Nature has in store in the future. Part of this plan includes ways to harden public facilities and enhance natural features such as living shorelines and sand replenishment on the Lake Ontario waterfront.
The commission will be co-chaired by Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos, and will include other New York State Commissioners. Other members of the multi-agency commission include: Secretary of State Rosanna Rosado, Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito, Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Gerrard Bushell, New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner Ruthanne Visnauskas, New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, and Parks and Historic Preservation Acting Commissioner Erik Kulleseid.
Additionally, the commission will examine areas along the St. Lawrence River that were heavily impacted by the high water levels in 2017 to determine any additional measures that can be taken to harden infrastructure in those communities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2019 at 4:45 pm
ALBION – The steering committee for the waterfront development plan for seven Erie Canal municipalities held its kickoff meeting on Tuesday, and set a goal for identifying projects in the coming months that can boost the local economy and better utilize the canal.
Orleans County received a $62,000 state grant in December to develop a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for the canal communities outside the Village of Medina. That includes the towns of Shelby, Ridgeway, Gaines, Albion and Murray, and the villages of Albion and Holley.
The state recently added a new sign promoting the Empire State Trail, the towpath and trail system of the canal. This photo was taken during the winter near the Main Street lift bridge in Albion. A steering committee said the canal needs mile markers and more signage about services available in the canal towns.
Medina is working on its own LWRP and has been meeting for several months on the plan.
The county has hired LaBella as a consultant for the plan for the seven municipalities. The first meeting on Tuesday followed several years of effort to get the communities together to work on a plan.
Each of the municipalities has a representative who will weigh in on current strengths and weaknesses of the canal, and opportunities to make the historic waterway and towpath a bigger asset.
“This is the right time for us,” said County Legislator Ken DeRoller.
The state is looking to spend more money to promote the canal and make it a better resource for the canal communities. The canal’s new caretaker, the New York Power Authority, also has shown a commitment to improving the canal infrastructure, DeRoller said.
Gov. Cuomo and the State Legislature have made money available for the canal communities in recent years for economic development projects. The Orleans communities have tapped few of those funds, partly because there isn’t a waterfront revitalization plan in place.
The steering committee for the LWRP will be looking for ways to improve trail access, perhaps add a boat or kayak launch, improve signage (mile markers and information about services) and also try to identify economic development projects with businesses near the canal.
The committee will have three public sessions in the coming months with a goal to have the plan complete in about a year.
That document can then be used to help the municipalities pursue grant funding through the state.
The steering committee members include: Ken DeRoller, Orleans County; Jake Olles, Town of Albion; Samuel Robinson, Village of Albion; Tyler Allport, Town of Gaines; Mark Bower, Village of Holley; Chris Van Dusen, Town of Murray; Mary Woodruff, Town of Ridgeway; and Ed Houseknecht, Town of Shelby.
Only half of the group attended the first meeting. DeRoller said this is a great opportunity for the communities to brainstorm ways to capitalize on the canal, which a nationally known brand passing through the county.
The plan also will look at opportunities 500 feet from the canal in the towns, and 1,000 feet from the canal in the villages.
The committee considered some of the strengths of the canal in Orleans County. They noted the county has seven of the 16 lift bridges on the canal, intact historic downtowns, and other historic assets (Cobblestone Museum, Courthouse Square, historic cemeteries).
DeRoller said the recent opening of 39 Problems in Albion and Holley Falls Bar & Grill are important sites for the downtowns, and desired places for tourists.
The county has a strong agricultural sector that siphons from the canal during dry periods when crops need water.
DeRoller also pushed for a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for the Lake Ontario waterfront in Kendall, Carlton and Yates. He said the county is fortunate to have the lake and canal. The LWRPs should help the communities to better utilize the lake and canal.
“I’m really interested in anything having to do with water,” DeRoller said.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced legislation to help ease the financial burden of grandparents and other family caregivers who are raising children because of the opioid crisis.
The Grandfamilies Act is based on the success of legislation that was signed into law last year to help grandparents easily find the resources they need when raising grandchildren such as navigating the school system, planning for their families’ future, addressing mental health issues for themselves and their grandchildren, and building social and support networks. The Grandfamilies Act is also cosponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
“As the opioid epidemic continues to tear apart families all over the country, Congress must do everything it can to help protect the children who have been hurt by this crisis,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud to cosponsor this bill to help support the hardworking grandparents and family caregivers who have taken on the responsibility of raising grandchildren because of the opioid epidemic. This legislation would help families across New York and around the country manage this crisis, and I urge my colleagues to quickly pass it into law.”
Specifically, the Grandfamilies Act would do the following:
• increase access to Social Security child’s benefits and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families cash assistance program.
• incentivize states to create temporary guardianship laws for grandparents who need to step in quickly to help a grandchild.
• provide support for housing specifically provided for grandparents raising grandchildren.
The Grandfamilies Act is supported by Generations United, American Academy of Pediatrics, Children’s Defense Fund, LeadingAge, National Council on Aging, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and Social Security Works.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 May 2019 at 1:36 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion and Medina will meet in the baseball sectional finals for the first time on Thursday in the B1 title contest at Niagara Falls High School at 6 p.m. Here in an earlier season meeting, Medina’s Trevor Luthart gets set to take the throw as Albion’s Alex Gibson dives back to first base.
It will be a first in their long diamond rivalry as Albion and Medina meet for the Section VI Class B1 baseball championship on Thursday.
The Mustangs bring a 18-2 record and the Purple Eagles a 14-5 mark into the title contest which will be played at 6 p.m. at Niagara Falls High School (3890 Pine Ave.).
Medina bested Albion twice during the Niagara-Orleans season by scores of 10-5 and 3-1 in route to capturing the league title.
Medina, which is seeded No. 3, has advanced to the finals with three home field victories over lower seeded teams. The Mustangs shutout No. 14 CSAT 3-0 in the opening round, No. 11 Newfane 6-0 in the quarterfinals and then downed No. 7 Olean 12-1 in the semifinals.
Albion, which is seeded No. 9, has had a bit more of a challenging road to the finals having notched three road victories over higher seeds. The Purple Eagles downed No. 8 East Aurora 4-2 in the opening round, top seeded Springville 6-4 in the quarterfinals and No. 5 Depew 4-0 in the semifinals.
In marks the second year in a row that Medina has reached the finals. The Mustangs dropped a 4-2 decision to N-O rival Roy-Hart in last spring’s Class B2 title contest.
Albion’s last title round appearance was in 2014 when the Purple Eagles defeated Springville 8-3 for the Class A2 title. The Purple Eagles went on to nip Starpoint 2-1 for the overall Class A title and earn a berth in the state playoffs where they dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to Pittsford Sutherland in the Far West Regional.
In Thursday’s Class B2 final Roy-Hart will be looking to defend its title as the top seeded Rams will face No. 2 Gowanda at 4:30 p.m. at Depew High School.
The Rams advanced to the final by blanking N-O foe No. 5 Akron 7-0 in the semis while Gowanda downed No. 3 Allegany-Limestone 5-0.
Last year, after capturing the B2 title, Roy-Hart went on to defeat Olean 12-9 for the overall Section VI Class B title and a berth in the state playoffs. The Rams then downed Midlakes 10-1 in the Far West Regional before dropping a 7-1 decision to Seton Catholic from Binghamton in the state semifinals.
Photo courtesy of O/N BOCES: Carlito Sunday of Albion works at the Tops Bakery in Medina.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Orleans/Niagara BOCES Work-Based Learning Program has nine students graduating this June. Students, from both the Orleans Learning Center and Orleans/Niagara BOCES North Tonawanda High School location, have been working with various employer sites since September.
“Our students were able to work alongside of their internship site co-workers to learn new job duties in different departments,” explains Transition Specialist Debbie Branch. “These opportunities help students to gain employable work skills, learn how to maneuver in a workplace, and build self-confidence. Work Based Learning opportunities can help students build a connection with their internship supervisors and within our community.”
Students in this program work with job coach support to provide mentoring as students learn their job duties and provide on-going assistance during the internship as necessary. Krista Macomber (Transition Supervisor), Debbie Branch (Transition Specialist), and job coaches Heidi Dorpfeld, Sue Nemec, and Kathy Bencic say they are proud of what their students have accomplished this year while working in their internships.
‘The federal government must take the blame for the damage the IJC has caused and assist the State of New York in recovery efforts’ – Rob Ortt
Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt
State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) sent a letter to New York State’s Attorney General, Letitia James, requesting a lawsuit be filed against the federal government on behalf of the property owners along Lake Ontario’s shoreline.
The spring and summer of 2017 saw record-high water levels in Lake Ontario with the implementation of Plan 2014 by the International Joint Commission, which led to widespread flooding and damages to New York State homes, businesses, and infrastructure along the Lake’s southern and eastern shores.
Although New York State appropriated $90 million for recovery efforts for the residents, businesses, and municipalities affected, recovery assistance from federal emergency agencies has been nearly non-existent.
“During the 2018 legislative session, my colleagues and I set aside $90 million to assist the residents and property owners impacted by the flooding of Lake Ontario,” Ortt said. “This was a massive commitment by New York State to help fix a problem caused by the IJC and the implementation of Plan 2014. The federal government must take the blame for the damage the IJC has caused and assist the State of New York in recovery efforts. The IJC is responsible for Plan 2014, so the onus of assisting New York residents impacted by the flooding shouldn’t fall solely on the State of New York, but the federal government as well.”
Since the U.S. Federal Government signed off on the IJC’s Plan 2014 three years ago, Lake Ontario has experienced flooding two of those years. Not only has this affected the homes and businesses of New York State residents, but flooding has also posed a significant risk to local infrastructure and tourism.
“The IJC’s implementation of Plan 2014 continues to wreak havoc on the Lake Ontario’s shorelines,” Ortt said. “Given the Attorney General’s interest in constantly suing the federal government, this seems like an idea she would support. I look forward to Attorney General James taking up this request and going to work for the residents and taxpayers along New York’s shores of Lake Ontario.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2019 at 8:10 am
CARLTON – A Libertarian Party candidate is believed to be making the party’s first-ever run for the Orleans County Legislature.
Chase Tkach
Chase Tkach, 23, of Oak Orchard Road in Carlton is challenging Don Allport for an at-large position on the Legislature. That is a county-wide position for someone who lives in central Orleans. Allport is a Republican and has served on the Legislature for more than a decade.
“I am motivated to become the At-Large Legislator of this county because I see so much beautiful potential for this county that remains untapped,” Tkach said.
She attended the March 27 County Legislature and was disappointed the group opposed a push to legalize recreational marijuana.
She favors legalizing marijuana, without taxing it, and would encourage farmers to grow it if the state legalizes marijuana.
Tkach supports releasing inmates charged with non-violent marijuana possession charges.
“The war on drugs is ineffective, unfair and immoral,” she said.
She said she is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and opposes the state’s SAFE Act and Red Flag law.
She also opposes subsidies for wind and solar energy projects.
“I would like to lower Orleans taxes substantially,” she said. “Taxation is theft.”
Tkach said she would donate half of the legislator’s annual salary of about $12,000 to the Stop ALD Foundation. Her son suffers Adrenoleukodystrophy, a brain disorder that destroys myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds the brain’s neurons.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Chase Tkach, back to camera, meets Larry Sharpe, Libertarian Party candidate for governor, at the Orleans County 4-H Fair last July. Her father, Jeremy McCauley, holds his grandson, Nikolay Tkach. Nikolay’s mother is Chase Tkach, who is running for Orleans County Legislature and was active in Sharpe’s campaign.
ALBION – The New York State Department of Transportation announced that daytime closures will begin this week to facilitate structural repairs on the bridge carrying Presbyterian Road over the Erie Canal in the town of Albion, Orleans County.
Beginning Wednesday, the DOT’s bridge maintenance forces will be performing repairs to the bridge for approximately two weeks. The bridge will be closed to all traffic between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. throughout the duration of the repairs.
Motorists are urged to slow down and safely move over when approaching roadside vehicles displaying red, white, blue, amber or green lights, including maintenance and construction vehicles in work zones.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 May 2019 at 7:28 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brian Fry dives back to second base to try and tag out Olean’s Nick Crandall during the Mustangs sectional semifinal win over the Huskies this afternoon at Vets Park.
Thursday’s Section VI Class B1 baseball championship game will be an all Orleans County affair as Medina and Albion both scored semifinal round victories this afternoon.
No. 3 seed Medina rolled to a 12-1 win over No. 7 Olean at Vets Park and No. 8 Albion blanked host No. 5 Depew 4-0.
The B1 final is scheduled to be played at Gowanda at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Medina 12, Olean 1
Medina jumped out to a quick 3-0 first inning lead on a leadoff home run by Brian Fry, an RBI double by Zach Fike and a fielders choice play off the bat of Joe Cecchini which followed a walk and a single by Chris Goyette.
Back-to-back two run doubles by AJ Seefeldt and Goyette in the second inning quickly boosted the Mustangs advantage to 7-0.
Goyette had a big day at the plate as he also belted a three run home run in the fifth inning.
Trevor Luthart picked up the win on the mound allowing only 1 hit with 4 strikeouts over the first five innings.
The Huskies had a total of only 2 hits on the day.
Albion 4, Depew 0
Thomas Furmanski hurled a 4 hit shutout with 5 strikeouts to lead Albion past Depew.
A three run third inning on an RBI triple by Liam Ward and RBI singles by Isaiah Callicutt and Alex Gibson provided more than enough offense for Albion. Gibson also had an RBI double in the sixth inning.
Class B2 semi Roy-Hart 7, Akron 0
No. 1 seeded Roy-Hart blanked Niagara-Orleans League foe No. 5 Akron 7-0 in a Class B2 semifinal.
The Rams scored three runs in the third inning on an RBI single by Walker Samanka and two passed balls and four in the fifth on a sacrifice by Samanka along with a series of walks and passed balls.
Charlie Bruning pitched the first four innings for the Rams allowing 3 hits and striking out 4. Samanaka pitched the final three frames giving up no hits and striking out 3.
Section VI Class B2 softball
No. 3 Fredonia edged No. 2 Roy-Hart and No. 1 Eden downed No. 4 Akron in the semifinals of the Section VI Class B2 softball playoffs.
Section V games postponed
Top seeded Lyndonville’s home game against No. 8 Keshequa in the Section V Class C2 baseball quarterfinals was postponed until Wednesday. Also postponed was the Class D1 contest between Kendall and Arkport-Canaseraga.
Medina’s Zach Fike bangs out an RBI double in the first inning.
