Purple Eagles down Flyers
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Steven Stauss takes a throw at first base as Maryvale’s Brandon Gleason dives back to the bag. The action took place during the host Purple Eagles sectional win over the visiting Flyers this afternoon.
Jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, No. 2 seed Albion went on to defeat visiting No. 7 Maryvale 5-2 this afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class A2 playoffs.
Connor Barleben, who had a no hitter going into the fifth inning, went the distance on the mound for Albion giving up five hits and striking out 12.
Albion scored a quick run in the first inning on a single by Dominic DiCureia and an error.
The Purple Eagles made it 3-0 in the third inning back-to-back one out RBI singles by John Warne and Steven Stauss. A walk and a single by DiCureia set up the threat.
Maryvale though made things interesting by scoring twice with two out in the top of the fourth on a burst of four straight singles to slice the deficit to 3-2.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion catcher John Warne gets a fist pump from Coach Bruce Blanchard after belting a run producing triple.
Albion though got those two right back in the home half of the fifth on a run producing triple by Warne and an RBI double by Barleben. A one out single by Aaron Burnside ignited the rally.
The Flyers mounted one more big threat in the top of the sixth getting the first two runners aboard via a leadoff triple and a walk.
The Purple Eagles though got out of the jam as Barleben registered clutch strikeouts for the first and third outs and Warne threw out a runner at second base for the second out from his catcher’s position.
Barleben then polished off the win by retiring the Flyers in order in the top of the seventh on a strikeout and two fly outs.
Albion will next host the winner of the No. 6 Cheektowaga vs. No. 3 East Aurora contest in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion shorstop JJ Downs waits for a throw at second as Brandon Bojanowski attempts a steal.
Class B1
Medina vs. Burgard
No. 6 seed Medina built up an 8-1 lead over host No. 3 Burgard in a Class B quarterfinal when stormy weather forced the suspension of the game in the fourth inning.
Matt Riemer and Sam Crowley both had two hits, including a triple, to lead the Mustangs in the early going.
The game is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday.
Class B2
Southwestern 4, Roy-Hart 0
An error aided three run third inning scoring burst keyed No. 5 Southwestern to a 4-0 win over host No. 4 Roy-Hart in the B2 quarterfinals.
Austin Heschke had two hits for Roy-Hart.
Andy Jacobs went the distance on the mound for the Rams allowing five hits and striking out 10.