Roy-Hart becomes the fifth N-O League team to compete in state baseball playoffs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 June 2018 at 9:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart pitcher Charlie Bruning is shown here in action on the mound during the regional win over Midlakes as the Rams became the fifth Niagara-Orleans League team to compete in the state baseball playoffs.

When Roy-Hart took to Frontier Field in Rochester this past Saturday to face Midlakes in the Class B Far West Regional the Rams became the fifth Niagara-Orleans League school to compete in the state baseball playoffs.

Roy-Hart was victorious over Midlakes by a score of 10-1 to advance to this Friday’s Class B state semifinal against Seton Catholic of Binghamton at Maine-Endwell High School near Binghamton.

In previous years for the N-O League, Wilson and Albion have both competed in the state playoffs four times while Medina and Newfane have each made one appearance.

Wilson has the distinction of being the only N-O school to capture a state diamond championship as the Lakemen defeated Rome Catholic 5-2 in the 1983 title contest after nipping Mattituck 4-3 in the semifinals.

The Lakemen also appeared in the inaugural state final in 1982 losing to Little Falls 12-5. The Lakemen downed Draper 13-8 in the semifinals.

Wilson also made the state semis in 1996 bowing 5-4 to Catskill. The Lakemen advanced by nipping Seton Catholic 4-3 in the regionals.

The Lakemen’s other appearance was a 1985 regional loss to Tioga by a 5-1 margin.

Newfane is the only other N-O school to make it to the state finals losing 10-4 to Windsor in 2004. The Panthers advanced by defeating Hornell 3-2 in the regionals and Skaneateles 7-1 in the state semis.

Albion made it to the state semifinals in 1999 losing to Johnson City 9-1. The Purple Eagles advanced by downing Wayland-Cohocton 10-5 in the regional.

The Purple Eagles other three state appearances were regional losses to Victor in 2004 (9-0) and to Pittsford Sutherland in both 2010 (6-2) and 2014 (3-2).

Medina advanced to the state semis in 2003 losing to Carle Place 9-1. The Mustangs had bested Sodus 4-0 in the regional.