Roy-Hart tops Salamanca in B2 semifinal

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart third baseman Thomas Russo gets set to put the tag on Salamanca’s Jorden Ambuske during the Rams sectional semifinal win over the visiting Warriors this afternoon.

A quick 4 runs first inning scoring burst sparked No. 6 seed Roy-Hart to a 6-2 victory over No. 7 Salamanca in the semifinal round of the Section VI Class B2 baseball playoffs this afternoon at Gasport.

Trailing 1-0, Roy-Hart combined RBI singles by Ethan Kuzma and Rem Albee along with a two-run single by  Zach Walker to move on top to stay in the home half of the first at 4-1.

Singles by Sean Mettler and Thomas Russo helped to set up a second inning tally. Russo then tripled and stole home for the Rams final run in the fourth frame.

Brayden Hy picked up the win on the mound scattering 4 hits and striking out 12 in five and one-third innings of work. Jake Gould came on to hurl the final inning and two-thirds allowing no hits and striking out 2.

Defensively Russo also turned a double play in the seventh inning.

Improving to 18-4, Roy-Hart will now face No. 4 Fredonia in the B2 title game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Grand Island. Fredonia defeated No. 8 Southwestern 12-4 in the other semifinal.

It will be Roy-Hart’s fourth straight appearance in the sectional finals. The Rams defeated Gowanda 5-1 in the 2019 title game but lost to rival Medina in both the 2021 and 2022 title contests. There were no sectionals in 2020 because of the Covid 19 shutdown.

In the Class D semifinals, No. 5 Ellicottville downed No. 8 Barker 6-3.

Brayden Hy delivers a pitch for the Rams.