sports

Green surges into top 4 at Conn. tournament

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 July 2025 at 5:17 pm

File Photo – Melanie Green

Keeping the momentum from Friday’s sparkling 5 under par round, Medina’s Melanie Green has now moved into a tie for fourth place at the Epson Pro Golf Tour’s Hartford Healthcare Women’s Championship in Connecticut.

Green fired a 3 under par round for 69 today for a three day total score of 209 just three shots back of the leader at 206.

On the day, Green had 4 birdies (on 2, 8, 9 and 14) against just one bogey.

She opened the tourney with a 1 over par round of 73 on Thursday but rebounded with a 5 under par round of 67 on Friday with six birdies to make the cut and set the stage for today’s surge into the top four.

The tournament, which is one of only four 72 hole events on the Epson Tour schedule, will conclude on Sunday.

Medina off to 2-1 start at I-90 Shootout

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 July 2025 at 2:52 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina second baseman Vinny Gray gets an out at second base during the Mustangs  I-90 Shootout Tournament game against the Greece Gladiators this morning.

The Medina Mustangs are off to a 2-1 start at the I-90 17U Shootout Tournament being held this weekend at Batavia.

Medina opened with a 20-1 win over Glow Legion on Friday .

A big six run first inning, which included a two-run single by Lukas Grimes and a single by Konner Malcolm, highlighted that uprising.

Medina later closed out the win with 10 runs in the fifth frame.

Grimes, Colton Smith, Carter Woodworth and Cam Noonan each had 2 hits.

On the mound. Grimes allowed only two hits and struck out 7 in 4 innings of work.

Medina then lost 6-3 to the Greece Gladiators this morning.

Smith had a two-run single in the third inning and Grimes a double for Medina which had a total of only 6 hits.

Rebounding, Medina blanked Avon 12-0 as Vinny Gray and Woodworth both had 3 hits.

Jackson Prynn and Jimmy Dieter combed to hurl the shutout allowing no hits and striking out 6.

Medina scored two quick runs in the first inning on a single by Gray and a sacrifice fly by Prynn and twice in the second keyed by singles by Dieter and Smith.

Medina then broke the game open with five runs in the third inning ignited by a triple by Gray and highlighted by a two-run single by Grimes.

The Mustangs capped off the win with four runs in the fourth as Woodworth and Noonan both had two-run singles.

The tournament will conclude on Sunday.

Albion rallies to edge Avon in 18U contest

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 July 2025 at 2:38 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kaiden Froman, left, picked up the win on the mound in Albion’s come-from-behind win over Avon today. At right Albion catcher Nate Gibson tries to make the tag at home.

Trailing 4-0, Albion rallied to edge Avon 6-4 in a GLOW League 18U Division baseball game this morning.

Albion rallied to score twice in the second inning on a two-run single by Jack Conn, once in the third on a sacrifice fly by Elliott Trapiss and three times in the fourth on two walks, a two-run single by Omer Fugate, single by Conn and an error.

Conn and Nate Gibson both had a pair of hits.

On the mound, Froman, who earned the win, and Drew Pritchard combined to hurl a 2 hitter with 4 strikeouts.

Elmire Elite 9, Albion 7
The Elite scored twice in the seventh inning to nip Albion 9-1 this afternoon in an exhibition game.

Albion had rallied to tie the game at 7-7 by scoring five times in the fourth inning on a double by Aaron Woodrow and singles by Drew Boyce, Trapiss, Gibson and Froman.

Boyce, Trapiss and Froman each finished with a pair of hits.

Albion is now 7-2-1.

Albion to hold baseball and volleyball camps

Contributed Story Posted 12 July 2025 at 9:04 am

The Village of Albion Recreation Department will be holding free baseball and volleyball camps over the next two weeks.

The baseball camp will run from Monday July 14 to Friday July 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the varsity baseball field.

The camp. which is open to students entering grades 3 – 10, will include instruction on hitting, fielding, bunting, throwing, infield, outfield and baserunning.

The volleyball camp will run from Monday July 21 to Friday July 25 from 9 a,m, to noon at the high school.

The camp, which is for students in grades 6-12, will include skill drills, match situations and scrimmages.

No experience is necessary to participate in either camp and there is no pre registration.

Strong 2nd round for Green at Conn. tourney

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 July 2025 at 7:03 pm

Putting together a sparkling second round today, Medina’s Melanie Green is now 4 shots under par at the halfway point of the Epson Pro Golf Tour’s Hartford Healthcare Women’s Championship in Connecticut.

Rebounding from a 1 over par round of 73 on Thursday, Green fired a 5 under par round of 67 today for a two day total of 140.

She had six birdies (on 3, 4, 5, 8, 11 and 14) which more than offset just one bogey.

Green is currently tied for 13th seven shots back of the leader’s 133 total.

The 72 hole tourney continues Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.

Medina FC advances in Wood Cup Tourney

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 July 2025 at 9:09 am

The Medina Mustangs FC downed the Hamburg Monarchs 3-2 Thursday evening in the quarterfinals of the Buffalo District Soccer League’s Wood Cup Tournament.

Nate Dillenbeck scored two goals and Trent Choate netted the game winner for Medina.

Cole Callard had two assists and Aiden Prince one for the Mustangs.

Medina next hosts Ukraine in a BDSL 1st Division game at 6 p.m. Sunday at Vets Park.

Medina is currently in first place with a 7-0-1 record while Ukraine is tied for fourth at 3-2-3. A win would clinch the 1st Division regular season title for the Mustangs.

Albion escapes with narrow 18U diamond win

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 July 2025 at 8:40 am

Surviving a big last inning comeback bid, Albion held on to nip host Alden 8-7 in a GLOW League 18U Division baseball game Thursday evening.

Trailing 8-2, Alden rallied for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on an error, two doubles and four singles but the rally fell just short.

Albion took the lead for good by scoring four quick runs in the first inning on an RBI single by Elliott Trapiss, an RBI sacrifice fly by Kaiden Froman, an error and a passed ball. A triple by Drew Boyce set up the opportunity.

A two-run single by Gavin Boyce later highlighted a three run third inning.

Albion plated what proved to be the game winning run in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Viktor Snyder.

Improving to 6-1-1, Albion will next host Avon in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Tri Town 9, Lyndonville 0
In another GLOW 18U contest, Tri Town held Lyndonville hitless in posting a 9-0 win.

Tri Town scored three quick runs in the first inning and four more in the fourth.

It will be an all Elba Midget 12U playoff final

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 July 2025 at 7:25 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Luke Gaylord slides into second base for Elba ‘B’ as Sandstone second baseman Bryce Saxton awaits the throw. The action took place during Wednesday’s semifinal game at Sandstone.

It will be an all Elba matchup Saturday for the Albion Midget League 12U Division playoff championship game.

In Wednesday evening’s semifinals, No. 4 seed Elba ‘B’ upended top seeded Sandstone 10-3 and No. 2 Elba ‘A’ nipped No. 3 Barre 1-0.

Jaxon Hall had 3 hits and Luke Gaylord and Carmine Augello 2 each to lead the Elba ‘B’ offense. Gaylord’s hits included a double.

On the mound, Brody York and Gaylord combined for 16 strikeouts.

For Sandstone, Blake Brown had a hit to drive in two runs in the fifth inning.

Big rally earns Roy-Hart girls U19 team a tie

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 July 2025 at 10:39 am

Putting together a big second half comeback, Roy-Hart rallied to earn a 3-3 tie with host Amherst in a Buffalo Youth Soccer League girls U19 Division game Tuesday evening.

Trailing 3-0 at the half, Roy-Hart came battling back as two goals by Maria Trombley ignited the rally. Ruth Walker followed up by scoring the tying goal.

Now at 1-3-2 on the season, Roy-Hart next hosts the Southern Tier FC next Tuesday.

Albion rally falls short in 18U diamond game

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 July 2025 at 10:26 am

A late inning rally fell just short as Albion dropped a narrow 5-4 decision to visiting Pavilion in a GLOW League 18U Division baseball game Tuesday evening.

Trailing 5-1, Albion cut the deficit to just one by rallying for three runs in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Gavin Boyce and RBI singles by Kaiden Froman and Drew Pritchard. However, Albion could not plate the equalizer as the bases were left loaded.

Pritchard, Elliott Trapiss and Drew Boyce each had a pair of hits on the evening as Albion out hit Pavilion 9-2.

Pritchard, Drew Boyce and Jayden Plummer combined to hurl the 2 hitter for Albion with a total of 14 strikeouts.

Albion, which next visits Alden on Thursday, is now 3-1-1.

Alden 7, Lyndonville 2
Lyndonville scored two quick runs in the first inning on a fielders choice play and a walk but could not cross home plate again as host Alden claimed a 7-2 win in another GLOW League contest.

A two-run single by Sam Dunlap evened the score in the second inning and Alden quickly moved on top to stay by scoring once in the third on a wild pitch and twice in the fourth on an error and a groundout.

CJ Dix had Lyndonville’s only hit as Alden hurlers registered 11 strikeouts.

Lyndonville, which next visits Tri-Town on Thursday, is now 0-4-1.

White Birch and Banes roll to ‘A’ League wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 July 2025 at 10:30 am

White Birch downed Parkitects 18-7 and Banes topped Dubby’s 16-1 in Medina Women’s Softball League ‘A’ Division action Monday evening.

White Birch 18, Parkitects 7
Pounding out 21 hits, White Birch improved to 7-1 with an 18-7 win over Parkitects.

Aubrey Lewis had a home run and a single, Ella Lewis a double and two singles, Bekah Hoffee a double and single and Maddy Boyle and Anna Lewis both had a double to lead the White Birch attack. Dana Cotriss also had 3 singles, Gracie Johnson, Stacy Buckland and Brynn Howell 2 singles and Kenzie Muck, Mallory Albone and Lily Kompe 1 single.

Tabby McBride and Brianna Smith both had a double and Kelsey Mest 2 singles for Parkitects.

Banes 16, Dubby’s 1
Connie Heschke, Lindsay Chatt and Kathy Allen each had 3 hits including a double, Morgan Allis 3 including a double and a home run, Robin Blaun a double and triple and Teri Scharlau 2 doubles to lead the way for Banes.

Banes took the lead for good by scoring 5 quick runs in the first inning as Allen and Krissy Scharlau had doubles and Lindsay Chatt and Allen singles.

Banes quickly upped the the lead to 11-1 with 6 more run in the second inning highlighted by a home run by Allis, a triple by Blaun and a double by Teri Scharlau.

Banes capped off the scoring with 5 more in the third as Teri Scharlau, Blaun and Heschke all had doubles.

The win improves Banes record to 4-3.

Holley U15 improves to 5-0-1 with win

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 July 2025 at 10:26 am

Contributed Photo – Ellie Ebbs (13) leads a Holley rush up field during Monday evening’s win over visiting Victor. Following the play are Carsyn Mogle (3) and Veronica Flow (6)..

Reaching the halfway point of the season with a near perfect 5-0-1 record, Holley downed visiting Victor 3-2 in a Rochester District Youth Soccer League girls U15 Division game Monday evening.

Audrianna Lana, Ellie Ebbs and Philomena Arnold each scored a goal for Holley.

Lana, Brianna Tomasino and Veronica Flow each had an assist.

Top seeds win Midget 12U playoff openers

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 July 2025 at 10:06 am

The top four seeds all scored wins in the quarterfinal round of the Albion Midget League 12U Division baseball playoffs Monday evening.

Top seeded Sandstone downed No. 8 Holley ‘B’ 14-1, No. 2 Elba ‘A’ shutout No. 7 Holley ‘A’ 20-0, No. 3 Barre blanked No. 6 Elks/Rotary 10-0 and No. 4 Elba ‘B’ bested No. 5 Carlton 18-2.

The semifinals on Wednesday at 6 p.m. will have Elba ‘B’ at Sandstone and Barre at Elba ‘A’.

The championship game will be Saturday.

Nikko Russo had 4 hits, Giovanni LaMartina a two-run triple and Aiden Kelly 2 hits for Sandsteone.

Ethan Olles and Luke Snyder shared in pitching the shutout for Barre. Snyder also had a home run.

Brody Yark hurled a 2 hitter with 11 strikeouts for Elba ‘B’. At the plate, John Anderson and Luke Gaylord both had 2 hits and Logan Bezon a triple.

Holley is returning to 11 man football

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 July 2025 at 10:04 am

The landscape of area high school football has certainly changed especially when it comes to 8 Man football.

Four or five years ago 8 Man football seemed to be the answer and the future for schools struggling with low numbers of players.

However, that situation has changed rapidly as now all the 8 Man schools are either going back to play 11 Man football or are merging with another school leaving no 8 Man teams in either Section V or Section VI for this coming season.

One of those schools is Holley which after playing seven years of 8 Man is now returning to 11 Man football for this fall playing an independent schedule.

“I’m excited and the boys are excited. I think we’ll be competitive,” said new Hawks Coach Wyatt Wink. “It is going to be interesting for sure.”

Wink is looking for the Hawks to have a squad numbering 22 to 25 players. Again this year the Hawks varsity squad will also have players from Lyndonville.

“Going back to 11 Man means a bigger field, a lot more space, a couple of more linemen and another skill position player so more depth is needed,” added Wink.

The Hawks independent schedule includes games against some familiar foes including Notre Dame, Attica, CG Finney and Canisteo-Greenwood along with a couple of new foes in Cardinal O’Hara from Tonawanda and St. Mary’s of Lancaster.

The tentative schedule has Holley opening the season at O’Hara on September 6. The Hawks are also scheduled to host O’Hara on September 27.

Practice will begin on August 18 with a scrimmage against Red Jacket slated for August 30.

Lyndonville adds Modified Football

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 July 2025 at 10:22 am

It has been 50 years since Lyndonville High fielded a football team.

In fact, Lyndonville’s last football team was the 1975 varsity squad.

However, that will change this fall as the Board of Education recently approved the addition of Modified ‘A’ Football (for players in grades 7-9) to the Tigers lineup of interscholastic sports teams.

Modified Football will join soccer as the school’s two fall sports for the Tigers boys student-athletes.

“Our goal is to build up our participation numbers and to make sure that both sports succeed,” said Athletic Director Jim Zeliff who notes that a football squad of 22 to 24 players is projected.

“Although this year’s graduating class numbered only 30 our seventh grade class numbers 56 so we are trending in the right direction,” added Zeliff. “The community’s youth football program numbers have been good and our varsity soccer team had a very solid season last fall so we think it is a good time to bring on another sport. We feel both sports can exist simultaneously. Our goal is to make sure that both succeed.”

No schedule has been set for the Modified team but practice for the fall season is scheduled to begin on August 18.