sports

Kendall romps and Albion bows in diamond sectional openers

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 May 2024 at 6:01 pm

Scoring early and often, No. 4 seed Kendall romped to a 17-0 victory over No. 13 Alfred-Almond this afternoon in the opening round of the Section V Class C2 baseball playoffs.

Kendall took charge early erupting for 6 runs in the second inning highlighted by a three-run single by Vinnie D’Agostino.

A two-run single by CJ D’Agostino later highlighted a three-run fifth inning.

The Eagles closed out the win with a huge 7 run sixth inning which included a pair of RBI singles by Louis Conte along with one each by Jimmie Swift, Gio Rodriguez, Vinnie D’Agostino and Colby Hughes.

Louie Conte and Swift both finished with 3 his as Vinnie D’Agostino and Nate Shaw each had 2.

Swift picked up the win on the mound allowing just 1 hit with 10 strikeouts in five innings of work.

Kendall will next face the winner of Sunday’s No. 5 Alexander vs. No. 12 Byron-Bergen game in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Section VI Class A2

Dunkirk 10, Albion 0
Scoring in every inning, No. 7 seed Dunkirk posted a 10-0 win over No. 10 Albion in the opening round of the Section VI Class A2 playoffs this afternoon at Gowanda.

After scoring solo runs in each of the first two innings Dunkirk pulled away with four tallies in the third frame.

Nate Gibson had a pair of hits, including a double, for Albion which had just 5 hits on the day.

It’s opening day for the Albion Midget League

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 May 2024 at 4:50 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The Albion Midget League opened its season this afternoon with an expanded lineup of nine teams. Here Holley’s Brian Ruggles, left, and Sandstone’s Brycen Potter were on the mound to open the contest at Sandstone. The other openers had Carlton vs. Rotary, Barre at Elba ‘B’ and Hamlin ‘A’ vs. Hamlin ‘B’ as Elba ‘A’ had the bye.

Albion wins Class A softball sectional opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 May 2024 at 4:41 pm

No. 8 seed Albion downed visiting No. 9 West Seneca East 13-11 today in the opening round of the Section VI Class A softball playoffs.

A big nine run third inning highlighted the Purple Eagles victory as Madison Hughson had a two-run homer, Kenzi Snook a two-run double, Lux Froman an RBI double and Alana Irvine and Aubriella Barry RBI singles.

Albion will next visit top seeded Williamsville South at noon on Sunday in the quarterfinals. South downed Kenmore East 13-1.

Class B1
No. 6 seed Akron downed No. 3 Olmsted 20-2 as Shannon Esmond had three hits including a double and triple with a total of 5 RBI. Sloan Jonathan added a home run, Olivia Nowak a triple and Ashlee Henning 2 doubles.

Class B2
In Class B2, No 2 Portville blanked No. 7 Roy-Hart 7-0 and No. 3 Wilson downed No. 6 JFK 11-4.

Class C
No. 9 Maple Grove downed No. 8 Frewsburg 13-6 to earn a trip to top seeded Barker at noon on Sunday in the Class C quarterfinals.

Rams oust Gators in Class B sectional opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 May 2024 at 3:42 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Ethan Kuzma slides safely back to first base just ahead of a tag attempt by Allegany-Limestone’s Collin Forrest during the Rams sectional win over the visiting Gators today.

Scoring three quick runs in the first inning, No. 4 seed Roy-Hart went on to down visiting No. 13 Allegany-Limestone 11-1 in a Section VI Class B opening round baseball playoff game today.

Gavin Heideman had a two-run double and Jake Gould an RBI double in the first inning to put Roy-Hart on top to stay.

The Rams later put a lock on the five inning run rule victory by erupting for 7 runs in the fifth frame as Gould had a two-run double and Heideman an RBI single.

Gould, Heideman and Rem Albee each finished with a pair of hits for Roy-Hart.

Ethan Kuzma earned the win on the mound allowing 2 hits and striking out 8 over 4 innings.

The contest was a rematch of last year’s sectional opener when the Rams nipped the visiting Gators 6-5.

Roy-Hart will next host No. 5 Southwestern in the quarterfinals on Monday. Southwestern ousted No. 12 Eden 11-3.

Akron 2, Salamanca 0
No. 8 Akron ousted visiting No. 9 Salamanca 2-0 as Denny Romesser pitched a 2 hitter with 12 strikeouts.

The Tigers scored once in the first on a sacrifice by Anthony Cosiglio and once in the fourth on a single by Hunter Haist.

Akron will next visit top seeded Medina in the quarterfinals on Monday.

Newfane 10, JFK 0
No. 7 Newfane shutout No. 10 JFK as Cam Perry hurled a one hitter with 7 strikeouts and Jon Beiter banged out a double and triple and drove in five runs.

Lady Tigers, Eagles, Hawks bow in sectionals

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 May 2024 at 3:16 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville first baseman Bella Groves goes up to haul in the ball for an out during the Lady Tigers sectional loss to visiting Arkport-Canaseraga today.

No. 12 seed Arkport-Canaseraga pushed across three runs in the seventh inning on three errors to down No 5 Lyndonville 7-4 in a Section V Class D opening round softball playoff game today at Lyndonville.

Addie Dillenbeck had a two-run home run and Kayli Miller a two-run single for Lyndonville which led 4-3 after four innings.

Cuba-Rushford 11, Kendall 9
No. 9 Cuba-Rushford trimmed 11-9 No. 8 Kendall in a Class C 2 sectional contest.

Brooke Rodas had a two-run double and Danielle Offhaus a two-run single to highlight a six run fourth inning which put Kendall up 9-7.

Cuba-Rushford rallied to tie the game with two runs in the sixth and then to claim the win with two more in the seventh.

Avon 9, Holley 0
No. 2 Avon blanked No. 15 Holley 9-0 in a Class C1 sectional opener.

Diamond sectionals off to a soggy start

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 May 2024 at 7:53 pm

Area sectional baseball and softball action got off to a soggy start today as the rainy weather caused 6 of the 9 scheduled games to be postponed until Saturday.

Here is an update of the rescheduled games and the three completed contests.

Section VI Baseball
Class A
No. 10 seed Albion will now visit No. 7 Dunkirk at 2 p.m. Saturday with the winner advancing to a Tuesday quarterfinal test at No. 2 Iroquois.

Class B
No. 4 Roy-Hart will now face No. 13 Allegany-Limestone at noon Saturday at Medina’s Vets Park. The victor will face the winner of the No. 5 Southwestern vs. No. 12 Eden game in the quarterfinals on Monday.

No. 8 Akron will host No. 9 Salamanca at 1 p.m. with the victor advancing to a quarterfinal contest at top seeded Medina on Monday.

No. 7 Newfane will host No. 10 JFK at 11 a.m.

Class C
In the lone baseball game to be completed No. 5 Wilson blanked Niagara-Orleans League foe No. 12 Barker 5-0 in a Class C contest. Tyler Johnston and Conner Ernest combined on a 2 hitter with 13 strikeouts for the Lakemen which will next visit No. 4 Holland on Tuesday.

Section VI Softball
Class A – No. 8 Albion will host No. 9 West Seneca East at noon on Saturday. The contest was started today but was halted by rain in the first inning.

Class B
In two completed games No. 7 Springville defeated No. 10 Newfane 16-4 and No. 8 Southwestern downed No. 9 Medina 21-4 in a contest played at Allegany-Limestone.

Section V Softball
Class C1
No. 15 Holley will visit No. 2 Avon at 10 a.m. Saturday.

In addition seven other area sectional games were already scheduled for Saturday. Those contests are as follows.

Section V Baseball
Class C2 – No. 4 Kendall will host No. 13 Caledonia-Mumford, 4 p.m.

Section V Softball
Class C2 – No. 8 Kendall will host No. 9 Cuba-Rushford at 11 a.m.

Class D – No. 5 Lyndonville will host No. 12 Arkport-Canaseraga at 11 a.m.

Section VI Softball
Class B1 – No. 6 Akron at No. 3 Olmsted, noon,
Class B2 – No. 7 Roy-Hart at No. 2 Portville and No. 6 JFK at No. 3 Wilson both at noon.
Class C – Top seeded Barker was scheduled to host the winner of today’s No. 8 Frewsburg vs. No. 9 Maple Grove contest. That game was not played so the new date for Barker’s opener has not been set.

Four inducted into Lyndonville Hall of Fame

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 May 2024 at 5:51 pm

Contributed Photo – Four new members were inducted into the Lyndonville High Athletic Hall of Fame last weekend. The new inductees, shown here holding their induction plaques,  include, from left, Connie Wehner (Class of 1980), Gary Wilson (Class of 1964), Coach Mark Hughes and Terry Stephens (Class of 1996).

Medina Unified posts win over Newfane

Contributed Story Posted 17 May 2024 at 11:18 am

Contributed Photo – Aiden Cherry makes a layup for Medina during Thursday’s win over visiting Newfane as Treyvon Shine and Xavier Moyer follow.

The Medina Unified basketball team improved to 3-2 with a 54-25 home court win over Newfane Thursday.

Xavier Moyer scored a game high 24 points to lead Medina as Aiden Cherry added 10, Matthew Kennedy 8, Russell Brunette 6, Anthony Harrington 4 and Lexi Lowery 2.

Albion Midget League opens season Saturday

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 May 2024 at 9:10 am

An expanded Albion Midget League will open its baseball season on Saturday.

The league has expanded from five to nine teams this year.

Returning league members Sandstone, Barre, Carlton, Rotary and Elba are being joined by a second team from Elba, two from Hamlin and one from Holley.

Season opening ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Midget League Field followed by a 2 p.m. contest between Carlton and Rotary.

The other openers at 2:15 p.m. will have Holley at Sandstone, Barre at Elba ‘B’ and Hamlin ‘A’ vs. Hamlin ‘B’ as the Elba ‘A’ team draws the bye.

Each team will play a total of 12 regular season games this season. The playoff championship game is scheduled for July 13.

Albion JV softball has unbeaten N-O season

Contributed Story Posted 17 May 2024 at 8:59 am

Contributed Photo – The Albion Junior Varsity Softball Team just finished an undefeated season in Niagara-Orleans league games. The Purple Eagles completed a 9-0-1 season with a win over Newfane. “My hope for next year is that the girls continue to work hard and have fun on the field,” Coach Niccole Nicholson said. “ I hope they continue to lift each other up to be the best that they can be.” Members of the Purple Eagle team include Amma Gillette, Lux Froman, Ava Woolston, Brynn Dugan, Kaitlin Bennett, Anna Grillo, Melia Prince, McKinley Knight, Aaliyah Jones, Bailey Potter, Brooke Doty, and Brilee Seewagon.

Albion trims Roy-Hart to cap off 12-0 N-O League tennis championship season

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 May 2024 at 6:34 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Oliver Beach and Jason Anstey teamed up to score a key win at second doubles for Albion in the Purple Eagles narrow win at Roy-Hart this afternoon.

Albion capped off a perfect 12-0 Niagara-Orleans League tennis championship season with a narrow  3-2 win at Roy-Hart this afternoon.

The Purple Eagles captured both singles matches on wins by Leo Bolton and Mark Ames.

A victory by the second doubles team of Jason Anstey and Oliver Beach provided the all important third point for the Purple Eagles.

Roy-Hart got wins from the doubles teams of Allie Trombley – Ella Martillotta and Abby Glyshaw – Emily Livergood.

The N-O title is the first for the Purple Eagles since 2015.

Final N-O Standings: Albion 12-0, Akron 10-2, Wilson 8-4, Barker 6-6, Roy-Hart 4-8, Medina 2-10, Newfane 0-12

Section V Baseball Playoffs
No. 16 seed Red Creek edged No. 17 Holley 13-12 in the opening round of the Section V Class C1 baseball playoffs this afternoon.

Red Creek will now face top seeded Gananda on Saturday.

Lady Tigers and Lady Eagles get home openers for Section V softball playoffs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 May 2024 at 1:21 pm

Lyndonville will open Section V Class D softball playoff competition at home on Saturday as the Lady Tigers host No. 12 Arkport-Canaseraga at 11 a.m.

The victor will face the winner of the No. 4 Genesee Valley-Belfast vs. No. 13 Alfred-Almond in the quarterfinals.

Kendall will also open sectional play at home as the No. 8 Lady Eagles will host No. 9 Cuba-Rushford in a Class C2 contest at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The winner will visit top seeded Dundee-Bradford in the quarterfinals on Monday.

In Class C1, No. 15 Holley will open at No. 2 Avon at 5 p.m. Friday.

Kendall will open diamond sectionals at home

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 May 2024 at 12:58 pm

Seeded No. 4, Kendall will host No. 13 Caledonia-Mumford in the opening round of the Section V Class C2 baseball playoffs at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Kendall brings a 12-5 record into the sectionals while Cal-Mum is 4-13.

The victor will face the winner of the No. 5 Alexander vs. No. 12 Alfred-Almond game in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The Class C1 sectionals gets underway today as No. 17 Holley visits No. 16 Red Creek in a play-in game at 4:30 p.m.

The winner will visit top seeded Gananda on Saturday.

Medina will open lacrosse sectionals Monday

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 May 2024 at 10:39 am

Medina will open Section VI Class D lacrossse playoff competition on the road on Monday.

Seeded No. 6, Medina will visit No. 3 East Aurora in the quarterfinal round of the Class D sectionals at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The Blue Devils downed the Mustangs 13-4 during the regular season.

The Class D opening round playoff games will have No. 7 Depew hosting No. 10 Newfane this evening and No. 8 Wilson hosting No. 9 Tonawanda on Friday.

The Wilson/Tonawanda winner will visit top seeded Akron and the Depew/Newfane victor will visit No. 2 seed Gowanda in the quarterfinals on Monday.

Monday’s other quarterfinal will have No. 5 Salamanca at No. 4 Eden.

Barker is No. 1 seed for Class C softball sectionals; Albion to host Class A opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 May 2024 at 9:39 am

Undefeated (12-0) Niagara-Orleans League champion Barker has earned the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Section VI Class C softball playoffs.

Barker will host a Class C quarterfinal game at noon on Saturday against the winner of Friday’s opening round contest between No. 8 Frewsburg and No. 9 Maple Grove.

Albion is seeded No. 8 in Class A and will host an opening round game at 5 p.m. Friday against No. 9 West Seneca East.

In Class B1 opening round games No. 9 Medina will travel to No. 8 Southwestern and No. 10 Newfane will visit No. 7 Springville at 5 p.m. Friday. No. 6 Akron will visit No. 3 Olmsted in a quarterfinal game at noon on Saturday.

In Class B2 quarterfinal contests, No. 7 Roy-Hart will visit No. 3 Portville and No. 3 Wilson will host No. 6 JFK at noon on Saturday.