Friday Roundup: Wagner, Krzeminski aid 6th inning power surge for Eagles, record big 5-3 victory in Finals rematch with Avo/Pra; B-R softball captures home tourney crown over Olean

HOUGHTON — The site was Houghton University. The occasion? — A long-awaited rematch of last season’s Class D Finals. The consensus? — Another incredible battle to the finish.

Class D1’s top two teams in Avoca/Prattsburgh and Fillmore came together for their first and only bout of the regular season on Friday. Although the week-long stretch of abysmal weather had finally subsided in favor of a sunny, blue sky and cool temperatures, it was a showcase where both teams had to weather a perfect storm all throughout.

For the Eagles, they were coming off one of their biggest wins of the season back home at the Town Park in walk-off fashion over Arkport/Canaseraga last weekend. That was also the last time they took the field before the rain made its week-long presence known up until now.

Similar to last year’s clash for the Class D title, runs were difficult to come by, especially in a heated pitcher’s duel between both Jamel Crowder and Brent Zubikowski. With the Titans able to connect on an early lead, it was up to the Eagles to work their way from behind.

Fortunately enough, they had their ace in the hole — Aiden Wagner.

After Fillmore trimmed down their deficit to a single run off special teams in the fourth, the momentum carried over two innings later at perhaps the most crucial of times, as the senior laid down a perfectly-placed bunt with two runners on. With it, an attempt to catch the out at first was made, ultimately resulting in the throw going wide, allowing both runners to score to account for what would wind up standing as Wagner’s second straight game-winning sequence for the Eagles in what was a 5-3 edging.

“Two great hits against solid opponents like Arkport/Canaseraga, and now here against Avoca/Prattsburgh. It’s good for him, and it’s good for the team,” Eagles coach Bill Nolan said. “He hits the ball really well, and I’m thinking with two runners on and no out, he’s going to try and hit the ball. He puts down that bunt, and that changed the game completely. They’re going to feel a bit better and they know they’re a great team. It can go any way in the tournament, but tonight gives them the belief that they are capable of great things. It’s a great bonus and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Before the late stage fireworks came into full fruition for the Eagles (10-1), they would have to overcome an early 2-0 deficit to the hands of Avoca/Prattsburgh, who used the top of the second to their fullest of advantages behind the guidance of Dan Stilson, who rocked a two-run triple past James Hillman in right field and straight to the fence.

The Titans (11-3) looked to add more with a pair of runners on base in the third threatening. But the special teams play would come into enormous use with a pair of throwdowns, including one off a strikeout down to first base from Nolan Krzeminski to finish the inning-ending double play. Avoca/Prattsburgh in turn would hold Fillmore scoreless to halt the momentum boost despite the bases being loaded, garnering an out on a steal home and a strikeout from Crowder to Mitch Ward to close out the stand.

But it would not be long after until the Eagles found their way onto the board, as Zubikowski led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. He proceeded to use his legs to work his way around the bases after evading infield traffic in the midst of a rundown between first and second, scoring on a passed ball behind third base and into left field to cut the deficit in half.

In the sixth inning, the Eagles would perhaps put together a frame of shape-shifting proportions, as they used a strong 1-2-3 from Zubikowski on the mound to fuel what would be their final appearance at the plate, as Ward and Zubikowski both reached with nobody out. In the No. 5 spot in the lineup, Wagner would once again come through with a game-changing moment at the plate, laying a perfect bunt down the third baseline while using his speed to reach.

After a throw by Haden Abbott went wide of first base, allowing both Ward and Zubikowski to be signaled home to take their first lead of the game over the Titans.

“We get two on and Aiden Wagner comes up to hit, and he lays down a bunt. That absolutely floored me. I didn’t call that, Coach (Kaiden) Bowers called that and I was glad that he did,” said Nolan. “It was a beautiful bunt, and then the ball goes away from first base and we take the lead off of it. Nolan had another shot to add into center, and that really kept the wind blowing into our sails to break it open.”

To add even more damage, Fillmore went all the way back up to the top of their lineup with Nolan Krzeminski, who provided an insurance-ensuring detonation to center field with the bases loaded, driving in two on his laser beam to extend their lead to three.

Despite moving into the passenger’s seat for the first time in the battle, Avoca/Prattsburgh would provide one final stand to use against Fillmore, as they loaded up the bases behind Zubikowski with two outs. With a change on the mound to Ward to help seal the game, it took just four pitches to Crowder at the plate to leave every Titans runner on base to end a game that Nolan admits was quite nervous about coming in.

“If this kind of game doesn’t make you nervous one bit, there’s something wrong. That’s part of the fun,” he said. “It was close right from the start with that lead in the second. We came back and it was one of those games where runs were going to be hard to come by. It was a fun game, and we couldn’t have done it without Brent on the mound, he was outstanding. He was smart, he mixed his pitches. He gave us a great game.”

Zubikowski would record the win on the mound with five strikeouts and a walk across his start that elongated into the final at-bat in the seventh. As for the bats, the Eagles recorded seven hits in all, with Ward leading with a pair.

As for the Titans, Crowder and Dan Stilson each had two hits to fuel a six-hit effort at the plate. On the mound, Crowder fanned four and walked one across his five-inning start.

Fillmore is back on the field Thursday night with another colossal matchup, this time with Allegany County League implications, as they visit the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines in a 5 p.m. first pitch.

Avoca/Prattsburgh 020 000 1 – 3 6 1

Fillmore 000 104 X – 5 7 2

A/P – Jamel Crowder (4K, BB), Haden Abbott (LP, 6) (2K, 3BB) and Macoy Putnam.

FIL – Brent Zubikowski (WP) (5K, BB), Mitch Ward (7) and Nolan Krzeminski.

Friendship/Scio 8, Lima Christian 7 (F-8)

SCIO — Electricity filled the air in what was a thrilling return to battle for Friendship/Scio on Friday, where a strong start by one team and even stronger close by the other ultimately led to one more extra inning to decide it all.

The battle saw visiting Lima Christian fight their way back with five of the last six runs to enter extra innings tied at seven. But despite the comeback effort from the Saints, it was Friendship/Scio that had the last card to play, as they found a way to take care of the victory on their own terms in the bottom of the eighth, scoring the decisive run to lay claim on an 8-7 victory in walk-off fashion.

It would begin with a positive first at-bat sequence for Friendship/Scio (3-8) to build the game’s first lead, as they connected with three quick runs to pull ahead. The lead was trimmed down to as little as one by the Saints before they ultimately discovered their way ahead with a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth, scratching across three enormous runs.

It was a back and forth exchange of pleasantries in the middle frames to close out regulation, with Friendship/Scio scoring the game-tying run in the bottom of the sixth to force extra innings. After a scoreless seventh, the hosts in gold and black were able to maintain the momentum with the final run in the eighth to secure the walk-off win.

Friendship/Scio was aided with a 10-hit effort at the plate to help their cause, three of them from the bat of Ethan Davenport who launched his first career Varsity home run — a two-run blast, totaling three RBI to lead the way. Tyler Nickerson would chip in with two hits of his own.

Davenport would also collect the team’s victory from the mound in relief, fanning four Lima Christian batters. Getting the start was Nick Sortore, who was outstanding across his six innings of work, fanning eight and walking four.

Today, Friendship/Scio will host their annual mid-season tournament, where they get set to face Andover/Whitesville in a 10 a.m. first round battle.

Lima Christian 011 032 00 – 7 3 5

Friendship/Scio 301 201 01 – 8 10 3

LC – Curtis Welker (9K, 2BB), Nathan Herring (6) (5K, 2BB), Conner Welker (LP, 8) (BB) and Lemuel Fiegl.

F/S – Nick Sortore (8K, 4BB), Ethan Davenport (WP, 7) (4K) and Landon Arnold.

[PHOTO PROVIDED]

SOFTBALL

Bolivar-Richburg knocks off Addison, Olean to capture home tourney

RICHBURG — Being away through an extended period of time can make or break teams. The area’s last undefeated team celebrated one of their biggest nights in recent memory last Saturday with one of, if not, their biggest victory of the season against Class C power Bloomfield.

Nearly one week later, the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg marked their return to Stan Harris Field, this time with another gauntlet to navigate through — their own mid-season tournament.

Bolivar-Richburg foresaw a strong answer to the bell from Addison early on, as the Lady Knights posted all five of their runs in the first two innings of play to take a 5-2 lead at one point. But as time went on, the Lady Wolverines became stronger. As a result, they unleashed their power with a four-run frame to take the lead away for good, advancing into the title game later on that night with a 7-5 victory in the opening round.

Addison used key special teams play on the bases off a multitude of errors, along with an RBI double from Hadleigh Watson to fire up an early 2-0 lead. Bolivar-Richburg would respond with an equal frame of their own, led by RBIs from both Haley Mascho and Madigan Harris to tie the game.

Immediately following the first at-bats, the Lady Knights connected again by taking what was their largest lead they would have over the Lady Wolverines, posting a three-run stanza powered by back-to-back RBI doubles from Watson and Sadie Strauss.

But that would be all the scoring Addison scratched across the plate, as Bolivar-Richburg went on to score the contest’s final five runs, including a four-run fourth highlighted with a two-run blast from Malayna Ayers that gave them the 7-5 lead after a game-tying RBI double from Mascho stemmed from the previous at-bat.

In the last three innings, Mascho and the Lady Wolverines defense were able to hold the fort down, as she tossed five straight scoreless innings to keep the Lady Knights off the board for good. Mascho went the distance with a two strikeout complete game.

McKinlee Harris led the bats, going 3-for-4, while Mascho finished with her pair. Rylee Whiting added an RBI double of her own along the way.

The stage was now set for the Lady Wolverines to defend their home tournament crown against the Olean Lady Huskies to close out the evening. Like their first round battle, Bolivar-Richburg had to fight their way back after trailing early. In the hole by a 4-1 count, they would not let it faze them again by creating a third inning surge that propelled them back out in front for good, as they raced their way towards a second straight tournament crown with an 18-6 win — their 11th straight in a row after the night reached its conclusion.

After Olean took control of a three-run lead going into the bottom of the third, the Lady Wolverines (11-0) ignited a fire that continued to burn all game, beginning with an eight-run third inning once again fueled by another homer off the bat of Malayna Ayers, who finished a single shy of hitting for the cycle, as she added contributions in both of the team’s massive innings to maintain their lead.

Ayers would go on to win the tournament’s distinct honor of MVP at game’s end.

Haley Mascho and Allie ZIlker each added forceful contributions along the way to further distance the Lady Wolverines lead, recording a two-run single and two-run double respectively to complete what was now a 9-4 lead over Olean.

Scoring would resume on behalf of the Lady Huskies down the stretch, scoring their final two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to trim their deficit down to three. But the Lady Wolverines would slam the door shut in the bottom of the sixth, connecting on all facets with a nine-run outburst which was propelled to big heights by a bases-clearing double delivered by Mascho along with an RBI triple from Ayers to finish off the title-clinching win.

The Lady Wolverines posted 18 runs off 11 hits, with Ayers and Mascho each recording three hits. Zilker finished with two more to add into the fray. On the mound, Ayers struck out two and walked four to preserve the win. In addition to Ayers’ MVP nod, Mascho, McKinlee Harris and Madigan Harris were all given All-Tournament nods.

Bolivar-Richburg is back in action Tuesday night on the road with another battle under the lights, this time at Maple City Park, as they face the Hornell Lady Red Raiders in a 7 p.m. first pitch.

First Round

Addison 230 000 0 – 5 5 0

Bolivar-Richburg 201 400 X – 7 9 6

ADD – Makayla Miller (LP) (CG, K, 3BB) and Hadleigh Watson.

B-R – Haley Mascho (WP) (CG, 2K) and Madigan Harris.

Championship

Olean 211 011 0 – 6 9 0

Bolivar-Richburg 108 009 X – 18 11 1

OLE – Emma Edwards (LP) (CG, 2K, 8BB) and Anna Bates.

B-R – Malayna Ayers (WP) (CG, 2K, 4BB) and Madigan Harris.

Avoca/Prattsburgh 16, Fillmore 8

FILLMORE — The Lady Eagles of Fillmore put down the gas on a quick hop to their step Friday night, scoring four of the game’s first five runs to take the lead over visiting Avoca/Prattsburgh.

Down by three and with time becoming a luxury, the Lady Titans made the absolute most out of the clutch opportunity ahead, scoring 15 unanswered runs in the last three innings of play, pulling ahead of Fillmore beginning in the top of the fifth and never looking back from that point on, as they rolled towards a 16-8 road win.

Four unanswered runs were accounted for by the Lady Eagles (5-9) to start their battle after an early Avoca/Prattsburgh lead through the top half of the opening frame. The defenses would then buckle in to pitch two straight shutout frames on the field before the floodgates were broken through by the Lady Titans down the stretch.

From the fifth inning forward, the game was all under control of the visitors, as they totaled the next 15 runs at the plate, including a go-ahead, four-run frame marqueed by a two-run blast off the bat of Carmen Dailey. With a 5-4 lead in hand, the Lady Titans established more ground behind multiple walks and multiple RBI swings to set up an eight-run frame of insurance that helped them pull away and out of reach from Fillmore for good, despite one last push in the bottom of the seventh.

Both teams combined to record 26 hits at the plate, with Avoca/Prattsburgh claiming the 15-11 advantage in that department. Amongst the big bats were Lily Jorritsma and Jordan Swift, who recorded three hits each. Lily Hausauer and Emma Carlton each had two hits. Carlton also picked up Avoca/Prattsburgh’s win in the circle, fanning six Fillmore batters.

For the Lady Eagles, Mattie McCumiskey had the big bat, scoring a pair of two-run home runs at the beginning and end of the battle. Oakley Frazier and Grace Russell each recorded two hits to further the offense’s cause. In the circle, Mercedes Wolcott extended her start into the fifth inning, fanning one and walking five.

Fillmore is back on the field on Thursday over the road, visiting the undefeated Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg in a 5 p.m. first pitch.

Avoca/Prattsburgh 100 048 3 – 16 15 2

Fillmore 220 000 4 – 8 11 6

A/P – Emma Carlton (WP) (CG, 6K) and Jordan Swift.

FIL – Mercedes Wolcott (K, 5BB), Mylee Miller (LP, 5) (5BB) and Oakley Frazier.

Friendship/Scio 20, Lima Christian 0 (F-5)

LIMA — The Friendship/Scio ladies were on fire right from the start Friday night, as they build a bundle of momentum to carry over into their home tournament on Saturday with a dominant performance on the mound from Nevaeh Ross and an even more overpowering showing at the plate to electrify their 20-0 shutout at Lima Christian.

Friendship/Scio (9-3) accounted for at least three runs across four straight innings of offense, starting the game red hot with a 6-0 lead of the Lady Saints, led by three different RBI hits — a two-run single from Kiara Grover, an RBI double from Emily Lamberson and RBI single from Nora Thompson, to help set the stage.

The bats would continue heating up later on with a three-run frame in the second paced by back-to-back RBIs from Lamberson and Morghyn Ross, branching their lead to nine before scoring their final 11 runs in the last two frames, including a seven-run fourth to put a bow on the win.

In all, Friendship/Scio collected 20 runs off 12 hits, with five different batters recording at least a pair of hits. Leading the brigade was Morghyn Ross, who was 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Nevaeh Ross recorded two hits including a two-run double, scoring four runs herself along the way, while Emily Lamberson, Kiara Grover and Nora Thompson each finished with two hits.

In the circle, Nevaeh Ross held Lima Christian to a single hit, handing out 12 chairs.

Friendship/Scio will host their annual mid-season tournament this morning in Scio, where they will take on Andover/Whitesville in a first round matchup beginning at 10 a.m.

Friendship/Scio 634 70 – 20 12 0

Lima Christian 000 00 – 0 1 2

GOLF

Addison claims top honor in tri-match with Hinsdale, Wellsville

WELLSVILLE — With a phenomenal medalist round of 35 from Ryan Thompson paving the way for huge success, the undefeated Knights of Addison were untouchable at the top of the leaderboard on Friday at the Wellsville Country Club, scoring a match-low score of 177 to take care of business against both the host Lions and the Hinsdale Bobcats.

Wellsville (5-7) would go on to take the pleasure of placing second overall with a score of 215, with Ethan Bailey working his way to the top of the Lions scorecard once more, firing a team-low round of 43 to lead the way. Noah Brogan chipped in with his round of 55. Jackson Shoughrue provided a 58, while Fletcher Kaye was not far behind with his score of 59.

For the Bobcats, Caden Miller charged up a round of 42.

Both Wellsville and Hinsdale will resume regular season play on Thursday, hitting the road for 4 p.m. tee times with the Lions heading for Allegheny Hills to meet host Cuba-Rushford, while Hinsdale heads for the Bolivar Golf Club to battle the host Wolverines.

BOYS TENNIS

Fillmore sweeps twinbill with Andover/Whitesville

HOUGHTON — All chords were struck by the Fillmore Eagles on the tennis court once more Friday night to close out the week at Houghton University, as they used a dominant first match against Andover/Whitesville to set the tone for the evening, taking the two match sweep to remain undefeated on the season with a pair of 5-0 victories.

In the opening match, four of the five matches in action were scored with 10-0 shutouts, as Eben Schilke and Isaiah Sisson led the singles department with their victories, while both doubles squads of Joe Derck and Jack Boon at first doubles, along with Carson Sanasith and Henry Decker at second doubles all chipped in with 10-0 victories to put the sledgehammer down with the sweep.

Marcus Wolfer would chip in with a 10-1 win of his own at third singles, defeating Elden Terhune.

To close out the night, the Eagles would record another 5-0 sweep of Andover/Whitesville, this time led by Sisson, Wolfer and Boon in the singles department, all scoring dominant finishes by 10-1, 10-2 and 10-1 counts respectively. The doubles teams of Derck and Decker, along with Sanasisth and Ezra Knapp helped close out the night with perfection for the Eagles, scoring 10-1 and 10-3 wins over their opposition.

The Eagles are back on the tennis court over the road on Wednesday, visiting Genesee Valley/Belfast in a 5 p.m. first serve.

Match 1

Singles

1. Eben Schilke (FIL) def. Will Kent (A/W), 10-0.

2. Isaiah Sisson (FIL) def. Trey Kent (A/W), 10-0.

3. Marcus Wolfer (FIL) def. Elden Terhune (A/W), 10-1.

Doubles

1. Joe Derck/Jack Boon (FIL) def. Taegan MacCrea/Kori Carlin (A/W), 10-0.

2. Carson Sanasith/Henry Decker (FIL) def. Zoe Baert/Isabella Potter (A/W), 10-0.

Match 2

Singles

1. Isaiah Sisson (FIL) def. Will Kent (A/W), 10-1.

2. Marcus Wolfer (FIL) def. Trey Kent (A/W), 10-2.

3. Jack Boon (FIL) def. Elden Terhune (A/W), 10-1.

Doubles

1. Joe Derck/Henry Decker (FIL) def. Taegan MacCrea/Kori Carlin (A/W), 10-1

2. Carson Sanasith/Ezra Knapp (FIL) def. Isabella Potter/Zoe Baert (A/W), 10-3.

Wellsville at Avoca/Prattsburgh - No report.

Houghton Academy at Genesee Valley/Belfast - No report.