Thursday Roundup: Lady Wolverines, behind stellar pitching, clutch bats, sweep massive twinbill with Friendship/Scio to remain unbeaten; Wellsville golfers triumph on Senior Night over B-R
RICHBURG — This was a matchup that was circled on almost everyone's calendar for quite a while.
Two of Allegany County's elites meeting on one field at the same time. As an added bonus, both teams are looking to build on what was a championship-winning season, last year in Class C2 and Class D2.
Entering Thursday's duel in Richburg, both Bolivar-Richburg and Friendship/Scio were riding high, soaring to new heights with hot streaks in their back pockets, with the Lady Wolverines starting their season blazing a trail towards seven straight wins, while Friendship/Scio began with nine of the last 10 in their favor.
Something had to give, right?
Both squads came together for not one, but two duels altogether to decide whose tremendous tear would survive the night. And right out of the gate, a show was put on for a packed audience that flooded the outskirts up and down the field.
Nevaeh Ross and Jessica Majot – two of the County's top pitchers, delivered blow after blow to begin the night of festivities, navigating their paths through what was deemed a heavy defensive battle in Game 1. Both offenses struck while the iron was hot in the opening frame, collecting an early deadlock that had to be broken going forward.
So who took the key into their possession? – The Lady Wolverines did.
After Ross and Majot engaged in a battle across the next couple of innings, the offense for Bolivar-Richburg finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth, as they garnered three humongous runs off two hits from both Paityn Johnston and McKinlee Harris, allowing them to spring ahead towards a 6-2 Game 1 victory to start the doubleheader off against Friendship/Scio.
“We had some timely hits in the first game, and we were able to execute when it mattered the most,” said Lady Wolverines coach Brooke Lovell. “Baserunning was just as big tonight. We were able to be aggressive on the base paths, and for it to happen against a team like them, it paid off big time for us.”
Through the opening inning, Friendship/Scio and Bolivar-Richburg each collected a pair of runs to begin the day, with the visitors using their baserunning and an RBI single from Morghyn Ross to get them started, while Malayna Ayers began what was an incredible stint of offense in both games, with a two-run single in the home half to immediately tie the game up.
From that point on, the defenses waged war for the next couple of innings, trading scoreless barbs before the action reached another boiling point. That coming in the bottom of the fourth, when Bolivar-Richburg ultimately found their way through Nevaeh Ross and into the field, as they scored three go-ahead runs led by a beautiful Paityn Johnston squeeze bunt directly in front of the plate that scored a run.
Two at-bats later, McKinlee Harris brought some more firepower to the table with the bases loaded behind Ross and the Friendship/Scio defense, as she blasted a single into right field, far enough to score two additional runs to build their lead.
While the Lady Wolverines were able to reload the bases one more time on their opposition, Madigan Harris nearly cleared them all with a devastating grand slam to deep center field. But a catch on the warning track from Katherine Lamberson prevented that, taking one great big leap up and one tumble over the fence after securing the catch, to finish off a heroic and incredible play to close out the fourth inning, garnering applause all around the field after its conclusion.
Bolivar-Richburg would go on to score one final run behind their baserunning, as Ayers scratched across the sixth and final run off a passed ball away from the plate.
Harris and Ayers would lead the Bolivar-Richburg bats with two each.
That would allow Majot and the defense to take care of business soon after, as she recorded a four-hit performance fueled by 13 strikeouts inside the circle after holding Friendship/Scio scoreless for six consecutive innings after the 2-2 first inning tie.
For Friendship/Scio on offense, Nevaeh Ross earned two of the four hits, while Morghyn Ross had a double and Claire Calhoun drove in a run. In the circle, Ross would finish with seven strikeouts and six walks in her tossed six-hitter.
In Game 2, a much different story.
The momentum that the Lady Wolverines had built going into then nightcap, turned into a sudden eruption straight out of the gate to close the evening, as they posted seven of the first eight runs of the game to set a tone that would eventually lead to bigger things – a doubleheader sweep of Friendship/Scio, as Bolivar-Richburg strolled towards an 18-2 win to remain undefeated at 9-0 on the season officially.
“Friendship/Scio is a good team and Nevaeh is tough on the mound. Being able to jump out and score earlier on her was pivotal,” said Lovell. “Malayna was very tough, and she threw very well tonight as well. She mixed her pitches really well. We've talked about closing out games, minimizing mistakes, and always come out with our best effort. We were able to do that in both games, and I am so extremely proud of these girls. We hope to continue the momentum was get closer to sectionals at the end of the season.”
The Lady Wolverines (9-0) nearly blew through their entire lineup in the first inning to start the game, beginning on fire with a 4-0 lead, leds by Madigan Harris and Malayna Ayers and their RBI triples, with Harris driving in a pair on a deep drive into right field, while Ayers scored her on the very next at-bat with one of her own.
Friendship/Scio (9-3) would find their way onto the board for the first of two times, as Morghyn Ross continued a great evening at the plate with an RBI single into center field to score Nevaeh Ross.
That momentum was used in the third to help Ross record a start that she wanted, fanning the first pair of Bolivar-Richburg batters that approached the plate. But through the clutch, the Lady Wolverines bounced back with another fine inning – a three-run top of the second to branch out their lead to 7-1, a cushion that was never threatened.
Bolivar-Richburg went on to add a five-run fifth and six-run seventh inning into the fray, with Ayers capping off a brilliant offensive night for not only herself, but the entire team, with a massive grand slam in the top of the seventh inning.
The Lady Wolverines concluded with 18 runs off 10 total hits, with Ayers grabbing three of thems and five total RBI. She would also get the nod in the circle, and the win at the end of it, fanning 12 and walking two in her start.
Helping the cause on offense, was McKinlee Harris, who finished with two hits. Maddy Thornton chipped in with a double.
For Friendship/Scio, Jadeyn Shields pitched with a double for the offense. In the circle, Ross struck out 11 and walked four across her complete game. The team will now prepare to take on Alfred-Almond back home in Scio, starting at 5 p.m.
Up next tonight, if weather permits, Bolivar-Richburg will partake in tournament action on their home field, as they welcome Portville, Addison and Avoca/Prattsburgh in to vie for this year's prize in Richburg, beginning at 5 p.m.
Game 1
Friendship/Scio 200 000 0 – 2 4 0
Bolivar-Richburg 200 310 X – 6 6 2
F/S – Nevaeh Ross (LP) (CG, 7K, 6BB), and Morghyn Ross.
B-R – Jessica Majot (WP) (CG, 13K), and Madigan Harris.
Game 2
Bolivar-Richburg 430 050 6 – 18 10 2
Friendship/Scio 100 010 0 – 2 3 9
B-R – Malayna Ayers (WP) (CG, 12K, 2BB), and Madigan Harris.
F/S – Nevaeh Ross (LP) (CG, 11K, 4BB), and Morghyn Ross.
BASEBALL
Avoca/Prattsburgh 11, Friendship/Scio 1
FRIENDSHIP — Avoca/Prattsburgh coach Dennie Miles has won 757 games in his career and coached in over 1,000. However, until Thursday, he had never coached at his alma mater, Friendship, where he was a three-sport athlete and named the best All-Time athlete in the Southern Tier in 2013.
Wearing the green, gold and maroon of Avoca-Prattsburgh, Miles led A-P to an 11-1 win on Thursday at historic Wellman Field in Friendship.
Avoca-Prattsburgh (8-4) will play on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown against Andover-Whitesville.
On Thursday, A/P junior Jamel Crowder scattered four hits over five innings to earn his second win of the season. Crowder struck out 13 and walked four.
At the plate for A/P, Pacey Hopkins went 4-for-4 with a triple, double, 3 RBI's, scored three runs stole three bases while Josiah Stilson was 3-for-3 with two stolen bases and scored two runs.
Also for the visitors,, Haden Abbott was 3-for-4 with a RBI double and a stolen base. Macoy Putnam had two hits, 2 RBI's, stole two bases while Sawyer Devoe (2 RBI's) Crowder and Tucker Gerych (RBI) had hits.
For Friendship/Scio (5-8), Hunter Hill blasted an RBI single in fourth to avoid the shutout, scoring Jacob Golden. Joey Bednez, Ethan Davenport and Kody Marvin also had hits to contribute.
On defense, Bednez snared a line-shot up the middle and fired to Joey Nickerson at first for a double play, and Marvin made an acrobatic play in right and also threw out a runner at the plate. Tyler Nickerson also made a great stab to catch a line drive at first.
Friendship/Scio will finish the home-at-home with Avoca/Prattsburgh with a 5 p.m. Monday road trip to Avoca before heading to Lima Christian on Tuesday.
Avoca/Prattsburgh 262 01 – 11 14 1
Friendship/Scio 001 00 – 1 4 2
A/P – Jamel Crowder (WP) (CG, 13K, 4BB), and Macoy Putnam.
F/S – Joey Bednez (LP) (CG, 3K, 3BB), and Landen Arnold.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 17, Andover/Whitesville (F-6)
WHITESVILLE — Through the early stages, Genesee Valley/Belfast and Andover/Whitesville stayed neck and neck with one another, with each team breaking the ice themselves with a 1-1 tie during their first at-bats of the contest.
From that point, the offensive production would escalate fairly quickly. After Andover/Whitesville jumped ahead by a pair after three innings, Genesee Valley/Belfast put capitalizations on everything they were able to get their hands on, as they scored a seven-run fourth inning and never looked back on Thursday, coasting towards a 17-4 win in Whitesville after six innings.
Genesee Valley/Belfast (5-8) struck every chord from hitting to using their legs around the bags, as they fought through an early back-and-forth exchange with Andover/Whitesville to bring it all together in the fourth inning, when the offense exploded with a run that saw them score 16 of the game's last 17 runs, including the last nine to end the game.
The JagDogs totaled seven hits at the plate, with Elden Aquila earning a pair to lead the way. The win on the mound was awarded to Thai Norasethaporn and his brilliant relief appearance beginning in the third inning, only giving up one run the rest of the way behind seven strikeouts to keep Andover/Whitesville (2-7) at bay.
On the counter, the hosts were paced by a six-hit afternoon at the plate, two of them from CJ Estep to lead the front of the pack. Layton Miller chipped in with a double to further the cause. In turn, Miller recorded a pair of strikeouts in the midst of his two-inning start on the hill. Andover/Whitesville will now prepare for a long bus ride to Doubleday Field in Cooperstown to take on Avoca/Prattsburgh on Saturday at 10 a.m.
As for the JagDogs, they will also return to action on Saturday, traveling to visit Alfred-Almond in a 12 p.m. first pitch.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 100 754 – 17 8 2
Andover/Whitesville 120 100 – 4 6 7
GVB – Carter Stout, Thai Norasethaporn (WP, 3) (7K), and Justin Hill.
A/W – Layton Miller (2K), Cormac Brown (LP, 3) (4BB), Brody Carlin (4) (6BB), Luke Erdmann (6), and Colton Calladine.
Cuba-Rushford 16, Hinsdale 11
CUBA — It was one of the more wild and hectic games you may see all season. On Thursday, 27 combined runs off 24 total hits were collected between both the Bobcats of Hinsdale, and the host Rebels of Cuba-Rushford in an offensive power battle that kicked in almost immediately after the opening frame.
After an early lead for the Rebels was garnered, it was back and forth trades soon after. Multiple lead changes were exchanged, with Hinsdale holding the first one in tact. But coming down the home stretch, the hosts made sure they had the final one by scoring nine of the game's last 12 runs to go ahead and towards a wild 16-11 victory on Senior Night.
“It is always nice to get a win for our Seniors on Senior Night,” said Rebels coach Pat Wight. “We got down early with Hinsdale, and that's more credit to them for coming here ready to play tonight. Give us some credit too, our nine Seniors put us on their backs and we found a way to battle back. 17 hits is pretty impressive.”
From the opening pitch, Hinsdale and Cuba-Rushford (5-7) came together for a grueling back-and-forth battle until the end, beginning with the Bobcats overtaking the Rebels lead in the second inning by posting their largest stand of offense – a five-run frame to hop on the board with a 5-2 lead to control.
That lead would grow to as much as five before the Rebels kicked their offense into gear themselves, as they tied the game at seven on each side in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs. Five more runs would come across after Hinsdale (0-9) took the lead right back in the top half of the fifth, providing what was ultimately the final lead change in all to keep the Rebels out front for good.
The Rebels totaled 16 runs off 17 total hits at the plate, with Jarrett Campbell leading the way with a perfect 4-for-4 outing behind a double and three RBI. Logan Lewis added in a pair of doubles from within his three-hit afternoon, driving in four total RBI, while Mason Grasso had three hits himself.
On the mound, the win was credited to Austin Pinney, who struck out six and walked four in his relief appearance that stretched into the seventh.
For Hinsdale, they collected 11 runs off seven total hits, with Tucker Schwartz garnering three of them. On the mound, Damion Brown provided a magnificent four innings of work, striking out 10 and walking five in his start for the Bobcats, who are now off until Tuesday on the road, visiting Andover/Whitesville at 5 p.m. in Whitesville.
If weather permits tonight, Cuba-Rushford will head for Bolivar-Richburg to partake in tournament action starting in a 5 p.m. first round battle slated against the Honeoye Bulldogs. Oswayo Valley and the host Wolverines will follow at 7 p.m.
Hinsdale 052 013 0 – 11 7 5
Cuba-Rushford 212 254 X – 16 17 3
HIN – Damion Brown (10K, 5BB), Landon Wyant (LP, 5) (3K, BB), and Parker Cummins.
C-R – Jon White (4K, 3BB), Austin Pinney (WP, 4) (6K, 4BB), Eli Sleggs (7) (K), and Logan Lewis.
GOLF
Wellsville 36, Bolivar-Richburg 19
WELLSVILLE — The Lions of Wellsville celebrated their Senior Night in style back on their home confines at the Wellsville Country Club on Thursday, as their Seniors propelled the way forward towards success, bouncing back after a pair of losses to both Fillmore and Genesee Valley/Belfast just a day earlier with a 36-19 win over Bolivar-Richburg.
Mason Parks helped ring in the victory for Wellsville (6-3) with the match's lowest round shot, as he put together a match-low score of 50 to claim the medalist honor. Not far behind him was Jack Jordan, as he chipped in a round of 51. Dylon Day collected a 55. Briar Dye scored a 57, while Serena Boussa rounded off with a 60.
Bolivar-Richburg (1-3) was paced by a team-low round of 53 fired by Maddox Day. Gauge Robinson followed with a round of 58. Anthony Donoghue and Roman Johnston each chipped in with a 66, while Ryan Greeson concluded the scoring with a 68.
Both teams are back on the links tomorrow in a pair of 4 p.m. tee times, if weather permits, as Wellsville heads out to the Ischua Valley Country Club to take on Hinsdale, while Bolivar-Richburg heads back home to the Bolivar Golf Club to host Genesee Valley/Belfast.
Hinsdale 37, Cuba-Rushford 15
RUSHFORD — Up at Allegany Hills on Thursday, it was a match controlled by the Hinsdale Bobcats, as they saw Caden Miller record medalist honors at the end of the day to set up what was a 37-15 victory over the road against the host Rebels of Cuba-Rushford.
Miller fronted the scorecard for the Bobcats (2-5) with a match-low round of 58.
The Rebels (1-5) were led by Haven Kellogg, as he tallied a team-low round of 62. Cliff Karn provided a 71, while Ethan Fries rounded off with a 75.
Both teams are back on the links Monday night in a pair of 4 p.m. contests, as Hinsdale hosts Wellsville at the Ischua Valley Country Club in Franklinville, while Cuba-Rushford heads to the Wellsville Country Club to take on Genesee Valley/Belfast.
BOYS TENNIS
Scio 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 0
BELMONT — Just three matches took center stage in the County's lone tennis match on Thursday in Belmont, all of which being contested from within the singles department.
One where the visiting Tigers of Scio managed to bring out the brooms against the JagDogs, as all three singles matches went in their favor to take the 3-0 decision in the end.
A thrilling third singles match between Scio's Austin Gowdy and Genesee Valley/Belfast's Gavin Kenyon went all the way down to the wire. After Gowdy recorded the first set victory, Kenyon fought his way back through a back-and-forth second set to build up an exciting finish in the last.
Both competitors would force a third-set tie break, one where Gowdy was able to come away with a three-point advantage to take the victory and the match sweep for the Tigers (5-3) at the end of the evening.
Adding wins for Scio were Corey Field at first singles over Trevor Clark, and Ben Weimer with a second singles win over James Frawley.
Both teams are back on the court tonight with 5 p.m. first serves, if weather permits, as Scio heads for Houghton College to take on host Houghton Academy, while Genesee Valley/Belfast (2-5) looks to rebound on the road, visiting Bolivar-Richburg.
Singles
1. Corey Field (SCIO) def. Trevor Clark (GVB), 6-4, 7-5.
2. Ben Weimer (SCIO) def. James Frawley (GVB), 6-2, 6-2.
3. Austin Gowdy (SCIO) def. Gavin Kenyon (GVB), 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4).
TRACK
Wolverines bring out brooms in meet sweep of Fri/Scio, C-R
BOLIVAR — The sweep was on for the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg, Thursday evening on their home track, as both boys and girls teams dominated the field of competition with multiple first place wins to take the overall first place finish against both visiting Friendship/Scio and Cuba-Rushford.
The boys team collected 13 first place finishes to go with 81 points, with Rudy Polk and Ethan Coleman both leading the way with three victories each, as Polk took the top spot in all three of his events in the field – the high jump, long jump and triple jump, while Coleman collected triumphs in the 100 dash, 400 sprint and pole vault.
Lloyd Kinnicutt and Hunter Stuck added two more wins themselves behind sweeps, as Kinnicutt collected winning distances on both the shot put and discus, while Stuck brought out the brooms to record top finishes in both hurdling events – the 110 and 400 hurdles. Caden Giardini had the team's final individual win, placing first in the 3200 run.
The Wolverines also added in two relay victories along the way.
For the Lady Wolverines, 10 first place finishes of their own were tallied to pace their 93-point top finish. The team saw both Raegan Giardini and Kori Thomas lead the way with a pair of wins each, with Giardini climbing to the top in both the 800 sprint, and 1500 run, while Thomas swept both the 100 and 400 hurdling events to further the cause.
Giardini would also race a leg in the team's lone relay win, collecting it in the 3200.
Laila Knight and Maddy Sisson would complete a team sweep of the throwing events for Bolivar-Richburg, as they both garnered medaling distances in the shot put and discus. Other individual winners for the team include: Kyla Gayton in the high jump, Nadia Baldwin in the long jump and Nahia Etxebeste in the triple jump.
Friendship/Scio would earn the second place finish behind Bolivar-Richburg overall, with the boys recording 43 total points and three first place wins. Of those wins, Greg Wesche had two of them, as he placed first in the 800 sprint and 1600 run. Jordan White added in a win of his own, finishing tops in the 200 dash.
As for the ladies, Lexi Crossley would gather the two lone individual wins to help set up a 25-point second place finish. Friendship/Scio would also see Crossley race a leg in the team's winning 400 relay squad.
Cuba-Rushford would finish third overall with nine points from their boys team, and 10 from the ladies, with Kendall Tompkins collecting the solo victory in the 400 sprint.
Boys Team Scores: Bolivar-Richburg 81, Friendship/Scio 43, Cuba-Rushford 9.
Results
100 – 1. Ethan Coleman (B-R) 11.8, 1. Jordan White (F/S) 11.8, 3. Anderson Siegel (C-R).
200 – 1. Jordan White (F/S) 24.8, 2. Anderson Siegel (C-R), 3. Shawn Patrick (F/S).
400 – 1. Ethan Coleman (B-R) 56.3, 2. Brenden Loucks (F/S), 3. Anderson Siegel (C-R).
800 – 1. Greg Wesche (F/S) 2:35.4, 2. Jude Marion (F/S), 3. Gary McDowell (B-R).
1600 – 1. Greg Wesche (F/S) 5:37.3, 2. Logan Pforter (B-R), 3. Caden Giardini (B-R).
3200 – 1. Caden Giardini (B-R) 15:04.5.
110H – 1. Hunter Stuck (B-R) 16.2.
400H – 1. Hunter Stuck (B-R) 1:10.0.
400R – 1. Bolivar-Richburg (Bromley, McDowell, Parker, Kinnicutt) 54.3.
3200R – 1. Bolivar-Richburg (Giardini, Pforter, McDowell, Walp) 12:45.2.
Shot – 1. Lloyd Kinnicutt (B-R) 43-7, 2. Rudy Polk (B-R), 3. Brenden Loucks (F/S).
Discus – 1. Lloyd Kinnicutt (B-R) 128-3, 2. Brenden Loucks (F/S), 3. Tristan Clayson (C-R).
High Jump – 1. Rudy Polk (B-R) 5-2, 2. Wade Lewis (F/S).
Long Jump – 1. Rudy Polk (B-R) 19-2.5, 2. Jordan White (F/S), 3. Lloyd Kinnicutt (B-R).
Tri Jump – 1. Rudy Polk (B-R) 36-7, 2. Greg Wesche (F/S), 3. Wade Lewis (F/S).
Pole – 1. Ethan Coleman (B-R) 10-6.
Girls Team Scores: Bolivar-Richburg 93, Friendship/Scio 25, Cuba-Rushford 10.
Results
100 – 1. Lexi Crossley (F/S) 14.0, 2. Brynn Lavery (C-R), 3. Jenn Dickens (F/S).
200 – 1. Lexi Crossley (F/S) 29.3, 2. Nadia Baldwin (B-R), 3. Brynn Lavery (C-R).
400 – 1. Kendall Tompkins (C-R) 1:17.4, 2. Carmen Crowley (B-R), 3. Jayna Thomas (B-R)
800 – 1. Raegan Giardini (B-R) 3:02.8, 2. Addison Hackett (B-R).
1500 – 1. Raegan Giardini (B-R) 6:08.8.
100H – 1. Kori Thomas (B-R) 19.0, 2. Jenn Dickens (F/S), 3. Maddy Sisson (B-R).
400H – 1. Kori Thomas (B-R) 1:24.9.
400R – 1. Friendship/Scio (Crossley, Davenport, Banaffini, Dickens) 58.7, 2. Bolivar-Richburg.
3200R – 1. Bolivar-Richburg (Walp, Giardini, Hackett, Etxebeste) 15:14.2.
Shot – 1. Laila Knight (B-R) 26-9, 2. Melana Davenport (F/S), 3. Genecis Easton (B-R)
Discus – 1. Maddy Sisson (B-R) 70-4, 2. Genecis Easton (B-R), 3. Laila Knight (B-R).
High Jump – 1. Kyla Gayton (B-R) 4-6, 2. Joey Danaher (B-R), 3. Jayna Thomas (B-R).
Long Jump – 1. Nadia Baldwin (B-R) 14-8, 2. Carmen Crowley (B-R), 3. Addison Hackett (B-R).
Tri Jump – 1. Nahia Etxebeste (B-R) 26-10, 2. Brena Walp (B-R), 3. Carmen Crowley (B-R).
