Thursday Roundup: B-R survives defensive shootout with Fri/Scio, post 4-run 6th to remain undefeated with 4-0 home blank; GV/Belfast golfers downed by Ark/can

RICHBURG — A showdown between two local powerhouses, who also currently stand as defending back-to-back Section V champions in their respective classes, can be some of the most exciting action a softball game can offer. When it’s two teams that are separated by just a short drive from another, that becomes an added bonus.

Thursday night in Richburg, the packed crowd that surrounded the field for a battle of epic proportions got their money’s worth and much more in an all-out defensive war that began right from the start, all the way down to the wire.

Something had to give in the midst of a scoreless heavyweight bout, but at what cost was it going to come?

With no capitalizations on offense being made across the board at the plate for five straight scoreless innings, the time for small ball had arrived. Both teams were knocking on the door of opportunity late, but the knocking would soon receive a response.

After Friendship/Scio issued the game’s first threat to open the scoring, the Lady Wolverines fired right back. Not only did they knock, but they wound up breaking the door down.

Haley Mascho was the first to ride the game-changing tidal wave in the bottom of the sixth inning for Bolivar-Richburg, as she connected on the team’s first big hit with runners in scoring position, lifting a hit into the outfield to plate the first run. When it was all said and done, the Class C3 champions totaled four enormous runs against the Class D2 champions, as they closed up shop with one final stand of defense to secure a phenomenal and resilient 4-0 victory.

“Tonight’s game definitely had a Sectional feel to it, and I think that this will benefit both teams later in the season,” said Lady Wolverines coach Brooke Lovell. “Friendship/Scio is a solid team that is well-coached. It was a competitive game from the start, and to be able to pull out the win this early in the season is definitely a boost for our team.”

Friendship/Scio’s Nevaeh Ross and Bolivar-Richburg’s Malayna Ayers were in complete command from within the circle, as both aces guided their squads across five quick, scoreless innings of softball, with numerous 1-2-3 innings being exchanged. One of which was garnered by Ayers in just four pitches during the fifth inning.

In the midst of the fight, Friendship/Scio (6-3) provided their first of two solid chances to apply pressure against Bolivar-Richburg, as they saw Nevaeh Ross work her way on base, reaching on error and working all the way over to third base. After the visitors laid two straight bunts down, Madigan Harris would use her awareness at the plate to catch Ross making a break for home, catching Ross in the base path, grabbing the out at the dish.

Their best chance would come with a pair of runners in Logan Roberts and Nevaeh Ross reaching, ultimately landing in scoring position with one out. But both were left stranded by Ayers and the Lady Wolverines (4-0) defense, as the senior hurler recorded a big strikeout along with a nice grab from Jayna Thomas in center on a line drive to end the inning.

In turn, Bolivar-Richburg would cash in on the game’s ultimate momentum shift, beginning with a lead-off single into the right field gap from McKinlee Harris, followed by a Thomas bunt that moved Harris further into scoring position. The Lady Wolverines would then break through the ice with a shot that sank into right field, scoring Harris for the game’s first run and lead.

With the foundation laid down, the Lady Wolverines resumed putting the pieces to the puzzle together with RBIs from Rylee Whiting and Allie Zilker, extending their lead out to four — far enough to hang on in the final inning to score the big win over Friendship/Scio at the end of the night.

Ayers was credited with the win on the mound for Bolivar-Richburg, holding Friendship/Scio to just two hits while striking out six and walking one while the offense produced six hits at the plate. Mascho and Whiting led the way with two hits each.

For the visitors in black and gold, Ross fanned 11 Lady Wolverines and walked one in her complete game effort. At the plate, she along with Katherine Lamberson recorded the team’s lone hits, recording singles.

The Lady Wolverines will close out the week with a 5 p.m. road trip to Fillmore tonight, while Friendship/Scio looks to rebound back home in Scio on Monday with a 5 p.m. visit from Genesee Valley/Belfast.

Friendship/Scio 000 000 0 – 0 2 2

Bolivar-Richburg 000 004 X – 4 6 2

F/S – Nevaeh Ross (LP) (CG, 11K, BB) and Morghyn Ross.

B-R – Malayna Ayers (WP) (CG, 6K, BB) and Madigan Harris.

BASEBALL

Bolivar-Richburg 22, Friendship/Scio 0 (F-5)

BOLIVAR — The offense displayed by the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg allowed them to score at least three runs in each of the four innings of action, as three different hitters totaled at least three hits to rocket the team’s 22-0 home win over Friendship/Scio in five innings.

While the offense was putting the hammer down at the plate, the defense led by three hurlers — Landon Barkley, James Margeson and David Baldwin, who all combined to hold Friendship/Scio in check from start to finish for the no-hit performance, with Barkley being credited with the victory behind a strikeout and walk across two innings.

At the plate, three different hitters all recorded at least three hits to pace the Wolverines (4-3), with Reiss Gaines leading the charge with a perfect 4-for-4 outing, driving in three runs and scoring four times. Aydin Sisson drove in four runs off his three hits and scored four runs of his own.

Furthering the cause was Margeson, who chipped in with three hits and three RBI, while Trey Buchholz had a triple.

For Friendship/Scio (1-4), Cooper Greenman fanned two and walked six in his start on the hill.

Bolivar-Richburg will carry the momentum into tonight’s massive County showdown on the road, as they pay a visit to defending Class D1 champion Fillmore for a 5 p.m. first pitch.

Friendship/Scio 000 0 0 – 0 0 1

Bolivar-Richburg 336 (10) X – 22 14 0

F/S – Cooper Greenman (LP) (2K, 6BB), Ethan Davenport (2) (K, 2BB), Hunter Hill (3) (5BB), Landon Arnold (4) (BB) and Arnold, Greenman (4).

B-R – Landon Barkley (WP) (K, BB), James Margeson (3) (2K, BB), David Baldwin (5) (2K) and Aydin Sisson, Cayden Gaines (4).

GOLF

Arkport/Canaseraga 185, Genesee Valley/Belfast 221

WELLSVILLE — You couldn’t picture a much more gorgeous day for an evening on the links, Thursday night at the Wellsville Country Club, where host Genesee Valley/Belfast aimed to keep a strong start to their campaign rolling.

But visiting Arkport/Canaseraga would have other plans in store for the match, as Sebastian Carroll propelled the Wolves towards a 185-221 win behind his outstanding medalist round.

Carroll jet-fueled Arkport/Canaseraga’s path towards victory with the match’s strongest fired round, recording a round of 37. Not far behind was Nick Stuart, who tallied a round of 40. Sawyer Montague and Eli Fint rounded off with scores of 53 and 55.

For Genesee Valley/Belfast (2-2), Chris Weaver propelled to the top of the scorecard with his team-low round of 49. Justin Hill was second, carding a 56. Dakota Hemphill and Will Guilford each fired a round of 58, while Colden Caiazza had a 61.

Up next, Genesee Valley/Belfast heads off to the Bolivar Golf Club to face the host Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg in a 4 p.m. tee time.

BOYS TENNIS

Alfred-Almond 5, Bolivar-Richburg 0

BOLIVAR — The Eagles of Alfred-Almond took complete control all match long over the road against Bolivar-Richburg on Thursday, as shutouts in all three singles matches helped ignite a dominant performance on the tennis court with a 5-0 sweep over the host Wolverines.

Cameron Heinig, Maddox Dixon and Patrick Power all recorded 8-0 shutouts in the singles department to clinch match victory for Alfred-Almond. Adding wins along the way were Lucian Floretto and Julian Petrillo at first doubles, as they battled tough against Bolivar-Richburg’s (0-4) team of Zane Pangburn and Dylan Crawford to deliver an 8-5 win.

Rounding off the win was the second doubles team of Jack Deutsch and Vincent Craft, as they rolled towards an 8-2 win over Nebula Wilson-Smith and Alex Parker.

The Wolverines are back on the court over the road tonight with a 5 p.m. first serve against Andover/Whitesville, at Alfred-Almond.

Singles

1. Cameron Heinig (A-A) def. Anthony Densmore (B-R), 8-0.

2. Maddox Dixon (A-A) def. Ben Kisel (B-R), 8-0.

3. Patrick Power (A-A) def. Guinevere Coats (B-R), 8-0.

Doubles

1. Lucian Floretto/Julian Petrillo (A-A) def. Zane Pangburn/Dylan Crawford (B-R), 8-5.

2. Jack Deutsch/Vincent Craft (A-A) def. Nebula Wilson-Smith/Alex Parker (B-R), 8-2.

Avoca/Prattsburgh at Houghton Academy - No report.