Tuesday Roundup: Wolverines outlast Eagles in shortened rain-soaked battle at B-R; Wellsville falls to Canandaigua in first official game of season

BOLIVAR — Mother Nature was at it again, Tuesday night. With rain scheduled in the forecast again, both Fillmore and Bolivar-Richburg managed to garner enough time to fit in their first Allegany County clash in a shortened, but official contest. Before the precipitation began to fall in buckets, both the Eagles and Wolverines engaged in a back-and-forth battle through, and through.

When the bottom of the fifth arrived, the hosts in white and black grabbed the final run that was needed to pull ahead before the game was officially called off due to the downpour, as they grabbed their first win of the season by a 5-4 count over the Eagles in five innings.

“It was an interesting way to start the season, to say the least,” Wolverines coach Dustin Allen said. “I was happy with how our pitchers threw for the most part, and we made some nice plays behind them on defense. Fillmore has a nice team, and Bill (Nolan) is a fantastic coach. Both their pitchers threw well to keep us off balance the whole game. But for our first game in a long time, it was finally nice to get back out here. It seemed like forever since the last time we played.”

As expected, the game was a teeter-totter battle, with the Wolverines grabbing the first lead in the bottom of the second before regaining traction after both teams scored three-run third innings, resulting in a 4-3 lead. Both teams would hang on more run on in the fifth before the rain washed out the remainder of the contest, resulting in Bolivar-Richburg holding their one-run lead.

Both teams combined for nine runs, just two hits on offense were collected, both by the Wolverines (1-0) and both by their starting pitcher — Landon Danaher, who grabbed a pair of singles while scoring a pair of runs in the process. Wyatt Karnuth added two more runs along the way. Danaher on the mound, handed out three chairs and walked three in his start. Camdyn MacDonell picked up the win in relief, fanning one and walking two in his fifth inning appearance.

As for the Eagles (0-1), three of their four runs were scored in the top half of the third inning, to take the lead away from Bolivar-Richburg, using baserunning to their advantage to score the runs. Out of the four total, Zach Sisson provided two of those runs to help Fillmore’s cause, despite the team registering no hits at the plate, resulting in Bolivar-Richburg’s combined no-hit twirl to begin their season.

On the hill, Connor Potter provided a solid showing for the visitors in gray and green, handing out eight chairs while walking five in his three-inning outing. Aaron Buck added in three more strikeouts of his own and walked one in his two innings of relief. Fillmore will return to action back over the road Thursday night with a 5 p.m. first pitch at Cuba-Rushford.

As for the Wolverines, they will look to continue the momentum they gathered into Thursday night with a 5 p.m. first pitch over the road, as they prepare to take a trip into the Lion’s Den to square off with Wellsville.

“We’ll have our hands full, that’s for sure,” Allen said. “Wellsville’s a great program, and they have always had a phenomenal program. We’re going to give it our all, and this will be another nice test for us to start the season. Baseball is a crazy game, and it was proven tonight.”

Fillmore 003 01 – 4 0 2

Bolivar-Richburg 013 01 – 5 2 1

FIL – Connor Potter (8K, 5BB), Aaron Buck (LP, 4) (3K, BB), and Brent Zubikowski.

B-R – Landon Danaher (3K, 3BB), Wyatt Karnuth (3) (K, BB), Camdyn MacDonell (WP, 5) (K, 2BB), and Brayden Ellis.

Canandaigua 5, Wellsville 1

CANANDAIGUA — Like the hit Queen and David Bowie jam signifies, Wellsville was Under Pressure, Tuesday night. Time was running out on the Lions over the road in Canandaigua, as they fell behind to the host Braves after providing a quick hop to their step from the start with a 1-0 lead to start the day.

It was a lead that Wellsville attempted to threaten in the late stages when the offense saw a rhythm begin to appear in the top of the sixth, when they erased the Canandaigua shutout. But it was also one that the Braves never lost, as time ran out in the end with the big four-run fifth inning managing to hold up to hold off the Lions with a 5-1 victory.

“It was a great game leading up to the fifth inning. It was closer than the scoreboard indicated, and both teams were struggling to get the base hits early, and then that inning came,” said Lions coach Marc Agnello. “We got the first out and then the struggles came. Hitting a batter, errors, wild pitches, bases hits. Right before you know it, a five-run lead for them happens. But the guys woke their bats up to stay in the game in the sixth. We had a couple key hits here and there, but we just ran out of time.”

Wellsville (0-1) collected just four hits on offense, but it was Jere Havens that kept them in the game in the early stages after falling behind, 1-0, as he provided four solid innings of hurling with four strikeouts and a walk. But then the Braves capitalized on their big inning to extend their lead to 5-0 with their final four runs. In all, Canandaigua scored five runs off two hits despite the triumph.

At the plate, Alex Green led the way with two of the four Lions hits, including a double. Brayden Delahunt and Logan Dunbar each chipped in with a double, with Delahunt driving in the team’s lone run off of his belt into the outfield.

“We played well, and I told them before this game that this is a Class A school,” Agnello said. “I told them that we have the opportunity to get better, and we did get better. We never gave up, and it was a great game that we can certainly build from. We’re excited to get back to work tomorrow.”

The Lions will make their return to the Den on Thursday with a 5 p.m. showdown with Bolivar-Richburg before hosting a Saturday morning twinbill at 10 a.m. with Arkport/Canaseraga, beginning with their suspended game from last week, tied 7-7 heading into the top of the eighth inning. The Lions and Wolves will then play another seven-inning regulation game upon the completion of their suspended contest.

Wellsville 000 001 0 – 1 4 1

Canandaigua 100 040 X – 5 2 1

WLSV – Jere Havens (LP) (4K, BB), Dominic Sawyer (5) (2K, BB), and Alex Green.

CAN – Braden Pawlicki (WP) (2K, 3BB), Aaron Crunick (6) (3K), and Joey Bognanno.

Belfast 11, Andover 3 (F-5)

BELFAST — Under the lights on Senior Night, the host Bulldogs and visiting Panthers managed to beat out the rain to complete a game that begged a question — who could out-hurl the other?

Andover’s Layton Miller and Belfast’s Nick Ellison went toe-to-toe on the hill against one another to answer that question on the defensive side of the spectrum. But on the offensive side, that answer was provided more freely by the hosts in red and white, as Belfast crushed their way toward double digits — more specifically, 11 runs on 11 hits that included a massive seven-run fourth inning to build on their narrow 4-3 lead to coast toward an 11-3 victory over Andover on Tuesday.

“They played great defense tonight, and it was much better from our game at J-T on Monday,” Bulldogs coach Derek Kenyon said. “Nick was battling for us, and as a Senior, he really stepped it up for us. We used a lot of pitchers last night, so we needed to have him do that and he came through. We shouldn’t have a problem hitting the ball this year. These guys just love putting the ball in play, although we really didn’t do that the night before. We ran the bases well too, so they were both great sights to see.”

Ellison won the battle over Miller on the rubber for Belfast, as he twirled a complete game four-hit triumph behind seven strikeouts and five walks. At the plate, he was one of three different Bulldogs (1-1) that scored at least a pair of hits, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Garrett Miller chipped in with two hits himself, scoring twice while Matt Weaver added his two hits, including a double, and scored once.

On the other side, Andover (0-2) was led by Miller on the hill, who also recorded seven strikeouts to go with his four walks. At the plate, Jacob Wagner led the way with a pair of doubles, while Spencer Cook had a double himself.

Belfast will hit the road on Thursday, as they look to continue their momentum swing into Friendship with a 5 p.m. visit with the Golden Eagles. As for Andover, they head back home to open their home slate bright and early Saturday morning, hosting a 10 a.m. battle with the Cuba-Rushford Rebels.

Andover 003 00 – 3 4 2

Belfast 004 7X – 11 11 1

AND – Layton Miller (LP) (CG, 7K, 4BB), and Spencer Cook.

BEL – Nick Ellison (WP) (CG, 7K, 5BB), and Matt Weaver.

Genesee Valley 9, Cuba-Rushford 1

BELMONT — Right out of the gates on Tuesday, a fast start was built upon by the Rebels of Cuba-Rushford. After a 1-0 lead through the first inning, the offense went back to work once more, this time in an even bigger way, as they scored four more runs to branch out their lead to an insurmountable amount, as they went on to go past host Genesee Valley with a 9-1 victory to secure their season-opening victory.

“There were some jitters with it being our first game in two years. That’s understandable,” Jaguars coach Kevin Scott said. “Some of these kids haven’t touched a baseball since then, but they’ll come around. Pitching will be a challenge for us this year, with the pitch count being adjusted a little bit to accommodate the shortened schedule. But we’re playing ball, and at this point, it’s all you can really ask for.”

Cuba-Rushford’s (1-0) offense was on point all game, scoring nine runs on nine hits with a pair of Rebels leading the way with at least two at the plate, including Trent Chamberlain, who also picked up the win on the hill, as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and two runs scored. Chamberlain on defense managed to collect four strikeouts and seven walks in his triumph. Helping further the cause on offense, Caden Granger added two hits of his own, driving in a pair while scoring three runs.

On the flip side, Genesee Valley (0-1) saw Christian Tuttle earn the start on the hill, fanning two and walking four in his two innings. In relief, Riley Gordon (3BB) and Thai Norasethaporn (3BB) combined to deliver six more strikeouts. The Jaguars only garnered three hits, with Gordon and Tuttle each recording a double. Trent Scott had the other off a single. The shutout was erased in the bottom of the fourth by the hosts when Joe Ward collected an RBI off a sacrifice fly to the outfield.

Both teams are back in action Thursday night, as the Rebels head back home to host the Fillmore Eagles to open their home slate with a 5 p.m. first pitch, while the Jaguars hit the road to open their away slate with Hinsdale up first, also in a 5 p.m. battle.

Cuba-Rushford 140 011 2 – 9 9 0

Genesee Valley 000 100 0 – 1 3 1

C-R – Trent Chamberlain (WP) (4K, 7BB), Austin Pinney (7) (K), and Logan Lewis.

GV – Christian Tuttle (LP) (2K, 4BB), Riley Gordon (3) (3K, 3BB), Thai Norasethaporn (6) (3K, 3BB), and Thai Norasethaporn, Elden Aquila (6).

SOFTBALL

Bolivar-Richburg 11, Fillmore 3

FILLMORE — Combined with a big night from Trinidy Miller at the plate, and a dominant performance in the circle from Malayna Ayers, the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg could not be stopped when they hit the road for Fillmore to open their 2021 season, as they rolled their way toward victory by taking down Allegany County rival Fillmore by an 11-3 count on a wet Tuesday night over the road.

“First and foremost, B-R is a very good team with not a lot of weaknesses,” said Lady Eagles coach Jon Beardsley. “They hit the ball hard, played good defense and their pitcher was really effective. I think both teams did a pretty good job for their first game in almost every facet, but B-R just did them all better. They had five extra base hits in a game with a home run, and three balls that hit the top of the fence. I thought our outfielders had excellent games, and we woke up our bats with Lizzy’s big hit that spurred some excitement. But in the end, they came and took care of business, and I think both teams came away with something to build from.”

The Lady Wolverines (1-0) offense provided a solid showing in their first trip out, scratching 11 runs across off 12 total hits, starting their game with a 1-0 lead through the first three innings. With Fillmore maintaining distance behind them, the visitors kicked the tires on a big run through the fourth, scoring six huge runs led by Miller’s bat — an total outing consisting of a two-run home run and RBI-double.

While the offense continued the charge, Malayna Ayers paved the way on defense from within the circle, holding Fillmore (0-1) to six hits while striking out 11 Lady Eagles, walking two in the process to pick up the victory. Ayers, along with Madigan Harris helped the bats by recording a triple each. Gracie Zilker went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

As for the Lady Eagles, Lizzy Nugent helped get the team on the board in the bottom of the fifth, erasing a 7-0 shutout provided by the Lady Wolverines with her bases-clearing double to cut the deficit down to four at that point. She would finish with a 2-for-4 outing. Preslee Miller added a double. In the circle, Kirstin Frazier went the distance, handing out two chairs and walking just one.

Both teams are back on their home fields Thursday evening, with Bolivar-Richburg heading back home to Richburg to host the Lady Lions of Wellsville in a 5 p.m. battle, while Fillmore stands pat on the turf to welcome in Cuba-Rushford for a 7 p.m. first pitch under the lights.

Bolivar-Richburg 100 620 2 – 11 12 2

Fillmore 000 030 0 – 3 6 4

B-R – Malayna Ayers (WP) (CG, 11K, 2BB), and Madigan Harris.

FIL – Kirstin Frazier (LP) (CG, 2K, BB), and Kada Frazier.

Genesee Valley 19, Cuba-Rushford 6

CUBA — Both the Lady Jaguars and Lady Rebels exchanged a pair of big innings in the first three frames of play, Tuesday night. But in the back half of the game, Genesee Valley ran the table, as they scored the last 12 runs on an unanswered basis, including a massive 10-run seventh inning to pull away toward victory by a 19-6 count over Cuba-Rushford.

Base running proved to be key for both teams, but it was paramount for the Lady Jaguars (2-0) to secure their victory, as they registered just four hits on offense in all. Of those hits, Emera Aquila led the way with a 2-for-6 outing, collecting a double and scoring three runs. Grace Darrin added a single and scored four times, while Raygen Haggstrom had the team’s final hit on a single. In the circle, Ashley Burrows picked up the complete game four-hit triumph, fanning 10 and walking three to secure it.

For Cuba-Rushford (0-2), Hunter Jahnke led the bats with a pair of the team’s four hits, including a double and run scored. Tara Duvall and Riley Keller each had a hit and scored a run. On the rubber, Sydney Howard struck out two and walked three in her start for the Lady Rebels, who now hits the road for a 7 p.m. first pitch in Fillmore.

Genesee Valley will look to make it three in a row back on the road Saturday night, as they get set to face the Belfast Lady Bulldogs at 7 p.m. under the lights.

Genesee Valley 502 110 (10) – 19 4 1

Cuba-Rushford 015 000 0 – 6 4 0

GV – Ashley Burrows (WP) (CG, 10K, 3BB), and Savannah Werner.

C-R – Sydney Howard (LP) (2K, 3BB), Laney Murphy (2) (4K, 10BB), and Tara Duvall, Riley Keller (2).

GOLF

Wellsville 201, Fillmore 203

RUSHFORD — With two of Allegany County’s premier golf squads going head-to-head for the first of two meetings in the shortened season, Tuesday night proved to be a match worth the wait.

Battling through some light rain on the confines of Allegheny Hills in Rushford, the Lions and Eagles battled their way to the finish. Despite a medaling round from Fillmore’s Hayden Rust, it was Wellsville that had the upper hand by the slimmest of margins — two strokes to be exact, as they managed to take the 201-203 decision.

The Lions (2-0) were led by Aidan Hart at the top of the scorecard, as he drove for a team-high round of 44. Ethan Bailey helped further the cause with a round of 47. Lance Grantier added a 50, while Mason Parks provided a 60.

Parks shares the same last name as his father, who was also in attendance that day — that being prominent Fillmore girls basketball, and current Fillmore golf coach Tom Parks. The match signaled a father-son clash that the Eagles coach says was a lot of fun to be a part of, and to experience first hand.

“It was a neat experience to be able to compete against my son Mason,” he said. “I’ve unofficially competed against my daughter Maddie on the JV level in basketball and volleyball, and now to have this experience with him on the golf course, it was awesome and he did enough to help his team to victory. It was a great day for golf, and it was very evenly contested. Wellsville has a great group of players, and I was really happy with how well we shot to hang with them. But in the end of a two-stroke match, there’s not really a ton to be disappointed about.”

The Eagles (1-1) were led by Rust, who fired the medalist round of the day, garnering a 42. Dylan Valentine chipped in with a 50, while Owen Potter and Anderson Wiltsey rounded off the scorecard by tallying rounds of 55, and 56 respectively.

The Lions will have a quick turnaround back home at the Wellsville Country Club today, when they host Cuba-Rushford for a 4 p.m. battle. As for Fillmore, they will return to Allegheny Hills again on Thursday when they look to rebound by hosting Genesee Valley in a 4 p.m. clash of their own.