Monday Roundup: Lady Lions win season debut in 15-0 Saturday shutout of C-R, rain suspends Monday battle with Hammondsport in 2nd
WELLSVILLE — Before they hit the road for the first time this season, the Lady Lions of Wellsville wanted to make sure they start their first season in nearly two years off on the biggest of footsteps.
After a dominant Saturday performance on the confines of historic Tullar Field over Cuba-Rushford, Wellsville looked to carry that momentum into a brand new week back on their turf with the Lady Lakers of Hammondsport in town for a visit on what was a gloomy Monday evening. In the beginning stages of their battle, the Lady Lions found themselves on top after an enormous seven-run first inning.
But Mother Nature on the other hand, had other plans in store for the rest of the evening, as a consistent rain shower forced play to be suspended, and saved for another day, when the action picks back up at a late date with Wellsville holding the 7-4 lead over Hammondsport heading into the top of the second inning.
Prior to Monday’s battle, the Lady Lions of Wellsville were able to get their first game in the books on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at Tullar Field, as they powered up a strong start to their game, and never looked back, as they rolled to their first win of the season behind a 15-0 five-inning shutout of the Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford.
For the Lady Lions, and like the rest of the baseball and softball teams across Allegany County, it was their first game since Sectionals of the 2019 season, with last season being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lady Lions head coach Matt Burke said it was a fantastic feeling to be able to get back on the field, and coach his team.
“It was very exciting to be able to coach a softball game. Our players had a lot of energy, and they certainly were happy to be on the field.” the longtime Wellsville coach said.
Multiple Lady Lions (1-0) garnered at least two hits on offense, and on defense, it was the Mackenzie Cowburn and Marissa Ordiway in the circle, as they combined to twirl a two-hit gem of the Lady Rebels, with Cowburn striking out 10 while Ordiway struck out the side in the top of the fifth to put a bow on the blanking.
On offense, Maddie Spicer, Lauren Cicirello and Emma Dunaway all collected two hits within Wellsville’s 12-hit effort at the plate. Helping further the cause more was Matti Burke, whose lone hit is the first home run in Allegany County this season — a lead-off solo bomb to branch the team’s lead out even more in the bottom of the fifth, ultimately forcing the 15-run rule in the end.
Along with her efforts in the circle, Cowburn was the fourth and final Lady Lion to record at least a pair of hits, chipping in hers that included a double. Marley Adams pitched in with an RBI triple back inside the team’s four-run third inning.
On the other side, the Lady Rebels (0-1) scored just two hits, with Taylor Searle and Hunter Jahnke each recording a single.
The Lady Lions will now hit the road Thursday night to open their road slate with a trip to Richburg to visit the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg in a 5 p.m. first pitch. As for Cuba-Rushford, they return home to open their home schedule with Genesee Valley in town for a 5 p.m. first pitch of their own, tonight if weather permits.
SATURDAY
Cuba-Rushford 000 00 – 0 2 2
Wellsville 404 43 – 15 12 0
C-R – Sydney Howard (LP) (CG, 2K, 9BB), and Tara Duvall.
WLSV – Mackenzie Cowburn (WP) (10K), Marissa Ordiway (5) (3K), and Matti Burke.
Belfast 16, Jasper-Troupsburg 0 (F-5)
BELFAST — On day one of the season for the Lady Bulldogs of Belfast, Emma Sullivan was the first pitcher to record a no-hitter, as the senior kept visiting Jasper-Troupsburg at bay all game long while the offense capitalized on all fronts to fire up what was a 15-0 shutout of the Lady Wildcats in five innings.
“I thought the girls, despite the rain, did well,” said Lady Bulldogs coach Mark Sullivan. “Emma hit her spots really well, mixed up her pitches really well. It helps when you get that early lead right off the bat. It takes the pressure off of her and everyone else. Mary (Hamer) was our big hitter today, and for her first game on the Varsity level, it was impressive. It’s great to get that first win, and we haven’t played much outside given the circumstances, but I was happy to see they adjusted well to it.”
Despite the avalanche of runs Belfast (1-0) was able to scratch across the plate, the Lady Bulldogs scored just five hits at the plate with Hamer leading the way with a near-perfect 3-for-4 outing at the plate. Casandra Guilford added a double along the way to help the offense.
Sullivan led the charge inside the circle for the hosts in red and black, scoring a nine-strikeout effort to cap off the no-hit performance.
As for their return, like everyone else in the County, Sullivan said that the feeling to get back outside was exciting despite the conditions.
“It's really nice to finally get back outside,” he said. “It was drizzling and wet, but it wasn't cold out. The kids were into it a lot tonight, and they were excited, and so wasn't J-T. To play a game in a real setting. For me, this was great to get back outside and coach again too.”
Belfast will hit the road for a quick turnaround tonight, as they prepare for a 6 p.m. visit to Andover if the weather permits.
Jasper-Troupsburg 000 00 – 0 0 5
Belfast 307 6X – 16 5 1
J-T – Kayla Atherton (LP) (CG, 3K, 9BB), and Emma Flint.
BEL – Emma Sullivan (WP) (CG, 9K), and Harley Proctor.
BASEBALL
Jasper-Troupsburg 15, Belfast 10
JASPER — 25 runs combined were scored when Belfast and Jasper-Troupsburg met for their first clash of the season, Monday night in the rain. Despite the conditions, the Bulldogs and Wildcats were able to finish off a contest that started off with a back-and-forth battle, but then the big innings would come a short time later.
In the end, the hosts would have that final card to deal. After Belfast scored a massive fourth inning, Jasper-Troupsburg came right back with a massive right hook — an 11-run bottom of the fifth inning that allowed them to erase their deficit and swipe the lead away for good, finishing off a wild 15-10 shootout with Belfast.
Both teams gathered nine hits on offense, but for the Bulldogs (0-1), it was Carter Stout that led the way with an immaculate 4-for-4 outing at the plate, gathering a double and three runs scored. Stephen Struckmann added two hits of his own including a double, and scored once.
Belfast returns home for a quick turnaround under the lights at the Rich Sullivan Complex tonight, if weather permits, as they play host to the Panthers of Andover in a 7 p.m. battle.
Belfast 102 7 0 0 – 10 9 5
Jasper-Troupsburg 110 2(11) X – 15 9 2
Avoca/Prattsburgh 12, Andover 1
AVOCA — The debut for Avoca and Prattsburgh’s first season as a combined unit on the diamond was placed on hold after COVID-19 ravaged the 2020 Spring season, Avoca/Prattsburgh made sure they made a big step forward on Monday, as they rolled their way toward victory in Avoca over visiting Andover, taking the 12-1 dominant decision over the Panthers.
The Panthers collected just two hits in all on offense, with Spencer Cook recording a double while Layton Miller added the last off a single. For Avoca/Prattsburgh, Henry DeVoe led the way with a 3-for-3 outing, charging his bat with a three-run jack to collect a four RBI evening.
A complete box score was not made available upon publication.
Andover (0-1) will have a quick turnaround back on the road tonight, as they hop on the bus to pay a visit to Belfast for a 7 p.m. first pitch, if weather permits.
GOLF
Wellsville 182, Hinsdale 294
WELLSVILLE — In the rain at the Wellsville Country Club, the Lions were able to navigate their way to a dominant season-opening start on the links, as they hosted visiting Hinsdale and came away victorious with a solid 182-294 victory over the Bobcats, Monday evening in their first match in nearly two years due to COVID-19.
“I didn’t know what to expect because we’ve had a couple years away,” said Lions coach Brian Meyers. “Ethan’s (Bailey) just a ninth grader and he’s going to have the chance to become a really good golfer for us. I feel glad to get back out on the golf course again. It’s been a long time, and I’ve been looking forward to spending time with these guys. I haven’t seen them play much since the last time we’ve gotten together as a team.”
All four golfers for the Lions (1-0) scored rounds in the 40s to lead the way, with Ethan Bailey earning the medalist round of the match, carding a team-leading round of 42. Lance Grantier followed closely behind with a round of 44. Aidan Hart chipped in with a 47, while Mason Parks rounded off with a 49.
Hinsdale (0-1) was led by a round of 68 provided by Parker Keenan.
Wellsville will hit the road for Allegheny Hills in Rushford today, if weather cooperates, as they prepare to take on the Fillmore Eagles in a scheduled 4 p.m. match.
Fillmore 210, Bolivar-Richburg 251
BOLIVAR — At the Bolivar Golf Club on Monday, defending Sectional champion Fillmore from two seasons ago started their defense on the right foot, as they rolled to a 210-251 victory over the host Wolverines to start their 2021 season on a good note behind a medalist round of 42 from senior Hayden Rust.
“It was really great to be back after the lay-off last year,” Eagles coach Tom Parks said. “To get out there and finally have the chance to play, even though the weather was garbage, it was great. We’re used to it this time of year, and luckily, we brought the clubs out and swung well to earn this win.”
Behind Rust on the Fillmore (1-0) scorecard was Dylan Valentine, who provided a round of 51. Owen Potter chipped in a round of 55, while Anderson Wiltsey finished off with a 60 for the Eagles. On the other side, the Wolverines (0-1) were led by a team-high round of 55 from Garrett Shields. Ryan Greeson added a 60. Brennan Gilliland provided a 63, while Parker Worth had a 73.
Fillmore will face Wellsville at their new golf home today, if weather permits, as they face the Lions at 4 p.m. on the grounds of Allegheny Hills in Rushford. As for Bolivar-Richburg, they will travel to the Ischua Valley Country Club to face the Hinsdale Bobcats in a 4 p.m. match of their own on Thursday.
Cuba-Rushford 235, Genesee Valley 326
RUSHFORD — For the first time at Allegheny Hills in over a year, golf finally had its day. On Monday, despite some moist conditions on the playing grounds, visiting Genesee Valley and host Cuba-Rushford teed off to open their respective seasons on the links.
When it was all said and done, it was Ethan Rix that provided the match’s medaling round for the host Rebels, as he fired for a round of 51 to lead the pack, helping Cuba-Rushford earn the 1-0 start to their season with a 235-326 win over the Jaguars.
Following behind Rix on the Rebels scorecard was Landon Wight, who was not far back from Rix, firing a round of 55 himself. Zack Eddy chipped in with a round of 64, while Caden Granger rounded off with a 65. For the Jaguars (0-1), Ashley McRae led the way with a team-leading round of 70. Larry Geffers tallied an 83. Dakota Hemphill pitched in an 85, while Zack Davis had an 88.
Both teams will take part in two different matches all to be held right back at Allegheny Hills at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, when the Rebels play host to Wellsville, and Genesee Valley continues their road swing with Fillmore hosting their first official match at their new home.
