Wednesday Roundup: Wiltsey, Cockle fire season-low rounds for Eagles to remain unbeaten in win at Wellsville; Hornell baseball evades late stage push by Lions, hang onto 5-4 win
WELLSVILLE — Although the weather outdoors provided some chilly temperatures along with a slight breeze, both Fillmore and Wellsville braved the elements on Wednesday to do battle at the Wellsville Country Club.
But despite it all, the visiting Eagles put together one of their best performances of the season so far, as they recorded a combined round of 196 led by Reid Cockle and Anderson Wiltsey to remain undefeated with their fourth straight win by a 196-253 count.
“We finally had a semi-decent day to play golf and the guys took some great scores,” said Eagles coach Tom Parks. “Each of our four players who scored in the match shot a season-low score tonight. I’m happy with how we’re shooting right now. Hopefully we can keep it going.”
Fillmore (4-0) was paced by Wiltsey at the top of their scorecard, as he fired the match-low round of 43 to earn medalist honors at the end of the night. Following right behind him was Cockle, who tallied his round of 44. Jack Cool pitched into the efforts with a 51, while Aiden Freeman and Sam Cool rounded off with scores of 58 and 59, respectively.
For the Lions (3-4), Fletcher Kaye navigated his way to the top of the scorecard with the team’s best round, firing a team-low round of 51. Jackson Shoughrue and Payson Root each recorded rounds of 65, while Blake Kalkhof and Noah Brogan finished off the performances with a 72, and 74 each.
Both teams are back on the links today in a pair of 4 p.m. tee times, as Fillmore heads back home to Allegheny Hills in Rushford to host Genesee Valley/Belfast, while Wellsville welcomes in Cuba-Rushford for a visit back at the Wellsville Country Club.
BASEBALL
Hornell 5, Wellsville 4
HORNELL — On Wednesday, the Maple City featured the first of two final renditions this year of the area’s most storied rivalry: Wellsville and Hornell, this time, on the baseball diamond.
Like their meetings this past winter on the basketball court, the Lions and Red Raiders fought tooth and nail to the very end. After an electric start from the hosts in red to grab the game’s first big advantage, Wellsville fought their way back with a bundle of pressure in the late stages, trimming their deficit to as little as one.
But that would be as close as the Lions would get, as Hornell was able to shut the door in the top of the seventh after recording a quick inning to leave a potential game-tying run aboard, sealing up the victory behind a successful complete game tossed by Gates Miller in their 5-4 decision at Maple City Park to take the first game of two that the foes will have this season.
“Karson (Grover) pitched well enough for us to have a chance to win,” Lions coach Tom Delahunt said. “We had just the one bad inning where Hornell scored all five of their runs. We had some errors that contributed towards that, and that gave them a couple of the runs. That inning made us fall apart. We didn’t have enough production at the plate, and we need to be better with those, especially when it comes to those timely situations when we need them.”
The Lions (5-5) were the first to grab the lead right out of the gate behind a sacrifice fly to the outfield from Ty Vogel, plating Cody Costello, who led off the game with a triple. The scoring would freeze in place until the bottom of the second when Hornell countered with all five of their runs, using special teams play on the bases to their utmost advantage to tilt the balance of power in their favor for the remainder of the battle.
Despite it, Wellsville was able to claw their way back to within a stone’s throw of the Red Raiders, cutting their deficit down to a pair with two runs in the top of the third to counter Hornell’s big inning, paced by special teams play of their own after an errant throw over to first base left play.
With Karson Grover and Gates Miller continuing to deal for their respective teams on the rubber, the heat against Hornell would keep climbing in the top of the sixth when Wellsville was presented with their best chance to spring back in front, closing the gap to a single run after an RBI triple from Aidan Riley scored Vogel, who led off the frame with a double.
But the Red Raiders defense was able to keep the Lions away from the plate one last time, as they recorded the final out of the inning at home on a steal by Aidan Riley.
From that point forward, the Red Raiders defense was able to keep Wellsville frozen on offense in the top of the seventh with one final quick inning to wrap up the win.
Both teams scored five hits apiece on the attack, with Wyatt Argentieri leading Hornell with a triple. Gennaro Picco and Andrew Davis each chipped in with a hit, while Miller put a bow on his complete game win with five strikeouts and two walks on the rubber.
For Wellsville, Grover also went the distance, fanning one and walking four.
The Lions will look to regroup back over the road on Friday, as they prepare for a tough battle against one of Section V’s elites — the Livonia Bulldogs, in a 5 p.m. first pitch.
Wellsville 102 001 0 – 4 5 2
Hornell 050 000 X – 5 5 2
WLSV – Karson Grover (LP) (CG, K, 4BB) and Alex Green, Trenton Green (3).
HHS – Gates Miller (WP) (CG, 5K, 2BB) and Jacob Ponticello.
Andover/Whitesville 17, Friendship/Scio 0 (F-5)
ANDOVER — Layton Miller was firing on all cylinders for Andover/Whitesville from the beginning until the very end, as the ace held Friendship/Scio in check with a near-immaculate performance on the mound, holding the opposition to just a single hit while the offense accounted for at least a pair of runs across all four innings to string together a 17-0 shutout in Andover on Wednesday.
“This was great for our guys on offense to build off of four solid innings against Fillmore on Monday,” said Andover/Whitesville co-coach Jake Bannerman. “To see our guys have confidence at the plate, and knowing we had our ace Layton on the mound, it made the guys relax a bit. Colton (Calladine) and Layton did a great job mixing pitches and working quickly during their time out there. I’m very proud of our young men tonight.”
While Miller was finding his rhythm across all strides on the hill, the Andover/Whitesville (2-4) offense fed off the big burst of momentum in an even bigger way, as they accounted for at least a pair of runs across all four innings until they were able to close up shop after the fifth, beginning with a three-run first paced by their special teams play around the bases.
After adding two more runs in the second, the hammer was brought down to close out the night, as they wrapped up the scoring with two consecutive six-run stanzas that allowed them to push their advantage out insurmountably, garnering a rebounding victory back home along the way.
Miller was able to hold Friendship/Scio (2-7) to just one hit — a lead-off single by Tyler Nickerson in the top of the fifth inning, as he finished off his complete game one-hit gem with nine strikeouts and two walks. At the plate, Brody Carlin had a humongous night, going 2-for-4 with a triple, double and four RBI. CJ Estep had two hits to add, while Brody Vance made an impeccable Varsity debut behind two hits of his own, including a double and RBI.
On the mound for Friendship/Scio, Cooper Greenman and Landon Arnold each recorded two strikeouts and four walks.
Andover/Whitesville will look to keep the ball rolling into the weekend, as they return to the field in Andover for a 1 p.m. first pitch against Alfred-Almond on Saturday, while Friendship/Scio heads back home for a 5 p.m. contest against Cuba-Rushford on Tuesday in Friendship.
Friendship/Scio 000 00 – 0 1 5
Andover/Whitesville 326 6X – 17 8 1
F/S – Cooper Greenman (LP) (2K, 4BB), Landon Arnold (2) (2K, 4BB) and Arnold, Greenman (2).
A/W – Layton Miller (WP) (CG, 9K, 2BB) and Colton Calladine.
SOFTBALL
Friendship/Scio 6, Andover/Whitesville 0
WHITESVILLE — While the baseball game took center stage in Andover, across the way through Independence and into Whitesville, both Andover/Whitesville and Friendship/Scio met on the softball field to settle the score once again, Wednesday night.
All that was needed was as strong of a start imaginable to kick off the festivities. Luckily for Friendship/Scio, Nevaeh Ross had that card to play in her back pocket, as she struck out the first six Andover/Whitesville batters she faced in the first two innings of play. All while the offense was beginning to kick into gear themselves, posting a three-run third inning to create enough separation to pull forward and towards a 6-0 shutout on the road.
The scoring began with the assistance of Kate Lamberson right in the opening at-bats of the game for Friendship/Scio (8-3), as she posted a quick fielder’s choice into the infield to allow Nevaeh Ross to come home and plate the first run, breaking the ice on their lead.
After Ross collected her fourth, fifth and sixth strikeouts in the second inning, the offense resumed construction on their foundation in the third, where they branched the advantage even further, led by some key base-running to score three runs for a 4-0 lead on Andover/Whitesville (0-6).
The scoring was finished off in the next two innings for the visitors in black and gold, posting a run in each the fourth and fifth, the latter of which off a big RBI double off the bat of Kiara Grover — one of two hits she had in the contest. In all, Friendship/Scio accounted for six runs off 10 hits at the plate, with Morghyn Ross paving the way towards a 3-for-4 outing, posting a triple and RBI. Nevaeh Ross had two hits to add.
On the mound, Nevaeh Ross was lights out, twirling a one-hit gem behind 17 strikeouts.
For Andover/Whitesville, Makaila Brewster fanned five and walked four in her complete game inside the circle. On offense, Olivia Waters broke up Ross’ no-hit bid with a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning to account for the team’s lone hit. Up next, Andover/Whitesville will mark their return to Whitesville for a 5 p.m. first pitch against Bolivar-Richburg this evening.
Friendship/Scio will now take a week away from action, as they resume play next Wednesday night back home in Friendship with a 5 p.m. battle against Cuba-Rushford.
Friendship/Scio 103 110 0 – 6 10 1
Andover/Whitesville 000 000 0 – 0 1 3
F/S – Nevaeh Ross (WP) (CG, 17K) and Morghyn Ross.
A/W – Makaila Brewster (LP) (CG, 5K, 4BB) and Gabbi Hall.
BOYS TENNIS
Fillmore 5, Bolivar-Richburg 0
BOLIVAR — The Eagles of Fillmore were once again at the top of their game on the court Wednesday night, as they swept the field with all five victories across the board against host Bolivar-Richburg to remain undefeated on the young season with a 5-0 match victory in Bolivar.
Eben Schilke, Isaiah Sisson and Marcus Wolfer all led the charge forward in Fillmore’s sweep of all three singles matches, with Schilke coming away triumphant at first singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Bolivar-Richburg’s Anthony Densmore. Following was a 6-0, 6-0 straight-set shutout from Isaiah Sisson at second singles, soaring to victory over Ben Kisel, while Wolfer rounded off with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Guinevere Coats at third singles.
The Eagles would put a bow on the match win with two more victories in the doubles department, as both tandems recorded 6-0, 6-1 wins in their respective matches, with Joe Derck and Jack Boon taking the win at first doubles, while Carson Sanasith and Ezra Knapp collected their triumph at second doubles.
Both teams make their return to the court tonight in a pair of 5 p.m. starts, as Fillmore returns home to Houghton University to welcome in Cuba-Rushford for doubleheader action, while Bolivar-Richburg hits the road for a visit to Genesee Valley/Belfast.
Singles
1. Eben Schilke (FIL) def. Anthony Densmore (B-R), 6-0, 6-1.
2. Isaiah Sisson (FIL) def. Ben Kisel (B-R), 6-0, 6-0.
3. Marcus Wolfer (FIL) def. Guinevere Coats (B-R), 6-2, 6-1.
Doubles
1. Joe Derck/Jack Boon (FIL) def. Zane Pangburn/Jamie Werner (B-R), 6-0, 6-1.
2. Carson Sanasith/Ezra Knapp (FIL) def. Nebula Wilson-Smith/Alex Parker (B-R), 6-0, 6-1.
Houghton Academy 3, Cuba-Rushford 0
HOUGHTON — Just two matches took center stage between Cuba-Rushford and Houghton Academy on Wednesday at Houghton University. On top of a first doubles forfeit win for the host Panthers, they would garner two singles triumphs along the way to record what was a 3-0 shutout over the Rebels.
Caleb Hilsher and Sam Winkens paved the way for Houghton Academy in the singles department, as they recorded 6-0, 6-0 shutouts at first and second singles respectively, defeating Cuba-Rushford’s Tyler Findlay and Jadyn Little.
Down at first doubles, the first doubles team of James Adenuga and Jack Qi were awarded a forfeit win to complete the match victory.
Houghton Academy will hit the road on Friday for a 5 p.m. visit to Bolivar-Richburg, while Cuba-Rushford makes a return trip back to Houghton University to face the host Eagles of Fillmore in doubleheader action, also beginning at 5 p.m.
Genesee Valley/Belfast at Andover/Whitesville - No report.
