GV/Belfast sweeps Saturday matinee vs. Alfred-Almond as baseball posts combined no-hitter, softball ushers in bats for big offensive splash to remain undefeated

BELFAST — The Rich Sullivan Complex in Belfast was the place to see Genesee Valley/Belfast return to action on Saturday, as the Spring Break begins to officially wind down. But despite the long lay-off from action, the baseball and softball teams remained vigilant and on fire in the opening sequences of their campaign, both moving to 3-0 starts on the season with their victories over visiting Alfred-Almond.

On the baseball diamond, Genesee Valley/Belfast made the most of the opportunity in front of the them by cashing in on nine consecutive runs in the first three innings of play to set the tone against the Eagles, while Matt Cater and Fisher Herdman combined to hold the fort down flawlessly on the mound with a twirled no-hitter to collect the 11-1 win in six innings.

Genesee Valley/Belfast (3-0) scored 11 runs off six hits at the plate, fronted by a back-to-back sequence at the plate that was established by both Matt Cater and Ryan Daciw, as they both posted doubles to the outfield to set up an early 1-0 lead through the opening frame — a lead that soon transformed into an insurmountable advantage, with five runs in the second and three more in the third frames.

The double was one of two hits that Cater had, as he propelled his way to the top of the offense behind his three-RBI campaign.

While the advantage remained fully intact, the defense was highlighted by a stellar pitching duo beginning with Cater, who went the first five innings to collect the victory off 11 strikeouts and four walks. Herdman came in to close the door in the sixth inning behind two additional strikeouts and one walk before the hosts in black were able to force an early end to the contest with the 10-run eclipsing score immediately after in the bottom half of the stanza.

Alfred-Almond saw Garrett Freeland provide a solid outing of relief on the hill, handing out five chairs and walking two to captain the pitching staff.

Down the hill and to the softball field, the Genesee Valley/Belfast ladies picked up where they left off from their victory at Arkport-Canaseraga last weekend, overcoming a quick Alfred-Almond lead through the first two innings by posting 13 unanswered runs to pinball their way into the driver’s seat and towards their third straight victory by a 15-6 count.

“Alfred-Almond hit the ball well today, their top of the lineup really put the ball in play,” GV/Belfast coach Mark Sullivan said. “We made some good defensive plays to get us out of a jam in the first inning. Not playing in nine days can hurt, but it took them a little bit to settle down and get back to what we can do. We can smack the ball around, and if we can continue to keep doing that, we’ll be a tough out each game.”

The Genesee Valley/Belfast (3-0) ladies strung together an exceptional outing of offense, posting 15 runs off 13 hits at the plate, with three different hitters, Jenna Hill, Morgan Yackeren and Whitney Young each recording two to lead the way. While the offense continued to construct their foundation at the plate, Hannah Southwick-Powers kept the Lady Eagles frozen after they broke the ice, tossing three consecutive shutout innings after they relinquished the lead from the visitors to build a multitude of momentum for the offense once more.

With a 5-1 lead in hand after three complete, the hosts in black and gray did even more damage with an eight-run bottom of the fourth inning, led by a massive two-run double to the outfield by Southwick-Powers that ultimately aided in more cushioning to their advantage for the remainder of the contest. Adding more assistance at the plate was Ava Aaronson, who posted a double of her own.

In the circle, Southwick-Powers collected the victory across the first six innings of action, fanning nine and walking four. In the seventh, Kate Calanni helped slam the door shut with a three-strikeout, three-walk tenure of relief.

For Alfred-Almond, Grace Harris recorded three of the team's eight hits to lead the way, while Alexis Kuhn and Taylor Flaitz each had two.

Both Genesee Valley/Belfast teams will return to action on Tuesday with a 5 p.m. first pitch at the same exact place, as they prepare to host Friendship/Scio in the Jungle down the road in Belmont.

Baseball

Alfred-Almond 000 010 – 1 0 2

Genesee Valley/Belfast 153 011 – 11 6 1

A-A – Jonas Lockner (LP) (3K, 5BB), Kanye Cumberbatch (3) (K, 5BB), Garrett Freeland (5) (5K, 2BB), Talan Holley (6) and Nathan Munson.

GVB – Matt Cater (WP) (11K, 4BB), Fisher Herdman (6) (2K, BB) and Evan Turybury.

Softball

Alfred-Almond 100 030 2 – 6 8

Genesee Valley/Belfast 005 820 X – 15 13

A-A – Ella Dusinberre (LP) (K, 9BB), Olivia Flaitz (6) and Alexis Kuhn.

GVB – Hannah Southwick-Powers (WP) (9K, 4BB), Kate Calanni (7) (3K, 3BB) and Jenna Hill.