Saturday Roundup: Despite frigid temps, GV/Belfast prevails behind outstanding relief by Thomas to pull away in 8-3 win over Franklinville; Wellsville track performs complete sweep at John Reed Invite

BELFAST — The rain simply did not allow Genesee Valley/Belfast to pass through the first inning of last week’s matchup against Franklinville at the Rich Sullivan Complex in Belfast. By rule, when the game was officially postponed, the two teams would have to hit the rewind button back to the opening at-bats once again for a fresh slate of baseball in their next meet-up, which came Saturday evening.

The precipitation was traded in for a chilly night under the lights in Belfast, but despite the difficult conditions, all seven innings of baseball were completed between the two foes. Early on, the runs came left and right, with Franklinville and Genesee Valley/Belfast both sitting on level ground entering the back end of battle.

In the third inning, the hosts made a call to the mound to give Franklinville a new look. Enter Mason Thomas who, for the rest of the game, was simply unstoppable.

With a 3-3 tie to break, the Genesee Valley/Belfast bats fed off the momentum Thomas was able to provide during his five innings of sterling relief, as he completely shut down the Panthers bats by garnering the victory on the hill, fanning 11 and walking just one to aid the team in what was an 8-3 victory — the sixth of their first seven games thus far.

Both teams reached an early stalemate in the first two innings of play, with Genesee Valley/Belfast (7-1) responding to Franklinville’s early run in the top of the first, tripling it in their own opening at-bats to claim a 3-1 lead. The response would not go unanswered by the Panthers a short time later, as they fired right back a second inning punch of their own to tie the game at three with two big runs.

Entering the third inning, head coach Dennis Miles made a call to his bullpen, swapping out starting pitcher Ben Cater for Mason Thomas. At an instant, Thomas’ impact was felt, as the sophomore went on to slam the door shut on Franklinville with five straight shutout innings by handing out one strikeout after another.

That, all on the heels of a meteoric rise for the offense down the stretch, as the momentum was shifted to the plate to help produce five unanswered runs in the last three innings, jumping ahead for good with a two-run frame in the bottom of the fourth.

The Genesee Valley/Belfast offense finished with eight runs off seven hits, with six different hitters all recording at least a hit. Leading the bats was Ian McKenzie, who went 2-for-3. Ethan Davenport, Ryan Daciw, Nolan Hunter and Trent Hutchison had one hit each to add into the mix.

On the mound, Cater struck out three and walked one in his start before being relieved by Thomas in the third inning.

Up next, Genesee Valley/Belfast will look to keep their wheels spinning into Monday night, when they travel for a 5 p.m. first pitch at Canisteo-Greenwood.

Franklinville 120 000 0 – 3 8 2

Genesee Valley/Belfast 300 221 X – 8 7 1

FRA – Pat Lane (LP) (5K, 3BB), Brady Tatlow (6) (2K, BB) and Tatlow, Brandon McMillan (6)

GVB – Ben Cater (3K, BB), Mason Thomas (WP, 3) (11K, BB) and Damon Davis.

SOFTBALL

Hammondsport 23, Hinsdale 5 (F-5)

HINSDALE — The Hammondsport Lady Lakers were on fire behind some incredible special teams around the bases, along with six big hits to set the stage against host Hinsdale on Saturday, as they ran off immediately behind 17 straight runs in the first three innings of play to set the tone on what was a 23-5 road win after five innings of play.

The Lady Lakers started off red hot in their opening at-bats against Hinsdale (1-7), as they rattled off a massive seven-run frame to set the bar going forward for the Lady Bobcats. Along with some key hits, Hammondsport also used 20 walks and six errors to their advantage while working around the bases to come across the plate.

As for the hosts, they pieced together a five-run, four-hit display on offense, with Jen Tuttle, Karissa Keller, Caylee Barton and Kennedy Yehl all recording a hit.

The Lady Bobcats are back on the field Wednesday night, hosting Fillmore at 5 p.m.

Hammondsport 737 60 – 23 6 0

Hinsdale 003 11 – 5 4 6

HAM – Aimee Hurd (WP) (CG, 7K, 4BB) and K. Watson.

HIN – Jen Tuttle (LP) (6K, 14BB), Lily Bushnell (4) (3K, 6BB) and Jaylynn Wade.

BOYS TENNIS

Fillmore 5, Wellsville 0

HOUGHTON — Bright and early Saturday morning, the Eagles of Fillmore returned to the grind at Houghton University and without hesitation, recorded their fifth straight victory to open their campaign, as they brought out the brooms for a match sweep of the visiting Lions of Wellsville to claim the 5-0 victory.

The singles matches were propelled by a dominant first singles victory claimed by Isaiah Sisson, as he nearly completed a straight-set shutout of Wellsville’s Wheeler Dahlgren, finishing with a 6-1, 6-0 victory. Ezra Schilke countered with a strong start of his own, using the early momentum to place the finishing touches on what was a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Michael Bidzerkowny at second singles. Kallan Sanasith was awarded the third singles win by forfeit to complete the singles sweep for the hosts.

In doubles action, the first doubles team of Ezra Knapp and Carson Sanasith found all the grooves possible to continue Fillmore’s winning ways, recording a 6-2, 6-0 win over Wellsville’s duo of Liam Smith and Keenen O’Connor. The match win was capped off with a 6-3, 6-1 win by Brayden Walton and Levi Russell at second doubles over Jeremiah Pensyl and Brayden Ketchner.

"Isaiah Sisson had his best performance of the season. He served really well and finished points at the net. When he has those two tools working, he is really tough to beat. Ezra and Carson are really starting to gel together at first doubles as well. They really complement each other so well, and today was a big step forward for both of them.” said Eagles coach Randy Crouch.

The Lions will return to action back home Monday night, hosting Campbell-Savona at 5 p.m.

As for the Eagles, they will now go for their sixth straight win coming up on Tuesday, traveling to Bolivar-Richburg for a 5 p.m. contest.

Singles

1. Isaiah Sisson (FIL) def. Wheeler Dahlgren (WLSV), 6-1, 6-0.

2. Ezra Schilke (FIL) def. Michael Bidzerkowny (WLSV), 6-0, 6-3.

3. Kallan Sanasith (FIL) by for.

Doubles

1. Ezra Knapp/Carson Sanasith (FIL) def. Liam Smith/Keenen O’Connor (WLSV), 6-2, 6-0.

2. Brayden Walton/Levi Russell (FIL) def. Jeremiah Pensyl/Brayden Ketchner (WLSV), 6-3, 6-1.

TRACK

Wellsville boys, girls win big at Addison’s John Reed Invitational

ADDISON — The Wellsville Lions track team is destined for big things in the year 2025.

With a strong start to their campaign already under their belts, both the boys and girls squads keep their engines firing on all cylinders going into Saturday morning, witnessing numerous performers all record top five finishes — eight of them at the very top of their respective events, as they rolled straight towards a complete sweep of the John Reed Invitational in Addison.

The boys team was propelled by another dynamic three-victory performance from their senior star in the field, JJ Howard, as he once again claimed top honors across all three jumping events — the high, long and triple jumps, to set the stage for their 138-point first place overall finish. Xavier Scott, who will be joining Howard in another trip to the State meet at the end of the season, also claimed first place in the 110 hurdles, coupling the top finish with a second place 100 dash and 3rd place 200 dash finish, respectively.

Jack Davis had the other first place finish for the Lions in the 400 hurdles to pair alongside a second place finish in the pole vault and third place finish in the 110 hurdles.

Wellsville also collected two first place triumphs in the relay department, claiming gold in the 400 and 1600 relays.

Adding top finishes along the way for the boys was Collin Perkins, who had two second place finishes in the 800 sprint and 1600 run. Derek Coleman placed third in the discus. David Lamberson finished fourth in the 400 sprint, while Jace Densmore finished fifth in the triple jump to round off the individual performances.

For the Lady Lions, 10 different performers all recorded at least one Top-5 finish to catapult the team towards a first place finish of their own behind 105 points. Earning the gold for the Lady Lions was Talia O’Connor from the track, as she paired her second place 100 hurdles performance with a first place 400 hurdles victory.

From the field, Brooklyn Dahlgren rose to big heights with her win in the high jump. Kaylee Oswald was outstanding from the throwing pit, finishing first in the shot put and second in the discus.

Following up with additional secondary finishes for the Lady Lions were Caelyn Stevens (2nd, 200 dash; 4th, 400 sprint), Maddie Muurisepp (3rd, 100 hurdles), Piper Metro (3rd, high jump), Jaden Dunbar (3rd, pole vault), Makenna Cooke (3rd, discus; 4th, shot put), Addy Clark (4th, pole vault), Kylie Phelps (5th, triple jump) and Sarah Mattison (5th, discus).

The Lady Lions also collected a pair of fourth place relay finishes in the 400 and 3200, along with a fifth place 1600 relay finish.

Genesee Valley/Belfast also had a strong showing of their own in Addison, with the girls team placing second overall right behind the Lady Lions, with a stellar three-victory afternoon from Bayleigh Tallman guiding the way forward. Tallman went on to finish first in the 100 and 200 dashes, as well as from the field in the long jump. Behind her, many more secondary finishes flooded in from with the team’s 93-point performance, with Sophie Zillgitt recording three of them, finishing second in the high jump to pair alongside a third place 800 sprint and a fourth place long jump finish.

Madelynn Scott and Addisyn Ely each had two more top finishes to chip in, with Scott placing second in the 100 dash and fifth in the 200 dash, while Ely concluded in fourth in the 200 dash and fifth in the 400 sprint. Regina Dougherty had a second place finish in the 400 sprint, while Allyson Hazelton rounded off the individual finishes, placing third in the 400 hurdles.

The Genesee Valley/Belfast girls also collected third and fourth place finishes in the 400 and 1600 relays, respectively.

As for the boys team, Brayden Cooper grabbed a pair of first place finishes in the 100 and 200 dashes to aid Genesee Valley/Belfast in a fifth place finish with 48 total points. Right behind him, Callahan Tallman had a trio of finishes — two of which in second place, in the high and triple jumps, adding a fourth place finish in the long jump along the way. Noah Miller finished fourth in the 3200 run, while Wyatt Weaver placed fifth in the long jump.

The Fillmore Lady Eagles used a pair of first place finishes to kick-start their fifth place finish with 42 points, as Grace Walton and Jillian Beardsley medaled with winning times in the 800 sprint and 1500 run, respectively. Tenlee Miller and Paityn Worthington both had third place finishes to add, scoring them in the 400 sprint and long jump each, while Meyah Worthington finished fourth in the 100 dash.

On the boys side, Eli Strickland finished second in the Steeplechase and third in the 1600 run for Fillmore.

Bolivar-Richburg saw Raegan Giardini and Carmen Crowley lead the way with their top finishes, as Giardini placed second in the 800 run and third in the Steeplechase, while Crowley finished second in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump from the sand pit.

For a complete glimpse at all the results from the John Reed Invitational, you can follow the link here.