Friday Roundup: B-R softball stands tall against C-G/J-T, downed by Keshequa in title game of home Pink Out Tournament; Wolverines baseball outlasts tough challenge from Cameron County

[PHOTO PROVIDED]

RICHBURG — The color was pink.

It was the shade of color that surrounded Stan Harris Field in full force on Friday in support of breast cancer awareness, as Avoca-Prattsburgh, Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg, Keshequa and the host Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg all converged on both softball fields in Richburg all through the night to partake in Pink Out Tournament battle.

On tap for the Lady Wolverines to start was a first round battle with Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg, a battle that saw almost everything from all angles shine ever so brightly in the light. From the bats to a dynamic outing from Kylee Whiting, and beyond to the defense behind her, Bolivar-Richburg ensured their anchoring of a championship game vacancy in five innings, rolling towards a 15-0 victory.

The Lady Wolverines scored 13 of their 15 runs all in the first three innings of play to set the tone immediately, beginning with a two-run opening stand that saw Rylee Whiting help commence the scoring with an RBI double — one of two massive hits she collected through the contest. Then after another quick frame of defense, the bats picked right up where they left off and delivered a second inning knockout punch with seven more runs that was propelled by a two-run double from Jayna Thomas.

Thomas was one of six different Lady Wolverines to all post at least a pair of hits on offense. Leading the way was Cassidy Stives and Sommer Beckwith, each posting three hits, with the latter of the pair blasting a game-ending two-run double in the bottom of the fifth to finish off the victory. Rylee Whiting concluded with two hits, with the last being a two-run homer in the third inning.

Kylee Whiting and Sydney Faulkner each posted two hits, with Faulkner lining two doubles. On the mound, the win belonged to Kylee Whiting, holding Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg to just one hit — a Bristol Butler single, while issuing 10 strikeouts.

After an intermission between games that saw plenty of Cha-Cha sliding and Cotton-Eyed Joe-ing in front of the home crowd from the Lady Wolverines, they would take the field again to settle the score with Keshequa, led by first-year head coach and Bolivar-Richburg grad Raegan Herne, in both programs’ first encounter since the Class C3 Semifinal round back in 2022.

Just like a mirroring image of that same clash, Keshequa and Bolivar-Richburg kept the close quarters pace of the game from beginning to end, with the largest lead held by either side standing at four runs. Despite falling behind, the Lady Wolverines never gave in, as they served up a late seventh inning rally to inch back within reach of Keshequa.

But when the final out was recorded, Keshequa would stand tall after a ginormous three-run fifth inning wound up making all the difference, as they became Pink Out Tournament champions in Herne’s return to her old stomping grounds, as they warded off Bolivar-Richburg to put the finishing touches on a 6-4 victory.

Herne says that the victory over her alma mater was a pretty special moment to behold. One that she absolutely wanted to savor.

“Someone asked me if it felt good to beat my home team, and I said that if I wanted to be honest, absolutely,” she said. “I knew that they were going to be bringing some good competition. Bolivar always brings the energy and hype, so I was excited for the girls to have to play against a well-coached and established team. We have an eighth-grade pitcher making her Varsity debut this year and she’s done great. The seniors have done a great job taking on their role as captains and stepping out of their comfort zone to help lead. We’ve had a few unfortunate losses, but we have played great this week. We are really focusing on having timely hits, playing with grit and resilience. I have seen a switch in this team and I could not be prouder.”

In order to capture that full circle feeling at the end of the night, Keshequa would have to navigate an early two-inning stretch where only a single hit was recorded between both teams, as Ryley Benner and Bolivar-Richburg’s Rylee Whiting were at the top of their games from within their command centers in the circle, leaving multiple runners on base in the process to keep the offenses at bay.

The ice would receive its first crack by Keshequa in the top of the third behind a display of small ball. With a pair of runners working their way into scoring position, Kelsey Davis delivered the team’s first RBI into the infield to plate the runner from third. But it was a lead that did not elapse very long however, as the Lady Wolverines (8-8) came right back and tied the game on Whiting’s RBI single straight up the middle to score Jayna Thomas.

Each team would keep the back-and-forth trend going into the fourth inning when Keshequa assumed control of the advantage again, doubling their lead with a run from Emma Jo Pierce behind some key baserunning. The momentum would remain with the visitors after leaving a runner stranded on base with two consecutive outs to close the fourth inning, transitioning it to the fifth where the championship game would reach its breaking point.

Keshequa found their groove at the plate to take the night’s largest lead, generating a three-run stanza headlined by an RBI double off the bat of Davis, and then, a two-out, solo homer off the bat of Libby Benner to push Keshequa over the top and towards what was a 5-1 lead of the Lady Wolverines.

Bolivar-Richburg would do everything they could to get back to within arms reach of Keshequa, cutting away at the deficit with a Cassidy Stives RBI single in the fifth before a scoreless sixth inning helped set the dinner table for a thrilling finish in the game’s final act. In the top of the seventh, with the Lady Wolverines beginning to close in, a gargantuan piece of insurance was garnered by Keshequa off special teams to branch the advantage to four.

In their counterattack, the Lady Wolverines came right back with a two-run jab stemming off back-to-back RBIs off the bats of Danika Saunders and Sommer Beckwith to close the gap to a pair of runs with two outs. But on the final at-bat, Keshequa would secure the pop-out in the infield to end Bolivar-Richburg’s last stand and secure the tournament crown.

Even though there were some nerves that became restless at times, it wound up serving as that special Kodak Moment that Herne will not forget any time soon. Especially with her former coaches, Stan Harris and Tom Wight both in attendance watching the action unravel right before them.

“Personally, the nerves were palpable because some of my old coaches like Mr. Wight and Mr. Harris came out to watch, casting a shadow of expectation that I could never live up to,” she said. “The same feelings of being a player and wanting to make them proud, and let them know all the time they put into building me up as a player and a person was something I never took for granted. The weight of their legacy was a reminder to me of the standards they had set.”

The former Lady Wolverine added on the atmosphere surrounding the field during the team’s win, along with her hometown community from within it that came out to support, simply putting that Bolivar and Richburg aren’t just ordinary places, it’s been her support system.

It’s home.

“The familiar sights of loyal fans in their usual spots, unchanged after a decade, stirred something deep within me. Bolivar isn’t just a place, it’s a beacon of community spirit, a sanctuary of unwavering support unlike any other. Words fail to capture the depth of those emotions,” Herne said. “Retuning to Bolivar, even in different colors, was a testament to the enduring bond nurtured with this remarkable community. Their open arms, their acceptance, it filled me with overwhelming emotion and gratitude. Bolivar isn’t just a place I left behind, it’s a home that welcomes me back time and time again with love and pride.”

Keshequa finished the game with six runs off five hits to propel their offense, while the Lady Wolverines posted their four runs off nine hits. Leading the hosts was Rylee Whiting with three hits, while Jayna Thomas and Cassidy Stives each had two. In the circle, Whiting went all seven to toss a five-hitter consisting of 11 strikeouts and four walks.

The Lady Wolverines will look to climb back above .500 on the season with a Tuesday night visit from red hot Friendship/Scio in a 5 p.m. commencement. As for Keshequa, they head back home to the Rymer Complex to host Class B superpower Bath-Haverling in a 4:30 p.m. first pitch on Monday.

First Round

C-G/J-T 000 00 – 0 1 3

Bolivar-Richburg 274 02 – 15 17 0

CGJT – Harper Byrd (LP) (CG, K, BB) and Amylia Stewart.

B-R – Kylee Whiting (WP) (CG, 10K) and Sydney Faulkner.

Championship

Keshequa 001 130 1 – 6 5 0

Bolivar-Richburg 001 010 2 – 4 9 3

KES – Ryley Benner (WP) (CG, 3K, 2BB) and Isabella Hugi.

B-R – Rylee Whiting (LP) (CG, 11K, 4BB) and Sydney Faulkner.

Genesee Valley/Belfast 16, Lima Christian 1 (F-5)

BELFAST — While Hannah Southwick-Powers remained in complete command of her game, the Genesee Valley/Belfast offense warmed up and then hit every stride possible. After a blank sheet across the first inning of play, the bats became engulfed by triggering an early 8-0 lead against visiting Lima Christian that became the team’s tone-setting moment to set up what was a 16-1 home win at the Rich Sullivan Complex on Friday.

Genesee Valley/Belfast (9-3) mirrored their 16-1 victory from just 24 hours ago over the road in Hammondsport, as they used another strong offensive effort to set the tone, scoring their runs off 13 hits at the plate. Amongst them was Southwick-Powers, who posed as a powerful dual threat for the hosts in black and gray, going 4-for-4 with two triples. Madison Tarar posted two doubles, while Morgan Yackeren and Cassidy Hand each had two hits of their own.

The hammer was brought down right away after both teams traded a scoreless first outing at the plate, as Genesee Valley/Belfast hit the jackpot with a massive eight-run bottom of the second to garner an advantage they would never lose going forward, adding to it with eight more of the game’s final nine runs to officially secure the victory for good after five innings.

In the circle, Southwick-Powers went the first four innings to lay claim on the team’s victory, fanning six Lima Christian batters and walking just one.

Genesee Valley/Belfast traveled to Friendship/Scio this morning to finish off last weekend’s suspended meeting in their Midseason Tournament in Scio.

Lima Christian 001 00 – 1 3

Genesee Valley/Belfast 086 2X – 16 13

LC – Eden Falco (LP) (CG, 3K, 6BB) and Abby Dils.

GVB – Hannah Southwick-Powers (WP) (6K, BB), Kate Calanni (5) (K) and Jenna Hill.

BASEBALL

Bolivar-Richburg 2, Cameron County 1

BOLIVAR — Through the upcoming stretch of games eclipsing over the horizon, the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg will be put to the test, soon collecting answers to find out what they are truly made of. It began Friday night with an epic clash against Cameron County hailing from Emporium, Pa. — their first of two battles from the neighboring state below.

And what a battle it was.

Just three combined runs off a plethora of hits at the plate were shared amongst the foes in the Wolverine Den, as they continued to travel on a collision course towards that very important something to give down the stretch with a 1-1 deadlock sitting idle on the scoreboard. That item was discovered during Bolivar-Richburg’s last-ups against Cameron County, as they managed to capitalize on some major special teams play to grab the lead.

After a tremendous start from Caden Allen on the mound, Trey Buchholz then came on to slam the door shut with a fanning of the side in the seventh inning to lock up Bolivar-Richburg’s 2-1 home victory — their sixth in a row.

Following the exchange of a scoreless inning between the clubs, the scoring would commence in the bottom of the second by the Wolverines (13-1), as they brewed up a 1-0 lead behind a huge Tavyn MacDonell single into left field to record the icebreaking score from Allen. It then proceeded to receive a furious response from Cameron County’s Maddox Baughman, allowing them to tie the game on his base hit into the outfield in the top of the third.

The deadlock would remain frozen in place for nearly three innings, as Allen and Taylon Tucker assumed their responsibilities on the mound to keep their respective opposition in check. But when the bottom of the sixth came around, the Wolverines found an opening and exploited it in the biggest way possible — using a big burst of special teams, as they capitalized on the game’s lone error from Cameron County to score their final run of the game, with the ball squirting free into the outfield to plate Allen again.

In the seventh, the rest laid on the shoulders of Buchholz, who came in relief of Allen for the Wolverines and torched the plate with a 1-2-3 inning from his arm to put a bow on their latest home victory.

The Wolverines posted their two runs off seven total hits, with Reiss Gaines and Tavyn MacDonell each recording a pair to lead the way. As for the pitching, the win belonged to Allen as he fired two and walked one across just over six innings of work.

Bolivar-Richburg will remain home for the next two games beginning on Monday, as they prepare for another below-the-border visit, this time from Coudersport, beginning at 5 p.m.

Cameron County 001 000 0 – 1 8 1

Bolivar-Richburg 010 001 X – 2 7 0

CC – Taylon Tucker (LP) (CG, K, BB) and Maddox Baughman.

B-R – Caden Allen (WP) (2K, BB), Trey Buchholz (7) (3K) and Aydin Sisson.

Hinsdale takes two from Friendship/Scio in Friday twinbill

SCIO — At the end of a long night in Scio on Friday, one thing remained at a constant — Hinsdale working their way out on top, as the Bobcats survived an incredible offensive explosion during their rescheduled Midseason Tournament affair before laying the lumber down one more time to complete the doubleheader sweep with host Friendship/Scio, as they marched onwards towards a wild 29-24 victory before setting on a 25-4 five-inning win to close it out.

In game one, haymakers were delivered left and right all throughout the course of action between both teams, as they navigated towards ties in each strand of three innings on the field — deadlocks of 14-14 after the first three innings, and then, 24-24 after six complete. Entering the final inning of play, the Bobcats would then poke home the ultimate difference maker, as they jumped ahead with the last five runs while shutting down Friendship/Scio in the bottom half to take the win.

The win on the mound was credited to Tyler Richards in relief, as he went two innings behind two strikeouts and four walks. On the flip side for the hosts in gold, Matt Donohue nearly went the distance, elongating his start into the seventh inning to record 11 strikeouts and 11 walks. As for the offenses, the two teams combined to record 27 hits altogether, with Hinsdale claiming an 18-9 advantage.

To finish off the doubleheader, the Bobcats (3-6) offense would remain red hot after their strong first game finish, using a 12-run first inning to set the tone against Friendship/Scio immediately, never looking back from that point on to secure the sweeping victory. Hinsdale went on to record all 25 runs off 16 hits at the plate.

On the mound, Henry Schwartz went all five innings for the visitors in blue, holding Friendship/Scio (0-10) to just four hits, fanning seven and walking six. The Bobcats returned to action this morning with a 10 a.m. visit from Ellicottville back home.

The hosts were paced by Cooper Greenman in relief, finishing the last inning of action with two strikeouts and a walk.

In-depth offensive statistics for both teams were not made available to report upon publication.

Friendship/Scio will return to Scio on Monday for a 5 p.m. collision with the incoming Canisteo-Greenwood Chargers.

Game 1

Hinsdale 617 064 5 – 29 18 4

Friendship/Scio 851 451 0 – 24 9 6

HIN – Tim Ribble (4BB), Robert Childs (2) (K, 3BB), Jake Elliott (3) (6K, 8BB), Tyler Richards (WP, 6) (2K, 4BB) and Peyton Keller.

F/S – Matt Donohue (LP) (11K, 11BB), Aiden Golden (7) (K) and Cooper Greenman.

Game 2

Hinsdale (12)67 00 – 25 16 3

Friendship/Scio 1 03 00 – 4 4 6

HIN – Henry Schwartz (WP) (CG, 7K, 6BB) and Peyton Keller.

F/S – Aiden Golden (LP) (5K, 12BB), Cooper Greenman (5) (2K, BB) and Nick Sortore.

BOYS TENNIS

Bolivar-Richburg 5, Cuba-Rushford 0

CUBA — The brooms made an appearance on the tennis court in Cuba on Friday, as the visiting Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg took over the field of play against the host Rebels of Cuba-Rushford by scoring all three singles victories to couple with a pair of doubles forfeits, putting it all towards a 5-0 shutout to finish the week on a high note.

Helping lead the way for Bolivar-Richburg (4-3) was Dustin Murray at second singles, leaving his a-game on the court to record a dominant 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Cuba-Rushford’s Jadyn Little. At first singles, Anthony Densmore kept the momentum going with a 6-1, 6-0 win of his own over Tyler Findlay, while Trevor Whitsell rounded out with his third singles, 6-0, 6-1 win over Jasmine Roe.

The first doubles team of Starlyn Kisel and Jamie Werner, joined along by the second doubles duo of Alex Parker and Sam Martin, recorded forfeit wins to finish off a triumphant night of Wolverines tennis.

Bolivar-Richburg is back home to welcome in Campbell-Savona for a 5 p.m. visit on Monday, while Cuba-Rushford stays put to host Andover/Whitesville on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Singles

1. Anthony Densmore (B-R) def. Tyler Findlay (C-R), 6-1, 6-0.

2. Dustin Murray (B-R) def. Jadyn Little (C-R), 6-0, 6-0.

3. Trevor Whitsell (B-R) def. Jasmine Roe (C-R), 6-0, 6-1.

Doubles

1. Starlyn Kisel/Jamie Werner (B-R) by for.

2. Alex Parker/Sam Martin (B-R) by for.