Monday Roundup: Sterling outing from Cowburn, Grover’s mammoth triple keys Lions in bounce back win over rival Way-Co; Hinsdale softball downed, GV/Belfast golfers triumph at WCC over B-R
WELLSVILLE — The time to rebound came Monday for the Lions of Wellsville. It was home sweet home for their first game post-Spring recess following two tough defeats in Cortland towards the tail end of last week, as they aimed to do just that against a Class B rival they will face twice in a span of a week — the Wayland-Cohocton Eagles.
Before the precipitation swarmed and shrouded the hills entering Wellsville later in the evening, the diamond in the Lion’s Den saw both teams hop off and on the field at a rapid pace to begin the festivities, as both the Eagles and Lions traded three quick, scoreless barbs on defense. For the Lions, it was a trend that Aiden Cowburn capitalized upon with full authority, keeping Wayland-Cohocton at bay magnificently right from his inception on the mound.
With his momentum propelling the defense all game long, it then shifted to the plate down the stretch where the Wellsville bats ignited at the right time.
It began with Trent Green. And it ended with Karson Grover.
The middle of the lineup for the Lions smashed through at the best possible time to remove a game-long stalemate with the Eagles, with Green driving in the first run before Grover doubled down and delivered the second punch of a 1-2 haymaker, belting a mammoth fourth-inning triple that kept the hosts in orange and black in the driver’s seat permanently to help seal up a big 4-2 rebounding victory back home.
“Aiden was dealing tonight,” said Lions coach Tom Delahunt. “He was in complete control and had great control, mixed up his pitches, and really kept them off balance. He unfortunately ran out of gas in the seventh, but Trent came in and closed the door for us. This was a huge game for us. Losing twice in Cortland last week stung and we didn't play our best. To come home and have this showing with a lot of energy, we played with a lot more tempo. We really brought it tonight.”
Immediately following three scoreless innings that featured just one base-runner for each dugout, along with six big strikeouts on the resume of Cowburn for the Lions (5-2), the scratching of home plate would then commence for the hosts with a big three-run frame generated at first by Trent Green, who delivered a big RBI single to break the ice. With the floodgates now slightly ajar, Karson Grover opened them for good with two runners on, driving a triple to deep center field to bring both runners home for a massive 3-0 lead on the Eagles.
The momentum continued to ride with Wellsville after evading a late threat from Wayland-Cohocton, adding their final run off a Ty Vogel RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Eagles were able to get onto the board late with a run in each of the final two frames of play, but in relief of a sterling Cowburn start into the seventh inning, Trent Green was able to come in and slam the door shut to lead the Lions defense back off the field one more time in victorious fashion to lock down the bounce back win.
The Lions amassed their four runs off six total hits, with Vogel and Green leading the way with two hits each. Aiden Cowburn had a double to go with a magnificent 10-strikeout, one-walk performance on the mound to score the win.
The Eagles posted their two runs on a six-hit display at the dish. On the mound, Hayden Wolfanger went through the first four innings, compiling four strikeouts and one walk in his start.
Wellsville returns to action coming up on Thursday, as they hit the road for a 5 p.m. visit off to the west, squaring off with the Olean Huskies.
Wayland-Cohocton 000 001 1 — 2 6 0
Wellsville 000 310 X — 4 6 2
W-C – Hayden Wolfanger (LP) (4K, BB), Paetyn Michaud (5) (2K) and Ethan Loop.
WLSV – Aiden Cowburn (WP) (10K, BB), Trent Green (7) (K) and Matt Ritter.
SOFTBALL
Arkport-Canaseraga 13, Hinsdale 1 (F-6)
HINSDALE — The return from the Spring recess for the Arkport-Canaseraga Lady Wolves was of exceptional quality on Monday. Before beating out another dreary and rainy weather forecast across the area, the Lady Wolves put the pedal to the metal down the stretch against the host Lady Bobcats of Hinsdale, as they scored the game’s last 11 runs in consecutive fashion to pull away towards a 13-1 victory after six complete innings.
Following the capture of a 2-0 lead during the third inning, the Lady Bobcats (0-5) utilized a crucial RBI from the bat of Lily Bushnell to chart their course onto the scoreboard in the bottom half of the frame, cutting their deficit right down the middle in the process. But it would be as close as the hosts reached to the Lady Wolves, as the visitors in teal went on to score 11 unanswered runs — six of which stemming in the top of the fourth, to officially pull away.
Upon the capitalization of 13 walks and a trio of errors from the Lady Bobcats, Arkport-Canaseraga posted just six hits at the plate, with Autumn Frechette leading the way with a 3-for-5 outing, blasting a double, an RBI and scoring three runs. Frechette also supplied an excellent outing of relief to finish out the victory, striking out seven Hinsdale batters within the circle to combine with Grace Mahany on a two-hit win.
The Lady Bobcats had just two hits, with Kaylie Foskit leading the way with both, including a double. On the mound, Jen Tuttle struck out nine and walked nine in her start across four innings.
Hinsdale will return to action tonight with a 5 p.m. trip to Friendship to greet host Friendship/Scio.
Arkport-Canaseraga 011 632 — 13 6 2
Hinsdale 001 000 — 1 2 3
A-C – Grace Mahany (WP) (4K, BB), Autumn Frechette (4) (7K) and Nicole Merry.
HIN – Jen Tuttle (LP) (9K, 9BB), Lily Bushnell (5) (3K, 4BB) and Alli Greenawalt.
GOLF
Genesee Valley/Belfast 198, Bolivar-Richburg 318
WELLSVILLE — Consistency is king when it comes to the game of golf. For the first time back outdoors post-Spring recess, the Genesee Valley/Belfast golfers kept their winning edge intact when they returned to the Wellsville Country Club on Monday, as they witnessed Grant Preston lead the charge towards a 2-0 start to their campaign with the medalist round in their 198-318 victory over visiting Bolivar-Richburg.
Preston was at the top of his game once again for Genesee Valley/Belfast (2-0) on the links, providing the team’s lowest round of 43 to aid their victory. Right behind him was Will Guilford, who shot a round of 46. Jordan White-Phipps chipped in with a 53, while Jackson Bowers collected a round of 56.
Bolivar-Richburg (0-1) was powered by a team-low round of 59 fired by Owen Unfus. Jordan Boldt recorded an 84. Addison Hackett had an 85, while Shawn Murphy had a 90.
Both teams will have Fillmore up next on their schedules, with Genesee Valley/Belfast playing host right back at the Wellsville Country Club today in a 4 p.m. tee time. The Wolverines will then follow suit on Wednesday back home at the Bolivar Golf Club, hosting the Eagles in a 4 p.m. contest of their own.
