Livonia creates extra inning magic, complete 3-run rally with last 4 runs of game, squeeze past Wellsville in walk-off fashion with 5-4 home win

LIVONIA — With a wide band of rain working its way through the area on Friday, most of the night’s battles on the slate were held off. But there was enough clearing in sight for the Lions of Wellsville to make a road trip up north to visit an opponent they’ve come to know, especially in recent years — the Livonia Bulldogs.

In their first and only meeting of the regular season, the two foes picked up where they left off from a season ago, where all three games they partook in were decided by no more than two runs. This time around, it was no different.

After the game’s opening stages, it was neck-and-neck. But then Wellsville was able to create an opening with a two-run frame to branch their lead out to three — the largest they would have over the Bulldogs. But the tide began to turn immediately following the Lions and their lead extension.

It was a wave that Livonia was more than capable of surfing.

Down by one, the hosts in blue and orange created some magic at the plate, tying the game in the bottom of the seventh to ultimately force extra innings, where they would provide one final run to scratch across to complete a game-long rally after trailing 4-1 and turn it into what would be a 5-4 walk-off victory in eight innings.

The Lions (5-7) were the first to jump out towards a lead after two innings of play, as both teams connected successfully in their first at-bats, scoring a run on each side before it was branched out upon in the second with another run. With both Logan Dunbar and Conner Benitez continuing to deal for their respective teams, the scoring resumed later on in the top of the fourth when Wellsville struck again, posting what would be their last two runs to take a 4-1 lead on the Bulldogs.

In response, Livonia’s was even more powerful, as they went on to score the last four runs, including a game-tying run in the seventh to force extra innings, needing just one to lay claim on the victory.

Dunbar went the first five innings for the Lions on the hill, striking out nine and walking three. At the plate, the team would collect five hits. Trenton Green would lead the way in that department, going 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Aiden Cowburn chipped in with a hit, and drove in two of the team’s four runs.

Wellsville will look to bounce it back into the win column on Monday, as they return home to welcome in Addison for a 5 p.m. first pitch.

Wellsville 110 020 00 – 4 5 7

Livonia 100 020 11 – 5 7 2

WLSV – Logan Dunbar (9K, 3BB), Gavin Haggerty (LP, 6) (3K, 4BB) and Trenton Green.

LIV – Conner Benitez (5K, 3BB), Connor Feehan (WP, 5) (4K, 2BB) and Alex Benitez.