Evening Sun Report
Boys’ Tennis
OWEGO - The lesson for Norwich Saturday afternoon is that every match counts, every point counts.
The Tornado, without the benefit of a tournament champion, repeated as Section IV Class B champions scoring 40 points to outlast runners-up Maine-Endwell and Owego, who each polled 36 points.
The sectional title follows up a STAC Central division title that was clinched last week. NHS head coach John Stewart said it was the first time since 1992 that Norwich swept division and sectional titles.
“I really didn’t think we could win this tournament without winning the doubles,” Stewart said. “In the end, a lot of things right had to happen, and to win all four of our opening matches, that’s what set this up.”
Norwich was the lone team among the nine schools in the tournament to have all four of its entries win their opening-round matchups. Billy Whaley, playing singles for the first time, defeated Owego’s Joshua Raftis, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. NHS’s second entry in doubles, Sal Cole and Roman Cwynar, also won in the opening round downing Oneonta’s McKenna Rowe and Erin Earl-Richardson, 6-7 (8-10), 6-0, 6-1.
Those two wins were worth three team points apiece, Stewart said. “If Billy loses the opening match, Owego wins the team title and we finish in second,” the NHS mentor said.
Norwich sophomore Matt Craig performed at a high level for the second straight year placing third in singles. He beat Maine-Endwell’s Aaron Weintraub, 7-6, 6-1 for third place. Again, a reversal of that outcome would have sent M-E into the winner’s circle. “The last two years, Matt has had that pressure on him to win the match, and we needed him to win again,” Stewart said. “He has proven consistently that he can take that pressure.”
Norwich’s top doubles team, Colin and Zan Stewart, placed second for the second straight year. The NHS sophomore duo won their first three matches before losing in the finals a second straight season to Owego’s Tommy West and Tyler Stickler, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
“Last year we had more of a clear path to victory,” Stewart said. “All of our kids are competitors and everyone fought and played hard. We either won our match or forced the opponent to win. Certain things were not in our control, but when we had the opportunity, it worked in our favor. We had some critical matches from the first round, and one loss anywhere along the way, and we’re out. That made this much more of a team event, and everybody’s victory counted toward the win.”
Craig returns to action Wednesday in a challenge match against the third-place finisher from the Class C tournament. The winner of that match advances to the state qualifier later this month at the Binghamton Tennis Center.
Class B team scores: Norwich 40, Maine-Endwell 36; Owego 36; Oneonta, 30; Chenango Forks, 21; Johnson City, 19; Chenango Valley, 15; Windsor, 12; Susquehanna Valley, 6.
Baseball
Norwich 8, Unatego 5
NORWICH – On senior recognition day, Norwich snapped a two-week winless streak beating Midstate Athletic Conference champion Unatego Friday afternoon.
Cody Barnes and John Yacano led Norwich with two RBI apiece, and the Tornado took the lead in the fifth plating five runs. Yacano’s two-run single was the key blow for the Tornado.
Ben Barnes pitched five innings for the victory, and Cody Barnes tossed two scoreless innings of relief for the save. “Everyone was putting the ball in play, and we fought back against a very solid team,” said Norwich coach John Martinson.
The Tornado play at Waverly Thursday in the first round of the Section IV Class B playoffs.
Unat 100 220 0 5 8 4
NHS 100 250 x 8 9 1
Ben Barnes (W), Cody Barnes (6, Sv) and John Yacano. Kellen Komenda (L), Williams (6) and DeJoy. Doubles: (N) Cody Barnes
S-E 6, Ilion 4
SHERBURNE – Sherburne-Earlville knocked off its second state-ranked team this month Saturday on senior day, and finished in second place in the Center State Conference, one-half game behind Clinton.
Mike Wilson pitched a complete-game victory striking out four and scattering six hits. Mick Khoury finished with three hits and two RBI, Wilson helped his own cause with two hits, and Felix Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. “The kids played unbelievable, and Mike pitched a great game,” said S-E coach Brian Hicks. “We had a ton of fan support, and it was a nice way for the kids to end the regular season.”
Carter Cole and Jake Bohnert added single ribbies for S-E (8-2, 10-5).
Ilion 000 220 0 4 6 4
S-E 300 201 x 6 8 2
Mike Wilson (W) and Jake Bohnert. Brian Maine (L) and Ryan Gookins. Doubles: (SE) Mick Khoury.
S-E 6, Mount Markham 5
MOUNT MARKHAM – Sherburne-Earlville grabbed the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth to defeat Mount Markham on Friday.
Felix Rodriguez led off the seventh with a double, and scored the tying run on Carter Cole’s RBI single. With two outs, Cole came in with the winning run on Mick Khoury’s double.
Matt Smith pitched the final four innings to pick up his fourth victory of the season.
Smith and Mick Khoury each had 2-for-3 days at the plate.
Score by innings R H E
S-E 400 002 0 6 9 3
