OBSERVER Staff Reports

BROCTON — The Maple Grove Red Dragons (8-0, 9-3) clinched the CCAA Division 2 West Championship in an 11 inning, 5-2 win over the Brocton Bulldogs (6-2, 6-5) at Brocton High School, on Friday. After a couple costly errors by Brocton in the 11th inning, Maple Grove tacked on three runs to give them the eventual winning score of 5-2.

“It was a great game to watch, to coach, and a great game for the players,” said Brocton head coach Rob Fetterick. “The Brocton Bulldogs showed a lot of growth today. In a game with 11 innings it’s more than just one guy.”

Brocton received strong performances on the hill from their starter Bubba Brown, then in relief from Nick Putcher. Brown went six innings, allowing just one earned run, on three hits, two walks and struck out 13. Putcher went the remaining five and gave up no earned runs, with three hits, one walk and eight strikeouts.

The Maple Grove offense was led by Ayden Reagle going 2-for-5 with two runs scored, Kyle Trim had a RBI and a double, and Easton Tanner scored a run and had a double.

The Bulldogs trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, but a Riley Rivera single knocked in Derrick Burns and tied the game. Rivera went 4-for-5 on the day, scored a run and knocked in a game tying RBI single. Jordan Krystofiak added a 2-for-4 performance with a RBI single and a double.

The pitching duo for Maple Grove was strong all game long, just allowing runs in the first and seventh inning. Darren Vaillancourt got the start and went 7 2/3 innings pitched, allowing just one earned run, on six hits, three walks and struck out 11. Tucker Fenton finished the game and just allowed one hit, one walk and struck out nine.

“Maple Grove outlasted us today,” said Coach Fetterick. “They have a nice pitching staff. When they needed the runs they were able to get them.”

After a costly top of the 11th, Brocton attempted to rally against Maple Grove. Caleb Chelton got on base, but he would be the lone Bulldog to reach as Gabe Morello lined out to end it 5-2.

Maple Grove finished undefeated in CCAA Division 2 West league play.

Brocton came off of a strong win Thursday, 5-1 over Clymer/Sherman. That game was highlighted by Jordan Krystofiak pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run, on three hits, two walks and struck out six. Bubba Brown went 2-for-3 with a 2-run home run, and Blaise Miller went 1-for-2 with a two RBI double.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Monday, in Gowanda under the lights.

Panama 9, Pine Valley 5

SOUTH DAYTON — Pine Valley (2-11, 2-7) was dealt a tough loss, 9-5, from Panama, in a Section VI non-league baseball game at Pine Valley High School, on Friday.

Gabe Roth shined for Panama (3-9, 2-6), both on the mound and at the plate in the winning effort. Roth was the winning pitcher, throwing three innings and only allowing one hit, two walks, three runs and struck out five. Roth went 2-for-2, reached on error twice, scored twice, stole two bases and had two RBI. Ryan Joslyn added a 2-for-3 game with a RBI and a run scored.

Pine Valley went with Sam Hunt on the hill and saw him go 5 2/3 innings pitched, giving up nine runs, on eight hits, three walks and struck out three.

Offensively for Pine Valley, Cade Nelson got his first varsity hit and Dustin Baldwin had a RBI single.

Pine Valley hosts Ellicottville today at 10 a.m.