North loses playoff rematch with Niagara-Wheatfield
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Niagara-Wheatfield eliminated Williamsville North by a run in last year's Section VI Class AA semifinal. Fast forward a year later and the Falcons beat the Spartans again by a run to hand North its first loss of the season.

Niagara-Wheatfield, who beat North, 5-4, in the playoffs, defeated the Spartans, 8-7, in a non-league home game on April 3.

"I could see us playing them in the playoffs again," said North coach Jerry Scarcella.

Niagara-Wheatfield jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning before North answered with two runs of their own. Pat Dwyer and Austin Benschadle singled and were brought home by singles from Taylor Gahagen and John Ticco, respectively. Benschadle added a run for North in the fifth when he scored after a sacrifice fly to left field from Nick Fronczak. North scored three times in the sixth, two courtesy of a towering over-the-fence home run from Max Zimmerman, his second of the year, and a RBI single from Jared Fabian which scored Ticco from second.

North had the tying run (Ticco) on second but the Spartans grounded out to the Niagara-Wheatfield shortstop and flew out to left field to end the game.

Dwyer (3 for 5, double, two singles, RBI) and Benschadle (3 for 4, double, two singles, walk, RBI) led the North hitting. Besides Zimmerman's homer, Scarcella lauded his defensive work behind the plate.

"He did a good job blocking the ball and stopping their runners on base from advancing," said Scarcella.

Ben Zwierchowski picked up the loss on the mound, allowing four earned runs on six hits, and striking out 11 in 5.1 innings of work.

Matt Fleming, a JV call-up, threw one inning, and allowed a hit, struck out one, and got the next two to ground out.

"I wanted to win the game but my plan was to find out about the guys who I brought up from JV (like Fleming)," said North coach Jerry Scarcella.

Niagara-Wheatfield first baseman Kyle Smith hit 3 for 4 with a walk, double, two singles, scored three times and had three RBIs.

North's home game with Frontier last Wednesday was cancelled. No makeup date has been announced. The Spartans (1-1) are supposed to play, weather permitting, at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bishop Timon-St. Jude.

North returns to league action at 4:45 p.m. Monday at ECIC Division I powerhouse Clarence, who edged the Spartans for the division crown last year.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com