Tioga County Sports Report

OWEGO - The River Hawks hosted Chenango Valley on Friday night in the first round of the Section IV Class A Tournament, using another solid start on the mound from Elijah Lewis to shutout the Warriors, 4-0.

Lewis was dialed in all night for Owego. The senior went all seven innings on the bump, striking out 11, while only allowing one hit and zero earned runs.

Owego got on the board early, scoring a run in the first inning when Connor Kotski doubled to score Evan English.

Owego's remaining three runs came in the home half of the third inning.

Joseph Palladino led off the inning, reaching first on an error by the Chenango Valley first baseman. Palladino would steal second and with one out, Conlan Taylor also reached on a Warriors error. 

English came to the plate next and ripped a hard ground ball to center field, scoring both Palladino and Taylor. Connor Kotski and Dylan Brace both walked in the following at-bats to load the bases. Matt Higgins then worked the count for a walk, bringing home English.

Lewis went on to work efficiently through the Chenango Valley lineup, while the River Hawks backed him up with solid defensive play in the field to finish out the game.

English went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Kotski finished the night going 1-for-2 as well, and driving in a run. Higgins had an RBI, while Taylor and Palladino each scored once.

"Anytime you face a team in a win or go home game, it can be a bit scary. We left some guys on base tonight and we have to find ways to get those guys in, as we get deeper in the playoffs. But when you can get a win in a game like this, it's big time," said coach Nick Wegmann.

"It's very hard to beat a team three times, let alone four, and Chenango Valley can swing it. So it was a big focal point to not look ahead of tonight," added senior, Elijah Lewis.

OFA now advances to face Maine-Endwell in a best two out of three series. This will be a rematch of last year's Sectional Championship. The Spartans won the deciding game against Owego last year, 8-6.

"Everybody has bought in and we are a very complete team this year. We have had one goal all season, and that's go get Maine-Endwell. We are going to go out there and play clean, Owego baseball," said Lewis.

"We just have to go play our game and we will be alright. As long as we play defense, pitch the baseball and have good at-bats, we will be in good shape at the end of the day," commented coach Wegmann.