One squad aims to continue its quest to avenge a loss in the NYS final last season. The other is coming off its first sectional title since 1998 and third in program history. Friendship-Scio and Ellicottville will clash on Friday with goals of an NYSPHSAA semifinal appearance in mind. Here’s the breakdown:
CLASS D
FRIENDSHIP-SCIO GOLDEN EAGLES (16-3 / Allegany County)
vs.
ELLICOTTVILLE EAGLES (12-5 / Chautauqua/Cattaraugus II East)
Friday, Webster Schroeder HS, 5 p.m.
How they arrived here: Friendship/Scio defeated Lima Christian (8-1), Fillmore (10-0) and Batavia Notre Dame (2-0) on its way to a second straight sectional title appearance. The Golden Eagles then beat Keshequa to capture the Class D Section V title. Ellicottville beat Panama (5-2) and Clymer/Sherman (10-1) to hoist the Section VI trophy.
Tempo and trends: Friendship-Scio scores 6.89 runs per game while allowing 0.81. Ellicottville averages 10.5 runs scored per game and 4.47 runs allowed per game. The Golden Eagles are riding an eight-game win streak and have posted shutouts in 10 of their 16 wins. Ellicottville has won eight of its last nine games.
Players to watch for Friendship-Scio: Neveah Ross Sr. P; Morghyn Ross So. C; Nora Thompson Sr. IF; Avery Lamberson So. IF.
Ellicottville: Ande Northrup So.; Courtney Marsh Jr.; Riley Whitmer Fr.; Emmylu Carls Sr.
Coaches: Deb Warner (Friendship-Scio), Matt Finn (Ellicottville)
History 101: For the third-straight season, the Friendship-Scio Golden Eagles have captured the Class D Section V title. Last season, the Golden Eagles defeated Westfield 3-0 in the Far West Regional and reached the NYS final, but fell to Deposit-Hancock (IV) by a 5-3 score. Ellicottville enters the Far West Regional for the first time since 1998 and third time in program history. The Eagles fell in both 1997 and 1998 to Elba. Elba would go on to capture the state title in both seasons.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class D Semifinal against either Chapel Field Christian (IX) or Deposit-Hancock (IV).
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