Warriors' Urbanski pitches 5 no-hitter | News, Sports, Jobs

Salamanca pitcher Cole Urbanski steps to the plate during a CCAA Division 1 game against Falconer on Saturday at Denny Meszaros Field in Falconer.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman

FALCONER — Senior Jackson Ross is a true ace.

Salamanca's fate in the Chautauqua-Catalaugus Athletic Association's highly competitive Division 1, and ultimately the Section VI Class B2 playoffs, will likely depend on whether the Warriors can find a No. 2 starter.

On Saturday afternoon, senior Cole Urbanski made his pitch for the job.

In a dominant style.

The right-hander pitched a no-hitter in the fifth inning as Salamanca defeated Falconer 11-0 at Denny Meszaros Field.

Salamanca shortstop Corey Holleran catches a pop-up as second baseman Jake Herrick looks on during a CCAA Division 1 game against Falconer at Denny Meszaros Field in Falconer on Saturday.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman

“I thought Cole did a good job,” Salamanca head coach Greg Herrick said. “He's been attacking the strike zone all year long. He got beat up a little bit in Dunkirk, but we told him to get right back in the zone.”

Urbanski struck out five, walked one and struck out two batters, and the Warriors improved to 7-2 overall and 2-2 in the division. He threw 43 of his 65 pitches for strikes.

“The only way we're going to survive this year is to be very efficient on the ground,” Herrick added. “That's what he did today. I was proud to see the way he pitched.”

Despite temperatures in the low 40s and winds gusting up to 30 mph, Salamanca's attack was hot from the start.

Salamanca outplayed the batting lineup in the first inning, scoring five runs on two hits, one error, and three walks. Ross and Urbanski each had a run on target.

Falconer first baseman Gage Swanson catches a dropped ball from home for three strikes during Saturday's CCAA Division 1 game against Salamanca at Falconer's Denny Meszaros Field.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman

The Warriors scored three runs in the third inning, with junior Corey Holleran, senior Carmine Hogue and senior JT Orman each scoring an RBI.

Salamanca scored three more runs in the top of the fourth, and the 10-point mercy rule was applied. Senior Jake Herrick, Urbanski, junior Kurt Kustenis and senior Cam McGraw all had hits.

“I thought all the kids wrestled well considering the tough conditions,” Coach Herrick said. “The defense held up its end of the bargain.”

Overall, the Warriors had 12 hits and gave up four walks from Falconer sophomore Joshua Holmberg and eighth-grader Isaiah Washington.

“A few games ago, we were trailing nine times. That's not a winning formula. We need to make contact first, don't look down, and “I've been working on being more aggressive at the plate,” Coach Herrick said. “I thought we got a lot of balls out today and our batting lineup showed some depth up and down. We're really starting to start producing at the lower end of the order.”

Falconer left fielder Gavin Curtis catches a fly ball in the first inning of a CCAA Division 1 game against Salamanca on Saturday at Falconer's Denny Meszaros Field.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman

Urbanski needed little offensive power. He hit the first batter of the game and pitched without an error in the second inning. In the third inning, he gave up a walk to the first batter and allowed the next batter to reach due to an error, but sophomore catcher Peyton Bradley forced the Golden Falcons' runner who attempted to steal a base to retire and ended the inning with two strikeouts. I got out.

In the 4th inning, he again avoided an error and pitched, forcing the runner on first base to ground out, completing a no-hitter shutout.

“That's been our challenge all year, just making sure we complement Jackson. Corey, Jake, Cole, they've done a good job so far,” coach Herrick said of the pitching staff. talked about. “We're going to have those four in the mix all year. We're really confident in what they'll do as the season progresses.”

This week, Salamanca plays two straight league games against Fredonia, while Falconer plays the same game against Southwestern.