NCCC baseball wins back-to-back titles

Niagara County Community College knocked off rival Herkimer College to win its second consecutive Region III championship this past weekend at Veteran's Memorial Park in Little Falls. It is the seventh regional title since 2009 for the Thunderwolves, who also set a program-record for wins with 49. N-Trip advances to next week's NJCAA Division III World Series in Greeneville, Tenn.

Niagara CCC 3, Erie CC 0

Sophomore Kyle Menaker improved to 10-1 on the year after notching 12Ks in seven innings of work. Freshman Andrew Fairbrother finished 3-for-5 with a home run, while classmate Vincent Stutz added two hits and sophomore Matthew Ferris scored twice.

Niagara CCC 3, Finger Lakes CC 2

Freshmen Andrew Bench and Troy Leibert combined to toss five innings of hitless relief in the narrow victory. Sophomore Vincent Cenname clubbed a home run, while Ferris and freshman Zach Evans had an RBI apiece.

Herkimer College 7, Niagara CCC 5

Fairbrother along with freshmen Carter Arbuthnot and Lance Baldensperger each had two hits and an RBI in the lone NCCC setback.

Niagara CCC 9, Herkimer College 8

Freshman ace Ryan Birchard threw four innings of one-hit relief to improve to 6-0 and help N-Trip to the title. Ferris homered, while classmate Chris Tani was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Fairbrother chipped in with two more RBIs.