IAC BASEBALL: TIOGA OUTLASTS SOUTHERN CAYUGA, 16-12, IN 11 INNINGS IN THREE-DAY MARATHON (May 12, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
POPLAR RIDGE — The third time was definitely a charm for Tioga as it scored five runs in the top of the 11th inning here Tuesday afternoon to complete a wild 16-12 win over Southern Cayuga in a game that took three days to complete, twice being suspended due to darkness.

"The first day we had to rally for a couple runs late in the game to tie it before it being called for darkness," said Tioga coach Kevin Evanek. "Fast forward several weeks and we played a three-inning stalemate with them (Monday) night. 

"Then finally pulling ahead with a big five-run inning today in the 11th inning.

"One of the keys to winning this game was Cam Ross’s outstanding effort pitching three scoreless innings against their best pitcher (Monday) night," added Evanek. "Overall, it was a good effort from everyone getting the win today after a doubleheader last night."

On April 22, Tioga and Southern Cayuga battled to an 11-11 draw through seven innings before the umpires called the game due to darkness.

On Monday, following its game at Union Springs, Tioga returns to Southern Cayuga and played three scoreless innings before the game was again called due to darkness.

On Tuesday, junior Brayden Lounsbury knocked in two runs with a fielder's choice groundout, and juniors Cooper Dember and Anthony Powell ripped RBI doubles to highlight a five-run rally in the top of the 11th inning to give the Tigers a 16-11 lead.

Powell the gave up a run on one hit in the home half of the 12th to close out the win.

On Day 1, Dember gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI double by Dember.

Tioga upped its lead to 6-0 with five runs in the second inning in a rally that featured a two-run double by sophomore Josh Rought, and RBI singles by Powell and freshman Jaxon Bidwell.

The Chiefs answered with five runs in the bottom of the second to close the gap to 6-5.

Bidwell knocked in a run in the top of the third with a groundout to make it 7-5, and Tioga added another run in the fifth to take an 8-5 lead.

Southern Cayuga scored four times in the bottom of the fifth to take a 9-8 lead.

Tioga scored on a groundout off the bat of senior Max Paugh to tie the game at 9-9, but in the home half of the sixth two runs to take an 11-9 lead.

Carter Stoughton walked to lead off the top of the seventh inning and stole second, but the next two batters struck out.

Lounsbury stroked an RBI single to close the gap to 11-10, then an error and a walk loaded the bases, before Lounsbury scooted home on a passed ball to tie the game at 11-11.

The Chiefs lead-off hitter in the home half of the seventh singled, but Dember fanned the next three batters, and the game was called for the first time.

Sophomore Cam Ross pitched around a lead-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning, and two base on balls in the ninth inning to preserve the 11-11 tie.

Tioga was retired in order in the eighth and ninth innings, but Dember belted a one-out double, and Paugh had an infield single that put runners on first and second, but the next two batters were retired.

The Chiefs put runners on base on an error and a dropped third strike, but Ross induced a groundout to end the inning before the game was called for the second time.

Dember was 4-for-5 with three doubles, one run scored, two RBI and four stolen bases to pace Tioga's 15-hit attack, while Powell had three hits, including a double, three runs scored, three stolen bases, and two RBI, and Bidwell had two hits, two runs scored, and two RBI.

Ross singled twice, scored two runs, and stole two bases in the win, while Paugh singled twice and drove in one run, Lounsbury singled, scored two runs, stole two bases, and drove in three runs, and Rought doubled, scored two runs, stole three bases, and knocked in two runs.

Stoughton scored two runs and stole two bases for the Tigers, while Brendan Clark scored one run and stole three bases, and Lia Mullen crossed the plate once.

Ross, who picked five innings on Day 1, pitched three shutout innings Monday to earn the win. He ended the game with 15 strikeouts in eight innings.

Dember struck out five in two innings of relief, and Powell struck out two in one inning.

Tioga, now 6-7, hosts Newfield Wednesday.

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IN PHOTO: Tioga's Cam Ross.

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