Mark Gampietro

Despite finishing in sixth place (13-14) in the AAA Muny standings and outside of the top four teams earning automatic bids to National Amateur Baseball Federation regional tournaments, the Orchard Park Sox have one more chance to earn a bid to the regional tournament in Buffalo by competing in the preliminary tournament among the league’s remaining teams to determine a fifth qualifier.

The preliminary tournament begins tonight with the Sox needing three consecutive wins to advance.

The quest begins with the Sox slated to host Lancaster at Orchard Park High School for a 6 p.m. start.

Orchard Park won the season series over Lancaster, 2-1.

Mark Gampietro is expected to start with Joe Hill taking the mound on Friday at the Northown Center in Amherst if the Sox win.