Gowanda Small Town Times

Photo: In the 4th inning of the May 15 home game against Bishop Timon, Tyler Smith (#15) slides in to home on a wild pitch tying the game at 3-3. Seen heading to 3rd base is Carter Capozzi (#21). Capozzi was later caught trying to make it to home base.

Monday, May 15, was a great start to the week for both the Gowanda Varsity baseball team and Varsity softball team. The baseball team was home for a non-league game with Bishop Timon-St. Jude.

Gowanda got off to a sluggish start and was down 2-0 after one inning. Scoring single runs in the next two innings, Gowanda managed to tie things at two. The score went to 3-3 in the third inning. Gowanda’s leadoff batter in the inning, Tyler Smith blasted a hard shot up the middle nearly hitting the pitcher. After an initial out, the next two Gowanda batters were walked advancing Smith to 3rd base. He scored (pictured above) on a wild pitch.

Going into the 4th inning 3-3, the Gowanda offense heated up. While Timon would not score again, Gowanda added 3 runs in the 5th and 6 more in the 6th inning. The Timon 6th inning collapse began with Logan Ruff being walked followed by a Madden Lay single. Then Andrew Barlow was walked loading the bases. The next two batters were struck out, but Gowanda was not done yet. Alex Pachucinski was walked scoring Ruff to start a Gowanda spurt. Next up, John Ondus, smashed a home run to the left corner for 4 RBIs. Gowanda’s 6th run in the inning was scored by Tyler Smith who was initially walked. Later he would again score from 3rd base on a wild pitch. Three Timon outs later, the game ended as a 12-3 Gowanda win. Powering the Gowanda offense were Tyler Smith (4 runs, 1 double, 1 RBI), Alex Pachucinski (2 runs, 2 RBIs, 1 triple) and John Ondus (4 RBI home run). Also involved in the scoring were Blake Herman (1 run, 1 double), Ben VanNote (1 run), Braydon Smith (1 run), Andrew Barlow (1 run) and Cole Herman (1 RBI). With a pair of big games against 2nd Place Dunkirk next up on the schedule, Gowanda rested pitcher, Alex Pachucinski. Gowanda went with seven different pitchers for this game, none pitching more than one inning They included Logan Ruff (1 inning), Drew Schull (1 inning), Tyler Smith (1 inning), Brayden Smith (1 inning), Carter Capozzi (2/3 inning), Blake Herman and Madden Lay (1-1/3 inning & credited with the win).

Monday the 15th also found the Gowanda Varsity softball team at Falconer. It turned out to be quite the battle.

After two scoreless innings, Falconer managed to grab a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning. Gowanda cut that to 2-1 in the 4th inning and took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 5th. Falconer matched Gowanda‘s production in the bottom of the inning re-taking the lead 4-3. It remained that way through a scoreless 6th inning. In a hard fought 7th inning Gowanda moved back in front 5-4 only to have Falconer tie the score at five forcing an extra inning of play. Going into the 8th inning, Gowanda got their best surge of the game. They tallied three runs in the top of the inning. Falconer also made a move in the inning, but was stopped one run short by Gowanda. That gave Gowanda an 8-7 win. Addison Kota hit a solo homerun in the Gowanda effort. It was her 5th homer of the season and the 1st one hit away from Gowanda’s Lady Panther Park. Also coming up strong was Lily Bob seine (1 run, 1 double, 2 RBIs). Ella Luther and Hailey Christopher each had a run and an RBI in the game. Scoring single runs were Jada Geiger, Holland Browning, Alhanna Gabel and Emily Pound. Corinna John had an RBI. Pitching all 8 innings for Gowanda, Addison Kota threw a 5-hitter giving up 7 walks against 12 strikeouts.