Gowanda Small Town Times

May 19 was Senior Night for Gowanda Varsity baseball. Pictured are the Senior Class members of the Varsity baseball team. From left to right, Tyler Smith (#15), John Ondus (#7), Alex Pachucinski (#19), Drew Shull (#10), Andrew Barlow (#23) and Cole Herman (#22).

On Friday, May 19, the Spring Sports regular season ended with an elaborate Senior Night presentation for the Varsity Baseball team. That was the capper of a season that hit a high point the day before. After having just lost to Dunkirk 5-4 on May 16, those two teams met again on the 18th tied for the lead in CCAA Division 1 with 2 divisional losses each. This game for the Division 1 title was all anyone might have expected.

After holding Dunkirk scoreless in the top of the 1st inning, Gowanda’s leadoff batter, Blake Herman singled. He later scored on a Tyler Smith single giving Gowanda an early 1-0 lead. The game stayed tight through a scoreless 2nd inning. Things broke open in the 3rd inning. After the first Dunkirk batter was walked and the first out was recorded, Dunkirk jumped into the lead with a 2-run homer over the left field fence. Going to the bottom of the inning down by a run Gowanda returned the favor. Their first batter was thrown out at 1st base and the next, Alex Pachucinski, was walked. That was followed by a John Ondus 2-run home run, again over the left field fence, that put Gowanda back in front by a run. The teams traded single runs in the 5th inning after a scoreless 4th. The Gowanda run was scored by Tyler Smith who stole home on a passed ball. Dunkirk picked up another run in the 6th tying the game at 4 with Gowanda coming to bat in the bottom of the inning. Brayden Smith scored the go ahead run for Gowanda on an Ondus double. Then Pachucinski scored while Tyler Smith was being thrown out at 1st base. Ondus also scored in the inning as outfield miscues gave him the opportunity to steal home. With a 7-4 lead, Gowanda retired the first three Dunkirk batters in the 7th inning to close out the win.

The baseball team was back at home on May 19 to close out the regular season with a game against Hamburg. Senior Night ceremonies were held honoring the Seniors from both teams with Dunkirk going first. After all of the Dunkirk Seniors had been recognized, Gowanda brought all of the player from all of the high school baseball teams onto the field, spreading out along the base path from home to 3rd base. Coaches then moved out on the line from 3rd base to home. As each of the Gowanda Seniors was introduced, they walked along the bases being greeted by all of the other players, then coaches and finally meeting up with their parents at home base.

Once the game was underway, Gowanda held Hamburg scoreless for three innings while accumulating four runs on the way. Down 4-0 in the 4th inning, Hamburg went on a tear starting with their first batter, Nolan Smith, driving the ball over the right field fence for a solo home run putting Hamburg on the board. Hamburg then loaded the bases with a single and two walks. The next batter drove the ball into the right corner where the Gowanda right fielder just missed on a diving attempt to grab it. By the time the ball was recovered and sent back into play, four Hamburg runs had scored putting them up 5-4. In the bottom of the inning Gowanda answered with a pair of runs after their first three batters were walked. While Hamburg managed to pull back into a tie at 6 in the 6th inning, Gowanda again matched their production in the inning going back in front by one. There was a tense moment for Gowanda in the 7th inning with Nolan Smith back at bat. He slammed a shot into the farthest corner of centerfield. It went off the Gowanda fielder’s glove and over the fence. While at first it looked like a tying home run, the deflection over the fence placed Smith back on 2nd base by rule. There were no further Hamburg hits in the game. Gowanda closed out the regular season with a 7-6

In a festive end to the regular season, there was a post-game pizza party after the game. The sheet pizzas and soft drinks were set up for the teams to enjoy.

The Gowanda girls lacrosse team ended their regular season without a win on the 18th. They were at Frontier for another one-sided game. They were down 13-0 at halftime, eventually losing 20-1. The lone Gowanda goal was scored by Ke’ya Stevens. The usual goalie for the team, Nina Coulon, was replaced early giving Kiernan Quinn a first shot at the goalie position. She faced 28 shots making 10 saves in the debut.