Gowanda Small Town Times

Photo: Senior Class members of Gowanda’s boy & girls track teams. Girls (left to right) Lea Mohawk, Emma Cross and Crissa Scanlan. Boys (left to right) Edoardo Comegna, Braydon Boler, Tim Rasey, Ethan Bachek and Samuel Latimore.

May 16 was a busy day for Gowanda Varsity sports. It was Senior Night for the track teams with baseball and both lacrosse teams also having games.

Starting at the track Senior Night with Gowanda hosting Portville. It vas a very competitive day for the Gowanda boys track team who squeaked out a 2-point 65-63 win. Senior, Tim Rasey had a highlight day with two 1st Place finishes (100m, 12.2 and shot put, 34-3) plus a 2nd Place in the 200m (25.9) losing to Edoardo Comenga by a fraction of a second. Rasey was also on the 1st Place (12.3) 4×100m relay team with Sam Latimore, Aiden Ackley and Ethan Bachek. Those were all season best marks for Rasey. In addition to edging out Rasey for 1st Place in the 200m, Comega also took 2nd in the long jump (15-0). Also with a big day for the Gowanda boys was Mason Williams with a 1st (400m hurdles,1:08.3) and two 2nd Place finishes (110m hurdles, 19.5 and 3200m, 14:07.4). Rounding out the top performances for the boys on the day were Chase Bolen (1st, 1600m, 5:06.6 and 2nd, 800m, 2:19.9) and Aiden Ackley (1st, discus, 94-8.5).

The Gowanda girls track team came up short 58-77 despite 14 personal best performances. Among those personal best efforts were Alyssa Ruziicka (1st, long jump, 14-1 and 1st, triple jump, 30-9), Liz Malek (2nd, 100m hurdles, 19.0), Rhianna Woods (2nd, 100m, 13.5), Calie Hudson (2nd, 800m, 2:490.6) and Christina Wilder (2nd, discus, 64-2.5 and 2nd, shot put, 25-6.5). Crissa Scanlan took 1st Place in discus with a throw of 80’ 9”.

May 16 also found the Gowanda Varsity baseball team busy at Dunkirk. Going into the game, Dunkirk was in 2nd Place just one game behind Gowanda. Off to a quick start, Gowanda grabbed a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning. A 3-run 2nd inning put Dunkirk out in front 3-2. Through the next two innings, the score would move to 4-3 as the teams each scored single runs. Two scoreless innings followed. In the 7th inning, Gowanda managed to tie things at 4 in the top of the inning, but Dunkirk matched that production to grab a 5-4 win. That set up the May 18 rematch at Gowanda to be for the conference title. Top performances for Gowanda came from John Ondus (2 runs and a 1 triple) and Blake Herman (1 run, an RBI and a double).

Both Gowanda Varsity lacrosse teams were away. The boys were at Newfane for an easy win. In a game that was nearly a carbon copy of the meeting at Hillis Field, Gowanda came away with a 24-0 win. In a personal highlight moment, Gowanda’s Winter Rivera had one goal and 7 assists for 8 points putting him over 200 points in his Varsity career. Scoring multiple goals for Gowanda were Ethan Steep rock (6 goals, 3 assists), Ha’tsihgahdo:d Stevens (3 goals, 3 assists), Winter Mentley-Peters (2 goal, 1 assist), Kallan John (2 goals), Nakotah Jackson (2 goals) and Hodaweo:je’ Wisniewski (2 goals). Jordan Smith, Kaiden Spruce, Jaxstin Johns, Nate Warrior, Ruben Rivera IV and Cashis Montour all scored single goals in the game.

The Gowanda Varsity girls lacrosse team was at East Aurora. They fell into an 8-2 hole by halftime on the way to a 15-5 loss. Leading the Gowanda offense with 4 goals was Ke’ya Stevens. Cadence Luther scored the other Gowanda goal. Once again Gowanda goalie, Nina Coulon was bombarded in the net facing 27 shots and making 12 saves.

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.

- Finally got the Week 4 scores for Trap -

Baseball 13-1, 11-1

Tuesday, May 9

Southwestern at Gowanda
Gowanda 9, Southwestern 2

Thursday, May 11

Allegany-Limestone at Gowanda
Gowanda 10, Allegany-Limestone 0

Saturday, May 13

Gowanda at Allegany-Limestone
Gowanda 13, Allegany-Limestone 1

Softball 10-6, 7-3

Tuesday, May 9

Gowanda at Forestville
Gowanda 9, Forestville 0

Wednesday, May 10

Pine Valley at Gowanda
Gowanda 9, Pine Valley 3

Friday, May 12

Gowanda at Randolph
Gowanda 2, Randolph 8

Boys Lacrosse 5-8, 5-4

Monday, May 8

Wiliamsville East at Gowanda
Gowanda 9, Williamsville 15

Wednesday, May 10

Newfane at Gowanda
- Senior Night -
Gowanda 23, Newfane 0

Friday, May 12

Gowanda at Medina
Gowanda 11, Medina 20

Girls Lacrosse 0-12, 0-6

Monday, May 8

Williamsville east at Gowanda
- Shooting For A Cure game -
Gowanda 6, Williamsville 12

Wednesday, May 10

Eden at Gowanda
- Senior Night -
Gowanda 5, Eden 14

Friday, May 12

Hamburg at Gowanda
Gowanda 1, Hamburg 18

Track

Monday, May 8

Gowanda at Salamanca
Boys
Gowanda 44, Salamanca 88
Girls
Gowanda 44, Salamanca 92

Tuesday, May 9

Gowanda at Franklinville/Ellicottville
Boys
Gowanda 16, Franklinville 123

Friday, May 12

Gowanda at Super 8 meet
at salamanca
-individuals only meet -
Chase Bolen 6th 1600m 4:58.69
8th 800m 2:18.44

Saturday, May 13

Gowanda at Jamestown Track & Field Classic
Boys
1st Hamburg 128
10th Chautauqua Lake 16
11th Gowanda 6

Trap Conference 1A-11

Week 4 score & Season total
1st Gowanda 1,045 3,714.00
2nd Hammond 784 3,330.00
7th Potsdam 451 1,477.00

Ranking in Conference 1A-11 and [in NY State]
Boys
1st Daniel Stang 48.50 ave. [4th in State]
2nd Zayne Laskey 47.25 [16th in State]
5th Daniel Humphrey 44.25
7th David Dirienzo 43.25
Girls
1st Maddison Smith 43.25 [13th in State]

On Saturday, May 13, the Gowanda Varsity baseball team was at Allegany-Limestone for the second game of that series. At the home game, Gowanda won 10-0 with the contest being called after the top of the 5th inning. This game would not go a full seven innings either.

The game started out with very stingy defense being played in the early going. Gowanda managed a 1st inning run plus two in the 2nd for an innitial 3-0 lead. The teams exchanged single runs in the next two innings with Gowanda scoring in the 3rd and Allegany-Limestone in the 4th. After a scoreless 5th inning, Gowanda exploded for 9 6th inning runs. That put Gowanda out in front 13-1, ending the game under the 10-run rule. Powering the Gowanda attack were John Ondus (2 runs, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 stolen bases), Blake Herman 2 runs, 2 stolen bases), Carter Capozzi (2 runs, 2 RBIs) and Drew Shull (2 runs). Also credited with RBIs were Brayden Smith (1 run, 3 RBIs), Alex Pachucinski (1 run, 3 RBIs) and Tyler Smith (1 run, 1 RBI). Cole Herman and Logan Ruff each scored a run. On the mound for Gowanda was Alex Pachucinski giving up one run against 4 walks and strikeouts.

Back in the first game of the season, Gowanda lost by a 3-5 score to Fredonia. Since then Gowanda has won 10 straight and is in 1st Place in CCAA Division 1. Right behind them is Dunkirk at 10-2. Gowanda and Dunkirk will face off twice in a very busy last week of the regular season next week.

Also on Saturday, the Gowanda boys track team was at the Jamestown Track & Field Classic in a field of 11 schools. While Gowanda finished at the back of the pack with 6 points as a team, two boys had individual results that are worth noting. They are Mason Wilson (4th in the 400m hurdles) and Chase Bolen (7th in the 800m).

Photo courtesy of Gowanda boys lacrosse team. Gowanda’s Winter Rivera poses after passing the 100-goal mark in his high school career.

Friday, May 12, found the Varsity boys lacrosse team and the Varsity softball team on the road while the Varsity girls lacrosse team was at home at Hillis Field. The Gowanda softball team was at Randolph for the biggest game of the regular season. Going into the game, Gowanda had 2 losses in CCAA East 1 and Randolph had one loss. That single loss had been to Gowanda. So this game was for the top spot in the division. This is becoming a regular situation for these two teams.

It was Senior Night for Randolph and things started out tight. The two teams exchanged single runs in the first inning and the score stood at 1-1 all the way into the 4th. Gowanda was again unable to score in the top of the inning. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Gowanda defensive glitches allowed Randolph to pile up five runs taking the score to 6-1. Gowanda managed a single run in the 5th inning. The score was 6-2 when Randolph was up in the bottom of the 6th inning. They padded their total with a pair of runs moving the score to 8-2. Again shutout in the final inning Gowanda took the loss. Leading the Gowanda scoring were Corina John (1 run & a double), Gao:Wisa:S “Wassy” Stevens (1 run) and Addison Kota (a double and an RBI). Also prominent on the offense were Ella Luther (2 hits), Holland Browning (1 hit) and Jada Geiger (1 RBI). Addison Kota pitched for Gowanda giving up 3 hits and 5 walks against 9 strikeouts.

May 12 took the Gowanda Varsity boys lacrosse team to Medina. Another hard fought battle for the boys, they were down 12-6 at halftime on the way to a 20-11 loss. It did not come without a highlight moment, though. On his 3rd goal of the night, Winter Rivera reached the 100-goal mark for his Varsity career. Rivera ended up with 6 goals and 2 assists on the night. Also featured in the Gowanda attack was Ha’tsihgahdo:d Stevens (3 goals, 4 assists). Nakotah Jackson and Nate Warrior had goal each.

The Gowanda Varsity girls lacrosse was home versus Hamburg on the 12th. The powerful Hamburg team dominated keeping things at the Gowanda end of the field for most of the game. It was 11-0 at halftime with a final score of 18-1. With the Gowanda girls getting pushed around for most of the game shots on goal were hard to come by. Gowanda’s only goal of the game came with 13:05 left in the 2nd half. As she was falling towards the goal, Ke’ya Stevens managed to shovel the ball into the net just before she hit the ground.