Gowanda Small Town Times

[photo] Pictured is Emily Pound (#20) heading for home in the 1st inning of the Gowanda home softball game against North Collins. Landing on 3rd base is Aubrie Heron (#9).

The Gowanda Varsity softball was the only varsity game played on April 10. Visiting Gowanda this day was North Collins. It was a very unique game for Gowanda with Gracie Eddy pitching the whole game for Gowanda while Hailey Christopher replaced regular catcher, Ella Luther. It was a very positive showing as Gowanda locked down a shut out win in 4-½ innings.

After securing 3 outs from the first 4 North Collins batters, Gowanda went to work. A slightly off target throw to 1st base allowed the lead Gowanda batter to register a single. The bases were eventually loaded as Addison Kota was walked for the first of three times in the game. An Ella Luther double to left field drove in the first two Gowanda runs. Gowanda totaled 7 runs in the inning. Things slowed down from that point for two innings. Gowanda added single runs in both the 2nd and 3rd inning while the defense continued to shut down the North Collins batters. North Collins never managed more than four batters in an inning as the shut out continued.

It was 9-0 in the bottom of the 4th inning and the Gowanda offense got busy again. Hailey Christopher singled to start things off. After an out, Cheyanna Pasternack was walked and Aubrie Heron singled to load the bases. Sophie Bobseine singled as North Collins opted to pick off Christopher at home rather than throw to first. Alhanna Gabel was walked scoring a run for Gowanda. Another three Gowanda runs were scored before the final out was registered. Gowanda was up 13-0 heading to the 5th inning with North Collins needing to score to prevent the 10 Run Rule from ending the game. That was not to be as Gowanda retired the next three batters in order. The last of those was a hit to the pitcher for an easy toss out to 1st base.

Heading up the Gowanda offense were Corrina John (2 runs, 2 hits, 3 RBIs, 1 stolen base), Emily Pound (1 run, 2 hits) and Ella Luther (2 runs, 2 hits including a double, 2 RBIs). Also scoring were Aubrie Heron (2 runs, 1 hit), Sophie Bob seine (2 runs), Addison Kota (1 run, 1 hit, 1 RBI), Alhanna Gabel (1 run, 1 hit, 2 RBIs, 1 walk), Holland Browning (1 run, 3 hits including a triple, 2 RBIs) and Cheyanna Pasternak (1 run). Hailey Christopher a hit for an RBI). At pitcher, Gracie Eddy pitched the entire game for a no hitter shut out. n the way she had 5 strike outs and 1 walk.

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[photo] Gowanda’s Jayden Fish (#12) heads home to score in the 1st inning of the April 4 home scrimmage with Brocton. Also seen running the bases is Drew Kota (#7) who also eventually scored.

On Thursday, April 4, the Gowanda Varsity baseball team hosted a 6-inning scrimmage game versus Brockton. It was a cold, wet day near 40 with heavy cloud cover. It was a strange game with full rosters going through the batting rotation and pitching & field assignment changing inning by inning.

Gowanda came out of the 1st inning up 2-0 with Jayden Fish and Drew Kota, pictured above, both scoring on wild pitches. Between the two teams a total of 6 runs scored on wild pitches. A 7-single, 8-run 2nd inning for Brocton. That 8-2 Brocton lead held up to the 4th inning where they added five runs to their total. Gowanda countered in the inning with three runs. Those being scored by Fish and Kota along with Nick Smuda.

Gowanda came up with a double play in the 5th inning limiting Brocton to just three batters for three outs. Gowanda batters also went down 1-2-3 in the inning leaving the score 13-5.

The 6th inning started with a light drizzle falling that turned into a steady light rain by the end of the inning. Brocton picked up one final run in the inning on a double and two walks. A diving catch in left field by Gowanda secured a third out and prevent another Brocton run. Brocton then closed out the game at 14-5 with three strikeouts.

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[photo] Pictured is Gowanda designated runner, Cheyanna Pasternak (#7), heading for home in the 6th inning of the home opener against Ellicottville. She was base running for Ella Luther.

On March 25, the Gowanda Varsity softball team finally was back in action after a cold, snowy week had delayed the start of the season. The last remnants of snow had disappeared from the field in the hours preceding the game. This was the team’s first competition since winning the 2023 state championship as well as pitcher, Addison Kota’s, first action following an ankle injury that saw her miss the entire basketball season.

With a still taped ankle, Kota pitched four scoreless innings giving up just a single hit and striking out 9. At the end of those four innings Gowanda was up 10-0 and Kota was replaced on the mound. Four Ellicottville batters were walked in a 5th inning that saw them pile up 7 runs. Four of those runs scored on wild pitches. That tightened things to 10-7 as Gowanda came up to bat. Gowanda answered back with leadoff batter, Grace Eddy hitting a triple to get things started. That was followed by a Hailey Christopher walk. The Ellicottville defense tightened up, but both Eddy and Christopher were able to score before the inning ended.

Eddy came in to pitch the 6th and 7th innings. Ellicottville did not score again while Gowanda picked up a pair of 6th inning runs to bring the final score to 14-7.

Leading the attack for Gowanda were Audrina Huss (3 runs, 2 hits including a double, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base), Alhanna Gabel (2 runs, 2 hits, 1 RBI) and Corrina John (2 runs).

Also with strong showings were Ella Luther (a double, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base), Emily Pound (1 run, 2 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI), Addison Kota (1 run, 1 double, 2 RBI), Holland Browning (1 run, 3 hits, 1 double, 4 RBI) and Gracie Eddy (1 run, 2 hits, 1 triple, 1 RBI).

Also scoring single runs were Aubrie Heron and Hailey Christopher.