OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Dunkirk’s Danny Williams (25) hustles back to first base during the Marauders’ game in Silver Creek on Friday.

SILVER CREEK — Despite only getting five hits, the Dunkirk Marauders took advantage of their opportunities on the way to a 9-1 victory over the Silver Creek Black Knights in CCAA West 1 action on Friday night.

Both pitchers were dominant through the first two innings before Dunkirk erupted for five runs in the third. After a walk and an error to the bottom of the order, Phillip Messina came through with an RBI single to give Dunkirk the first run of the game.

After an error on a pickoff attempt scored Messina, Payton Ahlstrom had an RBI on a sacrifice fly to score Devaun Farnham. The highlight of the inning came from a deep, 2 RBI double by Koby Leeper to cap off the Marauders’ five run inning.

“We got a few clutch base hits tonight,” said Dunkirk coach Frank Jagoda. “We were strong on the bases and did a good job putting pressure on the defense with solid base running.”

Silver Creek recorded its first hits of the game in third inning on a single by Nik Stalker and a double by Jon Pulver. However, Dunkirk pitcher Ahlstrom shut the door with a strikeout to leave three runners stranded for the Black Knights.

“Payton was able to pitch with great composure tonight,” stated Jagoda. “When he needed to, he really hit his spots to get us out of a few jams. That really helped us to keep the momentum going on our side.”

Dunkirk (2-0, 2-2) loaded the bases in the fourth with three free passes before Josiah Rivera’s single up the middle of the diamond scored Dan Williams. The Marauders were unable to bring across another run that inning because of stellar play from Silver Creek. After a wild pitch, catcher Travis Drozdziel retrieved the baseball to throw a perfect strike to pitcher Stephen Romanik who was covering the plate to tag runner Alex Ahlstrom, which ended the inning.

Silver Creek (0-2, 0-3) was able to get their lone run of the game in the fifth. Stephen Romanik hit a solid double before scoring on a wild pitch. Again, the Black Knights left runners in scoring position.

“We had a few runners on, but really didn’t hit the ball when we needed to,” said Silver Creek coach Mike Janisch. “We have to give it to Dunkirk as they had a great game plan with a young pitcher who able to hit his spots.”

Dunkirk added three more runs in the sixth with contributions coming from Farnham’s RBI single and Rivera’s sacrifice fly that was hit to the fence in center field.

According to Jagoda, “We have done a great job putting the ball in play the past two games. Hopefully that will help us moving forward by continuing to make contact with the ball.

Payton Ahlstrom got the win for the Marauders, giving up one run on four hits with four walks in 5.1 innings while striking out eight. Rivera and Nate Ganey relieved without giving up a run or hit.

“Our pitchers did a great job of finishing the game today,” said Jagoda. “We have solid starting pitching, but the innings at the end of the game are just as important to bring us in and tonight we finished the job.”

For Silver Creek, Tom Galfo was credited with the loss, giving up six runs (three earned) on two hits and seven walks while striking out eight. Stephen Romanik was solid in relief giving up only one single in 1.2 innings while striking out two. Spencer Harford finished the game giving up three runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out three.

Janisch said, “Dunkirk deserved to win. They played well and did the little things right.”

The Black Knights look for their first win of the year on Monday as they host Chautauqua Lake, while Dunkirk hosts Olean this morning.