OBSERVER Staff Report

SALAMANCA — The Gowanda Lady Panthers softball team picked up its first win of the season in dominant fashion, with a 25-3 defeat of Salamanca on Friday in a CCAA Division 1 East high school softball game at Salamanca High School.

Makenzie Carroll led the Lady Panthers on the day, from both the circle and the plate. Carroll threw three shutout innings, with one hit and two walks, while also having five hits at the plate, including three extra-base hits and two runs batted in. Zoey Kota also had five hits, with three doubles and four runs batted in. Abby Valone pitched the final two innings for Gowanda, in a game shortened by the large scoring margin.

“We’ve been getting slowly better every game,” said Gowanda coach Tyler Thompson. “The bulk of the team is 9th and 10th graders. … This was proof that they can play at that level. I’m very proud of the girls.”

Gowanda moves to 1-2 on the season, with all of its games so far being in league play.