OBSERVER File Photo Fredonia pitcher Derrick Walters delivers a pitch during a regular season game earlier this year. Walters threw 6 2/3 shutout innings against Silver Creek in a 3-0 win the last time the two teams met, in Fredonia. Fredonia heads to Silver Creek for the rematch today, at 4:30 p.m.

Coming into the season, many believed that Division 1 West was all but decided for Fredonia. After all, the reigning champs from B1 for a record seven straight seasons brought back a plethora of talent from last year’s team. This year’s roster, highlighted by 2017 League MVP Ryan Mroczka, along with pitchers Reid Tarnowski and Derrick Walters, features six returning league all-stars from 2017. Many teams have been outmatched against Fredonia this year.

Not Silver Creek.

The Black Knights came into Fredonia on April 26 and were not intimidated by the Hillbillies. Fredonia had a 4-0 league record before the game, and in those four wins, Fredonia outscored its league opponents by a total of 56-7. That sort of dominance made the Hillbillies, led by local legend head coach Vince Gullo, feel as if the team had not been challenged in league play on the year.

Silver Creek provided the challenge that Gullo was looking for.

Fredonia withstood the challenge and came away with a 3-0 win, behind 6 2/3 dominant innings from Walters, highlighted by 13 strikeouts, while only surrendering three hits.

Gullo characterized the game as “a gem” and added that his pitcher was in “mid-season form.”

“I love that Silver Creek came after us,” said Gullo. “It looks like they’ve got their number one guy lined up (Tom Galfo) … Galfo pitched well against us last week. … It should be a good one.”

Walters, or whoever Gullo decides to throw in today’s game, will need to be in mid-season form against Silver Creek this time around, as well.

Fredonia has won every game since the April 26 matchup with Silver Creek by double digits. All three league wins have pushed Fredonia’s league record to 8-0 on the year, with five league wins by the mercy rule, which is implemented when a team is winning by 10 runs or more in the fifth inning or later. On the year, Fredonia has outscored its league opponents by a total of 106-11.

“Fredonia is an outstanding team,” said Silver Creek coach Mike Janisch. “When you put an outstanding team out on the field like Fredonia, you want to play up to their level.”

Silver Creek is the only team to provide a real test so far on the season, and unlike the last matchup, Silver Creek comes in red-hot. The Black Knights have won four straight games, three in league play and a win over previously-unbeaten North Collins. The last three wins have all come by double-digits, with 39 runs scored in the last three games.

“Silver Creek is peaking at the right time,” said Gullo. “They’re playing really well.”

According to Janisch, Silver Creek has paired a consistent approach at the plate with solid pitching in the past week to mount the win streak it has.

“We have several hitters in the lineup making consistent contact,” said Janisch. “Pitching depth is not as deep as usual because of rainouts … Our pitching has been putting our defense in good positions lately.”

Today’s matchup is the clash that high school baseball fans have been waiting for. Fredonia faces its toughest test of the year, while Silver Creek looks to keep its streak of dominant wins going against the league’s best.

First pitch will be at 4:30 p.m. at Silver Creek High School.

Twitter: @bradencarmen