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Dunkirk, Fredonia meet in softball playoffs today

Here we go again

OBSERVER File Photo Dunkirk’s Kaitlyn Davis rounds the bases after hitting a home run during a regular season game this year.

The year of the Dunkirk-Fredonia rivalry has one final chapter, as the Lady Marauders and the Lady ‘Billies face off for a spot in the Class B1 softball final today in Fredonia.

Just months after the two rivals met in the class championship in basketball in Buffalo, the two schools — each with multiple players who were in that basketball game — will clash today at 4:45 p.m. at Fredonia High School with not only a spot in the title game on the line, but also a chance to claim the season series between the two rivals.

Earlier this season, when the two first met at Fredonia High School on April 23, Dunkirk made the biggest statement of the year in the division up to that point. The Lady Marauders defeated Fredonia — the defending league champions — 9-4, to claim a lead in the division. Dunkirk maintained that division lead until the final week of the season, in which losses to Chautauqua Lake and Fredonia took the Lady Marauders out of the running for the league title.

Fredonia claimed the second meeting of the year, May 9 in Dunkirk, by a score of 8-3. Grace Pucciarelli hit a go-ahead home run that gave Fredonia a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the way. The win set up a winner-take-all game later that week between Fredonia and Chautauqua Lake for the league title, which Chautauqua Lake claimed in the final inning.

Both Dunkirk (13-5) and Fredonia (12-3) have had similar seasons up to this point. Each team had a shot at the regular season division title in the final week, each team won on its rival’s field and each team was given a favorable seed in the class playoffs. The second-seeded Lady ‘Billies took care of Albion, while third-ranked Dunkirk defeated City Honors to set up today’s semifinal matchup.

OBSERVER File Photo Fredonia catcher Grace Mroczka connects with a pitch during a game earlier this season.

“The girls are definitely excited,” said Dunkirk coach Michelle Gilmour. “It’s the same feeling we had before the first game (Dunkirk’s win at Fredonia on April 23).”

With the two meeting once again, everyone with a rooting interest in the crosstown rivalry will be excited, but none more excited than the players themselves. This is not just a semifinal matchup, though that in itself would provide more than enough motivation for the players. But as we’ve learned already this year, through spring sports, winter and fall, this rivalry adds to the moment even more.

“It just makes us want it more,” said Fredonia shortstop Kazlin Beers after Thursday’s quarterfinal win to set up today’s matchup. “Whoever wants it more is going to come out with the win.”

Fredonia coach Jesse Beers — Kazlin’s father — acknowledged that he may not have a preference who his opponent is at this stage, but he does feel that it adds to the setting of the biggest moment of the season to date.

“I don’t really have a preference, but obviously the Dunkirk-Fredonia rivalry would be kind of interesting to see for a third time, because we’ve had two really good games with them,” said Coach Beers after Thursday’s win. “The kids are looking forward to that. For me personally, if we keep playing our game … I like where we’re at.”

The season split is not lost on anyone involved. Kazlin Beers and both coaches referenced the season split when asked about today’s game. Today will settle that split and send the winner on to the championship game.

“It’s going to settle the split we have right now,” said Kazlin Beers.

Regardless of which team comes out on top, this will be the moment of the year for the two teams to date.

“We’re looking to redeem ourselves from the last time we played Fredonia,” said Gilmour. “It will be a great game.”

The game will begin at 4:45 p.m. at Fredonia High School. If you can’t make it to the game, follow along on Twitter by visiting @TheObserverNY, @bradencarmen, or by searching #OBSERVERScores.

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