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Gowanda advances

Big fourth inning leads Panthers to win over Eden

GOWANDA — The Gowanda Panthers scored seven runs in the fourth inning and never looked back en route to a 9-5 victory over the Eden Red Raiders in a B-2 pre-quarterfinal battle on Friday night.

Both teams traded runs in the first inning. Red Raiders leadoff hitter Evan Kelly singled and eventually scored on an error that was thrown over the first baseman’s head. Gowanda leadoff hitter Andrew Kruszka also singled before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Zach Smith. Later in the inning, Justin Kohn’s RBI single scored Kruszka.

No. 10 seed Eden would add three runs in the third, which was aided by three free passes and an error. Kelly had the big hit of the inning with a double that hit the fence in center field.

No. 7 Gowanda’s entire lineup contributed in the fourth as they sent 12 batters to the plate. Caleb Davis and Trevor Mercado each led off with singles. Then, the bottom three of the order, Gavin Phillips, Matt Smuda, and Tyee Nagel each earned a walk. Tanner Olson hit a two out, two run single to left field to give the Panthers their first lead of the game at 5-4.

Gowanda kept up the pressure as Kohn’s RBI single added another run. Davis struck out but did a great job running to first as Eden had a miscommunication amongst the infielders. Mercado ended the rally with an RBI single, which was his second of the inning.

“It’s a good thing this is a seven inning game as we came out flat early,” said Gowanda coach Tim Smith. “It was nice to see the boys battle back. They really dug themselves in a hole, but they showed great composure to keep battling hard.”

Eden would add a run in the top of the fifth before Gowanda would add an insurance run in the home half of the inning. Nagel and Smith both walked and Olson came through with a two out RBI single. Gowanda would then put down the rest of the Eden batters they faced to secure the victory.

“This was a total team effort,” Smith stated. “They all took good at bats and got the job done. It is great to see that everybody in the lineup contributed positively in some way.”

Mercado received the win, giving up five runs (three earned) in four innings of work. He surrendered three hits and five walks while striking out seven. Caleb Davis pitched three innings in relief and went perfect, retiring all nine batters that he faced.

“Caleb is a three year varsity player and has seen all different types of situations,” said Smith. “He is a great pitcher and has always been there for us. When he came in today, he was in total control and shut the door.”

Tommy MaCauley was credited with the loss for the Red Raiders.

The Panthers had a total of 11 hits in the game. Olson and Kohn each had three hits where Olson led the team with three RBIs.

“They came up with clutch hits in a timely situation when needed to,” Smith added. “They are reliable and always come through when depended on.”

Mercado also had a multiple hit game for the Panthers. Eden had a total of three hits. Two of those hits came from Kelly including a double, which was the only extra base hit of the game.

Gowanda plays at Roy-Hart this afternoon in a class B-2 quarterfinal.

“They are a talented group of kids,” Smith said. “Hopefully we put things together like we did in the middle innings today and give them a good game. Tanner Olson will pitch and he is fully rested, ready to go.”

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