Submitted Photo Pictured is the Gowanda Panthers high school baseball team on Doubleday Field at the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Sunday, in Cooperstown.

OBSERVER Staff Report

COOPERSTOWN — The Gowanda Panthers and Dunkirk Marauders got to share a memorable baseball experience over the weekend, as the two teams traveled to Cooperstown to visit the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, before playing a non-league game, Sunday, on Doubleday Field.

The two teams traveled on a bus together out to Cooperstown beginning Saturday morning and stayed overnight in a hotel together Saturday night. After taking in all of the sights of the Hall of Fame, the teams played to a 4-1 Gowanda victory on Sunday afternoon, sparked by a three-run first inning for Gowanda.

“It was a quick, smooth game,” said Gowanda coach Tim Smith. “It was raining through a lot of Saturday so we were a little nervous about getting the game in, but the sun came out and it all cleared up for the whole game.”

Smith, in his 14th season as Gowanda head coach, picked up his 200th career victory with the win on Sunday.

“To get my 200th win there was pretty cool,” said Smith. “It all turned out to be a really cool day and a great experience.”

Smith said that only a few of his players had ever been to the Hall of Fame prior to this weekend, and that many of his players were in awe of the museum, as well as Doubleday Field.

“It was a great experience for the kids,” said Smith. “To know the people who had played on that field was special for them. They were amazed how the field was in the center of it all.”

All in all, the experience was one to remember for both teams.

“Sharing that experience with Dunkirk was great,” said Smith. “I had a blast doing it. I think we all did.”