The area’s baseball and softball seniors from CCAA Divisions I and II gathered at SUNY Fredonia to play one last game on Saturday. However, instead of competing against each other as they had all season, they were playing together.

When asked about what it meant to play in one last game as high school student athletes, players and coaches both sounded off in a positive light.

“I think it’s an honor,” said North Collins head coach Scott Gill. “We didn’t go over much coming in — they’re seasoned players. We just let them play, let them roll and have fun with it.”

The day started off on the baseball diamond with CCAA Division II West seniors playing host to the CCAA Division II East seniors.

OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Fredonia’s Cassie Essek fields a grounder during the CCAA Senior All Star softball game on Saturday at SUNY Fredonia. Essek was a key contributor to sectional finalist Fredonia this year.

Brocton standout Hunter Rizzo took the mound one last time for the West team, throwing three innings and striking out three hitters. Westfield’s Brady Nusom stepped up along side of Rizzo, as each player delivered hits during the game.

“It’s good for these kids to be able to play this game,” said Brocton interim head coach Ray Rosas. “Some of them might be able to go on and keep playing, but for others, it’s their last game. So it’s good for them to have this opportunity.”

The game, however, was owned by the East, as they dominated the whole way and won by a score of 15-4. North Collins star shortstop and CCAA Division II East’s Player of the Year Brandon Zielinski had a very nice ball game, including a triple to go along with other hits.

At the end of each game, the teams awarded an individual MVP to a player that stood out the most and played a good game.

For the East, Zielinski was awarded the MVP honor and for the West, Rizzo was given the same award.

“I’m going to miss my seniors,” said Rosas. “They’ve been a big part of Brocton baseball the last few years. They cemented what we’re looking to do moving forward with this program.”

Due to their not being enough girls to form Division I and II teams for softball, the teams just decided to play one big game in which the Division I players faced up against the Division II players. Due to the lack of pitching, Division II North Collins played with the Division I team, and Southwestern moved over to play with the Division II team.

In the game, the Division II team racked up 24 hits and scored 15 runs to win 15-3. They were powered by the bats of Cassadaga Valley seniors Savannah Nickerson, Mikaela Rearick, and Jewelee Schauman.

Schauman opened the game up in the top of the fifth inning with a line drive single down the left field line, plating two teammates and giving the Division II team a 6-0 lead.

The Lady Cougars showed out for their head coach Ken Balling, who will be retiring now that his seventeenth season as coach has concluded.

“It was really nice for [Ken] Balling to come coach us one last time,” said Nickerson. “This experience was a lot of fun.”

“I thought I was going out on a loss,” said Balling jokingly referring to the loss his team took to eventual state champion Chautauqua Lake back in May. “Luckily I was able to get one last opportunity to coach.”

Balling has spent time over the last two decades as a tech teacher along with being the softball coach. When asked what he’ll miss the most, he didn’t shy away from looking back at all his memories.

“I’ll miss the kids, the girls,” stated Balling. “A lot of people can’t believe I coached girls as long as I did. We’ve had a great 17 years. I really loved my job.”

Cassadaga Valley third baseman Schauman was tabbed with the MVP postgame.

Finally, the CCAA Division I East seniors took on the CCAA Division I West seniors.

The Fredonia seniors were looking to make some noise following their Class B title game loss to Olean. Of course, none other than Olean’s starting pitcher Josh Miles was the guy to oppose them to start the game.

After singles by CCAA Division I West Player of the Year Seth Schrader and Reid Tarnowski, Nolan Mages ripped a two RBI single to right, giving the west an early 2-0 lead. Redemption had to have felt sweet for Fredonia’s seniors.

With a different pitcher on the mound in the top of the third, Schrader lifted a triple to left and scored on a ground out by Tarnowski. The RBI made it 4-1 in the third, and the West team held on to win by a final score of 5-3.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Schrader, who won the MVP after the game. “I really enjoyed being with my teammates one last time. Being able to play with the guys I grew up playing with meant a lot. I’ll miss the people the most.”

For the East, Gowanda utility man Andrew Kruszka took the MVP award.

From friendly jabs among players to Dunkirk’s Jaziah Rivera wearing the wrong glove in center field, Saturday was a blast for the seniors’ final game as high schoolers.