“Jake came in the game and got down in the count early, but came in to drive an 0-2 fastball to bring in the game winning run, which is impressive,” said Fredonia coach Vince Gullo. Gardner led off the inning with a single where Nick Whitfield bunted him over to second, allowing Gardner to score on the hit from Davis.

Fredonia (2-0, 2-2) led off the scoring in the third inning. Gabe Schrader reached on an error and his brother, Alec Schrader walked. The brothers were able to advance 90 feet on a passed ball. Gabe Schrader was able to score on an RBI groundout from Anthony Gullo.

The Thunderbirds (0-2, 1-2) responded with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Kyler Majka got the rally going with a walk and stole second. Later in the inning, Zach Fisher singled and advanced to second as the defense prevented the runner from going home. Tate Olsen followed with the Thunderbirds hit of the game, a two run single to center field. “I thought we had some quality at bats against two great pitchers,” Chautauqua Lake head coach Bryan Bongiovanni added. “We had a much better mentality than last game.”

Pitching stole the show in the game as they were able to retire batters on both sides. In its final at bat in the seventh, Fredonia scored the tying run to force extra innings. Gardner reached on an error where the ball bounced out of the outfielder’s glove. Whitfield reached on a bunt single. With two outs in the inning, Alec Schrader hit an infield single to tie the game, where Chautauqua Lake’s Zach Fisher did a great job of diving to keep the ball in the infield to keep the winning run at third.

OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Chautauqua Lake’s Kyler Majka releases a pitch during Monday’s game at Fredonia.

The Thunderbirds had a chance in the eighth inning with two runners in scoring position, but Whitfield pitched well and got a strikeout to get out of the inning.

Whitfield was credited with the win, pitching four scoreless innings in relief, surrendering only three walks while striking out six. Starting pitcher Trey Swartz had a solid game, giving up two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out six. According to Coach Gullo, “Trey did a great job and kept us in the game, but unfortunately, his pitch count got up early. Nick was thorough in relief and it was great to see how we were error free to support our pitchers.”

Cody Triana pitched well in defeat, giving up one run from three hits and one walk in 1.2 innings of work, while striking out one. Majka was effective as a starter, going 6.2 innings, giving up two unearned runs from three hits and two walks, while recording 11 strikeouts. Majka reached the maximum pitch count and had to be taken out of the game with two outs in the seventh.

“It was a very well played game by both teams where Kyler and Cody both did a great job on the mound,” Coach Bongiovanni added. “Hats off to Fredonia as they were able to find a way to win. That’s our next step as a team: learning how to close out ball games.”

Alec Schrader led the Fredonia offense with two singles, as he was the lone Hillbillie with a multiple hit game.

Zach Martin recorded a double for the Thunderbirds and was the only player on either side with an extra base hit. Olsen had two singles. Majka reached base four times with one single and getting three free passes. Nate Engdahl also reached base three times from three walks.

According to Coach Bongiovanni, “This game stings today. Our boys played their hearts out and I can’t ask for much more as a coach. This loss won’t define our season; How we handle this disappointment and adversity will.”

The Hillbillies play their next league game Wednesday at Southwestern, while Chautauqua Lake hosts Silver Creek today.

“We burned up our number one and two pitchers,” Coach Gullo added. “I am happy that we got the win and we never look ahead to our next opponent.”