OBSERVER Staff Report

GOWANDA — After a closely contested non-league baseball matchup between the Fredonia Hillbillies and the Gowanda Panthers on Wednesday, Fredonia poured it on in the fifth and sixth innings to come away with a 13-5 win at Gowanda High School.

Gowanda (6-1) tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning after a squeeze bunt by Justin Kohn scored Gavin Phillips. Early on, Gowanda pitcher Tanner Olson matched the Hillbillies’ ace, Trey Swartz.

But then, Fredonia (6-2) scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning to break the 2-2 tie. Alec Schrader had an RBI in the inning, as did Dalton Gardner, while Dom Gullo had a two-run single to extend the lead.

The Hillbillies were not done yet, as they scored five more runs in the sixth inning. Troy Lanski had a sacrifice fly, while Gardner drove in another run on a single. Nick Whitfield also had a double in the sixth inning.

Swartz pitched six innings for Fredonia, allowing just three hits and only one earned run. Donovan Apthorp pitched the seventh inning for Fredonia.

Alec Schrader had two hits on the day for Fredonia, as did Hillbillies senior Will Schmitt.

“Will Schmitt did a good job leading our offense,” said Fredonia head coach Vince Gullo. “It’s great to see him contribute. He provides strong senior leadership for our young team.”

Gowanda had two hits from Zack Smith and from Olson, who had a pair of doubles and two RBI, in addition to starting on the mound for Gowanda.

Fredonia plays another non-league game today at noon, at Jamestown. Gowanda travels to Buffalo to play Silver Creek at Coca-Cola Field, the home of the Buffalo Bisons, at noon.