In the first inning, Majka started the rally with a single for the Thunderbirds before he stepped foot on the mound. Cody Triana and Nate Engdahl both followed with singles. Later in the inning after the three consecutive singles, Brendon Rowe came through with a two run single.

“Coach Bongiovanni had the entire team ready to play and they came here and hit the ball well early to put up three runs,” said Dunkirk coach Frank Jagoda. “We were facing a pitcher that gives up less than two runs a game so we faced an uphill challenge from the start. They have progressed as the season has gone on as their mindset has not changed. However, it is our fifth game in five days, so it was tough to get back out here after playing with all the emotion this weekend.”

Chautauqua Lake added three more runs in the fourth inning. Zach Fischer started off with a double to right field. After Majka was intentionally walked and Triana reached on a fielder’s choice, Engdahl recorded an RBI with a free pass. Luke Waters followed with a two run single, but Dunkirk got out of the threat as they threw out the runner trying to get to third.

Dunkirk recorded its first run in the bottom half of the inning. After Jared Glowniak walked, Michael Norton singled him over to third. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Lucas Porpiglia hit the ball to second base, allowing the run to score on the play.

OBSERVER Photos by Ron Szot. The Dunkirk senior baseball players were honored before Monday’s CCAA Division 1 West game against Chautauqua Lake, pictured above, from left is Nick Hernandez, Koty Leeper, Jared Glowniak, head coach Frank Jagoda, Lucas Porpiglia and Tristan Skelly.

“Dunkirk is a young team, but they don’t play like it,” Chautauqua Lake coach Bryan Bongiovanni stated. “Zatorski played well and Messina did well hitting and behind the plate. They have several other young players contributing and they always take quality at bats.”

Over the next three innings, Chautauqua Lake was able to get baserunners on, but Dunkirk was able to end the threat while only giving up one run. The Thunderbirds left two on in the fifth inning, along with three in the sixth. Chautauqua Lake had the bases loaded in the seventh, but the runner at third was picked off.

“We still need to clean up some things as we left 14 runners on base and made some mistakes on routine balls,” Bongiovanni added. “We are playing aggressively and playing our best baseball at the right time. Despite these mistakes, I am proud of how far we have come and where we are headed.”

The Marauders were able to use that momentum and manufacture a rally in their last at bat. After Ennuel Barretto blasted a double, Majka reached his maximum pitch count. Later in the inning, Nick Marsowicz and Phil Messina reached base from miscues by the third baseman. However, Zach Martin came through with the save as he forced a popup to second base to secure the victory.

“This was a nice win for our program against a quality opponent,” Bongiovanni stated. “This was Dunkirk’s 5th game in a row so they were a bit worn, but to our credit, we took advantage of that”

Chautauqua Lake senior pitcher Kyler Majka.

Majka pitched another dominant game, giving up two runs from three hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings of work. He also added eight strikeouts. Majka finished the season with an ERA less than two and 103 strikeouts.

According to Bongiovanni, “Kyler threw the ball very well. His ability to get ahead of batters and keep them guessing is impressive. He got his 100th strikeout of the season today which is quite a milestone.”

Tristan Skelly gave a dominant effort for the Marauders, surrendering six runs from eight hits. Alex Ahlstrom pitched two innings in relief, without giving up a run or hit while Nick Zatorski finished the last inning.

Zach Fischer and Brendan Rowe both had a multiple hit game for the Thunderbirds, while Fischer had the lone extra base hit with a double. Rowe, Majka, and Engdahl all reached base four times, with one hit and multiple walks. The entire lineup reached base and contributed offensively.

“Rowe had a great overall game both offensively and defensively,” Bongiovanni added. “Engdahl and Fischer both had big hits with runners on base.”

OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot. Above, Thunderbird Luke Waters fields a ball during Monday’s game.

Barretto was the lone Marauder with an extra base hit with a double.

Jared Glowniak, Lucas Porpiglia, Tristan Skelly, Nick Hernandez and Koty Leeper were all recognized for the Marauders, playing their last game in Dunkirk.

“These seniors have matured through the years and proved to be great leaders,” Jagoda stated. “Jared has been outstanding the entire year while Tristan has proved himself to be a quality pitcher. Nick missed ten games this year, but has helped out. Koty has come through with timely hits while Lucas has done new things and does a good job at everything. This is a great group of individuals that have developed through the years.”

Chautauqua Lake plays Westfield on Wednesday in a tune up for the playoffs, while Dunkirk concluded its season prior to the playoffs.

Bongiovanni included, “This is a quality win that we hope to build off of.”