In the end, Dunkirk’s bats brought more thunder than Mother Nature even could.

Thursday’s softball matchup between Dunkirk and Fredonia was interrupted as the bottom of the third inning was set to begin because of echoes of thunder and flashes of lightning off in the distance. Minutes later, the downpour began and both teams headed to the Dunkirk High School auxiliary gym to wait out the storm, with Fredonia ahead 4-0.

After the half-hour intermission, Dunkirk came out stronger than ever, scoring six runs in the frame to take a lead the Lady Marauders would never relinquish. The Dunkirk Lady Marauders ran away with the rest of the CCAA Division 1 West softball contest to defeat the Fredonia Lady ‘Billies, 11-6, at Dunkirk High School on Thursday night.

“We were kind of rolling at that point, but I don’t want to say the delay had too much to do with it,” said Fredonia coach Jesse Beers. “We’ve been talking about mental toughness and not letting one mistake become two. You can’t be thinking about the previous play … and I think we got a little exposed (Thursday) with that.”

OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Fredonia’s Kazlin Beers connects with a pitch during Thursday’s softball game against the Dunkirk Lady Marauders, at Dunkirk High School.

The delay may not be what Coach Beers blames for the result, but it was evident that the Lady Marauders’ play was amplified by the circumstances surrounding the game.

“It was definitely crazy. I knew we would be fighting the weather all game,” said Dunkirk coach Michelle Gilmour. “When the delay happened, for us, it couldn’t have happened at a better time. As soon as we got into the school (for cover) it was like everyone took a deep breath. They looked confident, they were having fun, and that energy and that confidence carried out onto the field.”

Dunkirk never trailed again after taking the lead. Jessica Beehler added the seventh run of the game for the Lady Marauders on a no-doubt home run to dead center field.

“Jessica has been struggling in her at-bats for most of the season. She actually didn’t bat in the lineup for a couple games, but after one of the games she said ‘Coach I can do it, put me in.’ So to see that out of her was fantastic. It’s the athlete, it’s the competitor inside of her. It was great to see. She deserves it.”

Fredonia got a run back on a no-doubt bomb to center field by Sydney Bigelow in the top of the fifth inning.

OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Dunkirk’s Monica Pokoj delivers a pitch against Fredonia during Thursday’s CCAA Division 1 West softball game at Dunkirk High School. Pokoj was the winning pitcher in Dunkirk’s 11-6 victory over rival Fredonia.

“I thought maybe that was going to give us a little bit of a spark that we needed,” said Coach Beers.

Dunkirk responded with four runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning to extend the lead to 11-5. Fredonia could only add on one more run in the final inning.

“Confidence-wise, it’s through the roof right now,” said Gilmour of her team’s rivalry win. “Fredonia is a great team. Anytime you can come out on top against them is fantastic.”

Monica Pokoj picked up the win for Dunkirk, throwing all seven innings in the circle. Maddy Marsh was saddled with the loss.

“I just think they were the better team today,” said Coach Beers of Dunkirk.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen The Dunkirk Lady Marauders celebrate around Jessica Beehler at home plate after Beehler hit a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning of Thursday’s game between the Dunkirk Lady Marauders and the Fredonia Lady ‘Billies at Dunkirk High School.

The two teams face off again today, weather permitting.

“Just like the Chautauqua Lake game (earlier this week) it’s good that we get to play again (today),” said Beers. “There’s no reason to sit here and dwell on it. We just have to come out and make the corrections.”

Twitter: @bradencarmen