SILVER CREEK — Spencer Harford’s single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning propelled the Silver Creek Black Knights to a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Westfield Wolverines on Friday night in a Section VI, Class C pre-quarterfinal baseball game at Silver Creek High School.

Both pitchers were in control for the game until the seventh inning, which saw a lot of change in momentum. Westfield (11-seed, Class C) scored all their runs in the seventh inning and Silver Creek (6-seed, Class C) topped it off with two in their half at-bat.

“Westfield played a fundamentally sound game, holding us down every time,” Silver Creek coach Mike Janisch stated. “We were stopped at every turn, unable to get the hit we needed. However, this is a prideful team. They think they have good opportunities to be successful. They know they have to work hard and they did so at the end of the game.”

Silver Creek broke the scoreless tie in the third inning of the game with thorough execution. Andre Rosario started off the rally with a single. After Chris VanCheri walked, Nick Dawley moved both runners into scoring position with a groundout. Jeremy Wilcox followed with an RBI on a ground ball as Rosario beat the throw home. Later in the inning, VanCheri scored on a wild pitch.

Both teams did little offensively after that time until the sixth inning, where they both had an opportunity. After Westfield left two runners stranded in the top half, Silver Creek failed to bring in Harford and Travis Drozdziel after their hits put them in scoring position.

Westfield fought hard to put together a rally in the seventh inning to score three runs to take the lead. Matt See and Mike Johnson were both hit by a pitch. Dylan Scriven reached on an error, which brought in See for the Wolverines first run of the game. At that time, Harford was pulled with one out and replaced by Rosario.

“Spencer was around 100 pitches, but he was starting to get inconsistent,” Janisch stated. “He did not have those problems early, but I did not want the game to get out of hand. Unfortunately, it did.”

After Bret Babcock was intentionally walked to load the bases, Colby Bills added an RBI single to tie the game. The ball was misplayed by the center fielder, which brought Scriven around to score.

“Spencer threw a great game,” Westfield head coach Dan Martin added. “We tried to play small ball and get on base, although we struggled to bring them around. Colby came through with a big hit, but it was unfortunate that Bret fell down rounding third because we could have had another run in.”

Silver Creek made a heads up play on a ground ball hit by Brock Schuster as the throw went home for a perfectly placed tag from VanCheri. Rosario was able to end the threat with a strikeout.

The Black Knights would follow with a rally of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Eight hitter Luke Zbytek took a free pass. Rosario followed with a double to put both runners in scoring position with no outs. At that time, pitcher Brad Babcock was pulled to put in his brother, Bret.

“At that time, they went through the order three times,” Martin added. “I felt that a new arm may have been the ticket.”

VanCheri was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, where a wild pitch moved up all the runners 90 feet. After a strikeout, an intentional walk to Jeremy Wilcox loaded the bases. Harford took advantage of his opportunity to drive the ball to deep left center field to bring home Rosario for the winning run.

“The loss was tough, but we played a great game,” added Martin. “After struggling this season, we turned the corner these last two games playing awesome baseball. I am so proud of them as it is an outstanding way to play to end this season.”

Harford pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs from two hits and three walks while striking out 11. Rosario gave a solid performance to get two outs, getting Silver Creek out of trouble in the seventh.

“Spencer threw an outstanding game,” Janisch stated. “He was in control and did not want to come out of the game.”

Brad Babcock gave a valiant effort in defeat, giving up four runs from five hits and three walks while fanning seven. According to Martin, “He was relaxed today. Brad was calm and pitched the way he is capable of.”

Rosario and Harford led the Black Knights offense with multiple hit games, while Wilcox and Drozdziel also recorded a single. Rosario had the lone extra base hit with a double.

“The lower part of the order had a good hitting day,” Janisch stated. “Unfortunately, we left a lot on base, but that is playoff baseball and you have to be ready in order to be successful.”

Westfield had three hits; a double by Bret Babcock while Bills and Brock Schuster both contributed with singles.

Four seniors played in their last game for the Wolverines; See, Brock Schuster, Bills, and Bret Babcock.

“Some have played in this program since eighth grade and were part of the teams that went to states,” Martin stated. “They are great leaders and worked hard. It is a tough way to see their high school careers end.”

Silver Creek advances to play at 3-seed Frewsburg on Tuesday in a Class C sectional quarterfinal game.