The Fredonia Hillbillies (5-6, 2-4) were 7-3 winners over the Southwestern Trojans (3-3, 3-3) in Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West baseball game Wednesday.

Both teams entered the day coming off league losses, with Southwestern losing in an 11-inning marathon against Dunkirk on Monday.

In that game pitcher Aidan Kennedy maxed out his pitch count and fellow hurler Nate Johnson threw more than 90 pitches, making both players unavailable to pitch versus Fredonia.

Fredonia was playing their third game in three nights including road trips to Olean and Sweet Home. Fortunately for Fredonia, ace Owen Ludwig was available, and did not disappoint.

Ludwig went the distance, allowing only four hits, three walks, one earned run and recorded five strikeouts.

“Owen pitched a great game, like we knew he is capable of. He will continue to build off his effort today,” head coach Vince Gullo said.

Southwestern head coach Jared Brown turned to freshman Jameson Walsh on the hill.

Walsh got off to slow start, but settled down and pitched a solid four innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, two walks and six strikeouts.

Fredonia got to Walsh early, plating three runs in the bottom of the first. It started off with a lead-off walk drawn by Alex Rush followed by an infield hit from Dominic Gullo. Next up was Fredonia’s hottest hitter all year in Joey Vandette. Vandette singled to center, scoring Rush, and Gullo advanced to third. Later in the inning, both Gullo and Vandette score on wild pitches.

Fredonia was threatening in the bottom of the fourth with two runners on and Vandette once again up to bat. This time Vandette drilled a double, scoring Rush and Gullo, who recorded his second hit of the game prior, making the score 5-0.

Thanks to Johnson, Southwestern was able to get on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth when he singled, scoring Spencer Kane who had led off the inning with a single.

Johnson finished the night with two hits, one run scored an RBI and a walk. Fredonia responded scoring two runs in the bottom half of the fifth.

Calvin Ricker took over for Walsh on the hill for the Trojans.

“Clutch hits by Vandette and Owen Rush tonight. We needed those hits to grab the momentum and win the game,” Gullo said.

Fredonia plays Allegheny-Limestone on Friday at home and Southwestern will play in Portville today.