On Tuesday, the Golden Falcons and Wolverines tested each other for the first time.

Falconer, last spring’s Class C champion, led 1-0 early before rallying to tie twice later in the game, but Westfield manufactured a run without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on in the top of the seventh inning for a 4-3 victory on a windy afternoon behind Westfield Academy & Central School.

“The thing I love about this team is that we’re young, but we never let any lumps get us down. I worked really closely with our athletic director to make some really challenging nonleague games,” Falconer head coach Kayleigh Sieber said. ” … The better teams you play, the better you’re going to be down the stretch. I’m really looking at trying to get white hot when we’re in league play and we’re working on power points.”

The Wolverines’ Brynn Ernewein opened the bottom of the sixth inning by getting hit by a pitch and then stole second before a one-out walk to No. 9 hitter Drew Ernewein ended in a wild pitch sending Brynn Ernewein to third. With runners at the corners, the Golden Falcons turned to Hannah Melquist in the circle. Two-time Post-Journal/OBSERVER Player of the Year Haleigh Dellow greeted Melquist with a grounder to the middle of the infield and Brynn Ernewein beat the throw to the plate to make it 4-3.

Westfield’s Haleigh Dellow delivers to the plate during Tuesday’s nonleague game against Falconer in Westfield. OBSERVER Photo by Matt Spielman

Falconer did not go quietly in the top of the seventh inning. Emily Zaranek led off with a single on a pop-up in front of home plate that nearly spun into foul territory. Dani Krenzer then laid down a sacrifice bunt and Zaranek raced all the way to third base on the play. Westfield head coach Shawn Gnadzinski then called timeout and went over the defensive play with his infield.

Dellow made sure defense wouldn’t be necessary as she struck out the final two Golden Falcons swinging to secure the victory.

“What we had in place was a play we’ve been practicing. … It felt like the right moment,” Coach Gnadzinski said, “but we didn’t have to worry about it because Haleigh is Haleigh and Haleigh is a little different than everybody else.”

Dellow, who has committed to NCAA Division I George Mason University in the fall, finished with 16 strikeouts while walking four in a seven-hitter.

“Our defense wasn’t as sharp as it normally is and she wasn’t as sharp as she normally is,” Gnadzinski said of Dellow. “To be able to pull off what she was able to do today and get out of those innings … she’s able to bear down when she has to and steal the moment.”

Westfield’s Keara Kincaid throws late across the diamond as Falconer’s Angelina Fiasco beats the play at first base during Tuesday’s nonleague game in Westfield. Looking on is the Wolverines’ Tanleigh Bestine. OBSERVER Photo by Matt Spielman

Emily Rhinehart was equally impressive in the circle for Falconer, allowing just three hits in five-plus innings while striking out eight and walking seven.

“I have two really young and talented pitchers that I rely heavily on,” Sieber said. ” … Emily Rhinehart threw a gem of a game and had a lot of different pitches working for her that she was able to throw for strikes.”

The Golden Falcons led 1-0 in the first inning after Rhinehart singled off a Westfield infielder’s glove and then stole second. On the stolen base, the Wolverines’ throw went into center field and Rhinehart scored on the play.

Westfield answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Dellow led off with a walk and stole second and third before Eva Gnadzinski walked. Makenzie Schumaker then laid down a one-out sacrifice bunt to score Dellow and Gnadzinski scored on a wild pitch.

“I do feel like they are going to be careful. I’m trying to get her to not chase anything and be patient,” Coach Gnadzinski said of Dellow’s approach in the leadoff spot. “Take those walks because she is going to steal second base. … We’ll have our Nos. 2-4 hitters up that I believe in. … Being the hitter that she is, I know it has to be hard to be picky and not chase those pitches.”

Falconer’s Emily Rhienhart dives into home to score the Golden Falcons’ first run of Tuesday’s nonleague game against Westfield. Standing is Wolverines catcher Sydney Hotchkiss. OBSERVER Photo by Matt Spielman

Falconer tied the game in the top of the second inning as Melquist singled with one out and stole second before Angelina Fiasco’s two-out RBI single.

The Wolverines took a 3-2 lead in their half of the third inning when Dellow walked to open the frame and stole second with one out. After a walk and a bunt single loaded the bases, Madyson Burgess drew a walk to force in a run.

The Golden Falcons tied the game for the final time in the fifth inning as Emily Zaranek led off with a single and went to second on a one-out sacrifice bunt by Mylie Zaranek. Emily Zaranek then stole third base and scored when the throw went into left field.

But with a chance to take the lead in the sixth or rally to tie in the seventh, Falconer left three runners on base.

“I would’ve loved to cash in,” Sieber said. “There were a couple of opportunities where we ended up leaving runners stranded in scoring position.”

Falconer’s Emily Rhinehart delivers to the plate during Tuesday’s nonleague game against Westfield in Westfield. OBSERVER Photo by Matt Spielman

NOTES: Emily Zaranek and Fiasco each had a pair of hits for Falconer. … Burgess doubled in the first inning for Westfield, but was stranded at second base. … Falconer (0-1), which is in Class B2 this season, opens Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West play Thursday at home against Olean. … Westfield (2-0), which remains in Class D this season, opens CCAA Division 2 West play Thursday at home against Panama.