Friday afternoon’s result solidified that fact, as the Silver Creek/Forestville Black Knights defeated the Brocton Bulldogs 7-2 in a nonleague game to close the regular season.

“I’m happy with this. I can look at it and say that this is a really neat accomplishment,” Janisch said after the game.

With history on the line, the Black Knights (12-7) wasted no time jumping out in front. After starting pitcher John Steinwachs held the Bulldogs (8-9) scoreless in the top of the first inning, Silver Creek/Forestville responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Brayson Parsell and Joe Villafranca had RBI singles in the frame.

Brocton threatened with a run in the second inning but stranded the bases loaded.

Silver Creek/Forestville Black Knights batter Kamran Sakpal drove in a run with a double in the second inning of Friday’s baseball game against the Brocton Bulldogs in Silver Creek. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

In the bottom half of the inning, Silver Creek/Forestville responded with two more runs, including an RBI double by Kamran Sakpal and another RBI single from Parsell. The Black Knights led 5-1 after two innings, and held a lead of at least three runs the rest of the way.

Steinwachs earned the victory on the mound for Silver Creek/Forestville with six innings of work, only allowing a pair of runs. He also gave the Black Knights even more wiggle room with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning.

“He threw the ball very efficiently,” Janisch said of his pitcher. “He didn’t get into long innings, and that is an important aspect.”

Steinwachs was relieved after six innings of work so that Aiden Piccolo could finish the game. Piccolo took the responsibility seriously and ended it in style by striking out the side.

“The reason we went to (Piccolo) at the end was strictly because we needed to get him an inning of work before Monday,” Janisch said. “John could have gone the last inning without even batting an eyelash.”

Even in defeat, Brocton head coach Rob Fetterick recognized the significance of Mike Janisch’s accomplishment after the game. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

Throughout the game, there was no mention of Janisch’s potential milestone win on the line, as the county baseball legend diverted the spotlight off of himself. The number 510 was not highlighted until his team shouted it in unison after a postgame victory speech from Janisch and the coaching staff.

Former Falconer head coach Denny Meszaros finished at 509 career victories — a mark Janisch matched Thursday night with a 13-2 win over North Collins. Friday’s win, the third win of the final week of the regular season for the Black Knights, put Janisch in sole possession of the county record.

“Denny Meszaros had 509, and Denny and I were friends,” Janisch said. “I coached against him. We battled back and forth — we had some of the greatest contests — but that was 20-30 years ago.”

Meszaros died unexpectedly last November.

“I appreciate him so much. His tragic passing last year bothered me a lot,” Janisch said. “This was special because I was going past him.”

Silver Creek/Forestville Black Knights pitcher John Steinwachs delivers a pitch during Friday’s non-league baseball game against the Brocton Bulldogs at Silver Creek High School. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

Brocton head coach Rob Fetterick was unaware of the accomplishment until after the game, at which point the significance of the result brought tears to his eyes.

“It’s really cool to be part of this — I didn’t even know it was going on. I’m happy, even though it was in a losing effort, I’ll hand this one to him and his success,” Fetterick said.

Fetterick began his coaching career at Cattaraugus-Little Valley as an assistant under Chuck Senn, whose 601 career wins remain atop the list of all Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association schools. It was as an assistant coach when Fetterick first got to know Janisch.

“He’s a class act. I would consider him one of my mentors,” Fetterick said. “It’s kinda cool, it brings tears to your eyes to think how far you’ve come. He’s seen me grow since I was a whipper-snapper in the coaching world. Mike is a great guy, he’s always there — if I need something, I’ll give him a call. He’s always there to lend a helping hand. You can’t say enough about him. He is the face of baseball, him and Chuck.”

“The next in line is Chuck Senn at 601, and I ain’t getting there,” Janisch joked.

Another common thread for both teams Friday — in the final game of the regular season with playoffs next week on the horizon — was the increased opportunities for the unheralded members of the roster.

“It was nice to see the young kids hit the ball, and some of the kids who hadn’t necessarily played as much all year get a chance to do something. It was the best of all worlds,” Janisch said.

Fetterick, after coaching his fourth game in five days, said, “Today was more about getting some guys some playing time that haven’t had a lot of time out in the field. … Those role players that keep coming back to practice every day, they need their time too.”

Janisch’s accomplishment was celebrated on social media Friday night by many, including current Canisius College baseball coach Matt Mazurek, who wrote, “Living Legend! Not where I am without what this man taught me.”

Many of Janisch’s former players would likely share a similar sentiment, but Janisch himself is every bit as appreciative of the time they shared together over his time as a coach, a mentor, and a role model for more than four decades.

“The whole point of coaching is to get to work with kids,” Janisch said. “This has been an awfully nice group to work with — possibly the nicest group I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach, so that makes it just that much better. … I just love these kids. They are fantastic.”