The final showdown between future Division I softball pitchers and Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 West rivals Haleigh Dellow of Westfield and Olivia Herrington of Chautauqua Lake took place on Tuesday, once again with the league title on the line.

While George Mason University commit Dellow and Canisius College commit Herrington usually steal the show, the depth of both lineups made their mark on the game.

That was the case in the bottom of the first inning when Westfield sophomore catcher Sydney Hotchkiss, down to her last strike with two outs, hammered a three-run inside-the-park home run that also scored Mackenzie Schumaker and Madyson Burgess that gave the Wolverines an early 4-0 lead.

That lead proved to be insurmountable, despite a great pushback by Chautauqua Lake, giving Westfield the league title in a 5-3 victory.

Chautauqua Lake pitcher Olivia Herrington delivers to the plate during Tuesday's game. OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms

“In the past, the pitching was way ahead of the hitters,” Westfield head coach Shawn Gnadzinski said about both teams. “I think what’s happened is that these hitters have gotten pretty darn good, too. Unbelievable that these girls are able to put the ball in play, both teams great hitting all the way through. It’s not dominated by the pitchers anymore. It’s complete teams on both sides.”

Just because the spotlight came off Dellow and Herrington didn’t mean the two didn’t showcase why they will both will be pitching at the Division I level next year. Dellow finished with 11 strikeouts, including striking out the side in the top of the seventh to hold on for the win, while Herrington struck out 12 batters in her six innings.

“I say it over and over,” Chautauqua Lake head coach Sue Teets said about Herrington and Dellow. “You’ve got two D-1 commits here. I told Olivia I can’t wait to see her play next year. They are definitely both ready for their D-1 pitching debuts. I think they know the game well, they spin the ball well, they know the batters. You can just see the growth and maturity in both of them the past three years and it’s always been a game.”

Both lineups showed they are ready for the postseason, and defending Section VI Class D champion Westfield (17-1, 12-0) showed its power off with Hotchkiss, Eva Gnadzinski and Tanleigh Bestine all connecting on big extra-base hits. Hotchkiss homered in the first, but Gnadzinski and Bestine belted a triple and a double back-to-back. Westfield was willing to settle for two doubles, but Gnadzinski did not heed her father’s advice when rounding second base and slid safely in front of him at third for her triple.

“Syd’s rounding, coming around third and it was just a feel,” Coach Gnadzinski stated. “It was going to be close. For Syd to get an inside-the-park home run, good for her, she hasn’t had that in a while, especially inside-the-park. Then my daughter, I was telling her to stop and, of course, she runs right through it. We play pesky and I encourage the peskiness, but they’re going to give coach a heart attack one of these times, for sure.”

Westfield pitcher Haleigh Dellow delivers to the plate. OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms

Already down senior starting catcher Jenna Waters, the Thunderbirds needed some players to step up and both freshmen Jillian Miller and Lucy Gates did exactly that, hitting 2-3 behind Herrington. Miller reached base three times after working two walks and stroking a single which led to her scoring two of Chautauqua Lake’s three runs and Gates reached base on two bunt singles.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my team,” Teets added. “We had one inning that didn’t go the way we intended it to go, people are playing out of position since my catcher is hurt and they stepped up to it. … I changed the lineup today since Jenna went down last week. I was trying to pan out who could lay a bunt down. Both Jillian and Lucy stepped it up big time, Alexis (Delcamp) seeing the ball, Karagan (Fairbanks) coming in and putting the bunt down, I would have never thought that off of Dellow.”

Despite building an early 4-0 lead, Westfield had to hold on for some big-game moments by Dellow in the circle and her teammates in the field. Already giving up one run in the top of the third, Westfield loaded the bases and a strikeout from Dellow gave Chautauqua Lake (10-3, 10-2) two outs. Alexis Delcamp connected with a ball that looked destined to land in right field and would have surely scored two runs, but Madyson Burgess dove and made the catch to secure the ball and the third out.

“We pride ourself on our defense,” Gnadzinski said. “Madyson Burgess was amazing in right field. I think she had four or five balls that she played. Super proud of her, super proud of the way the girls played defense tonight. That’s what won the game.”

Westfield (17-1, 12-0) holding on 5-3 delivered the Wolverines another Division 2 West league crown.

Chautauqua Lake's Jill Miller scores her second run of the game. OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms

Westfield shortstop Tanleigh Bestine throws to first for an out during Tuesday’s Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 West softball game at Westfield. OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms

Chautauqua Lake shortstop Cayzlee Johnson makes a catch in front of second baseman Jill Miller. OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms

Westfield’s Haleigh Dellow slides safely third base ahead of the tag of Chautauqua Lake’s Mallory Morrison during Tuesday’s Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 West softball game at Westfield. OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms

Westfield's Sydney Hotchkiss slides under the tag of Chautauqua Lake shortstop Cayzlee Johnson to steal second base. OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms