In a rare Sunday afternoon game, Black Knights pitcher Maddie Blair dominated the Panthers, despite injuring her non-throwing shoulder on a swing midway through the game. The right-hander tossed a three-hitter with five strikeouts while not allowing a walk. Sixty-seven of her 93 pitches went for strikes.

Silver Creek (5-2, 4-1), which saw its head coach resign Friday, jumped on Gowanda (5-3, 2-2) starting pitcher Addison Kota with a three-run first inning.

Kyla Ziegler singled with one out and Priya Sakpal walked before Blair reached on an error to load the bases. With Makayla Kelly at the plate, Ziegler scored on a passed ball before Kelly followed with a two-run single.

In the Black Knights’ third inning, Ziegler walked and Sakpal reached on an error before Blair reached on another error to plate Ziegler. The second error allowed Sakpal to score all the way from first on the play. Kelly then grounded out and Blair scored from third to make it 6-0.

OBSERVER Photo by Matt Spielman The Black Knights’ Priya Sakpal slides safely into home plate before Gowanda catcher Helene Wallschlaeger can secure a throw.

With the bases empty, Bauer then drove a 1-2 pitch over the outfield fence to make it 7-0.

Silver Creek scored its final four runs in the top of the seventh inning. Rylee Weiskerger and Ziegler opened the frame with singles before a double steal and a walk to Sakpal loaded the bases. Blair then bunted and the throw to the plate looking for a forceout hit the bat laying on the ground, allowing Weiskerger to score. As the ball got away from Gowanda’s catcher, Ziegler scored all the way from second and the other two runners ended up on second and third. Kelly then grounded out allowing Sakpal to score and Bauer grounded out, which brought Blair in from third.

CeCe John tripled and singled for the Panthers. Their only other hit was a single by Lauren Kelly. None of the seven runs Kota allowed in three innings were earned. She struck out three and walked three while allowing three hits. Gracie Eddy pitched the final four innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out two.

OBSERVER Photo by Matt Spielman Gowanda’s Holland Browning throws across the infield during Sunday’s CCAA Division 3 softball game against Silver Creek in Gowanda.