Gowanda Sports Report for May 20

High school sports are in full swing as the teams begin to focus on the post-season playoffs that begin the week of May 21.

Collins resident and St. Francis High School pitcher Matt Minnick pitched a complete game two hitter as the Red Raiders defeated Nichols 5-1 on May 10. The sophomore left-hander recorded eight strikeouts as his team improved their overall season record to sevens wins against three losses.

The Gowanda Central School JV softball team lost their first game of the season to Olean by a score of 11-2 in Olean on May 10. Gowanda had won their first 12 games of the season including the previous meeting against the Huskies.

After an impressive win at Allegany-Limestone on May 9, a return trip to the southern tier to face Olean the following day was too much for the JV baseball team to overcome. After taking a 2-1 lead in the third inning, the baby Panthers committed several errors that led to multiple runs for the opponent. When the game ended, Gowanda was on the wrong end of a 9-2 score. Shane DeLeo and Josh Mitchell each hit doubles in a losing effort.

Wilson defeated Gowanda in varsity lacrosse at Hillis Field on May 9 by a score of 17-2. The Panther stickmen are still looking for their first win of the season.

Lack of hitting has hampered the GCS varsity baseball team recently as Allegany-Limestone defeated the Panthers 3-2 in eight innings on May 9. The game was played at Panther Park. The host team only collected five hits during the contest. Gowanda had defeated the Gators the previous week by a score of 4-2.

C.J. Sawatis pitched a complete game and struck out three batters as the GCS varsity softball team defeated Allegany-Limestone 9-8 at Panther Park on May 9. Skye Ondus, Hunter White and Tia Thompson each had two hits to secure the win. Gowanda improves to 4-6 in CCAA league competition.

The Gowanda Co-ed Youth Soccer program for children ages 6-12 will hold their first of six consecutive Wednesday night sessions on May 23.The program teaches fundamentals and has scrimmage games each week at the George Dispenza Memorial Field located on Broadway Road. Previous soccer experience is not mandatory. Call Mark Benton at 532-4053 for more information.