Gowanda Sports Report for Oct. 14

The ninth Annual Gowanda Fall Classic Softball Tournament was held at the George Dispenza Memorial Field on Saturday, Oct. 6.

A local team called the Bandits defeated Springville in extra innings to win the championship game.

Josh Lutz narrowly beat out a throw at first base that enabled the winning run to cross home plate in the bottom of the ninth inning. Dillon McMahon was the winning pitcher for the Bandits.

Tim Taber had pitched a shutout for Springville against the Bandits earlier in tournament. Taber and Nate Williams hit the only two home runs during the seven-game tournament. Williams was also the winner of the Home Run Derby.

Two other teams from Pinewoods and Dunkirk also participated.

The Gowanda Girls' Varsity Volleyball Team lost their first two games against Fredonia at home on Oct. 3 before storming back with three straight wins to take the match from the Hillbillies. Two nights later, also in the GCS gym, Olean defeated the Panthers for the second time this season in four games. Gowanda's record in CCAA play now stands at 5 wins against 3 losses.

Varsity cross-country coach Tim O'Donnell was quick to praise both the boys' and girls' cross-country teams for their recent effort at the McQuaid Invitational held at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester. Almost every Panther runner who competed in the same event last year showed a dramatic improvement in this year's event that attracted over 100 schools of different classifications (based on enrollments).

The Gowanda Co-ed youth soccer program wrapped up another successful campaign. The program welcomed 40 aspiring soccer players ages 5-10 this fall. Another five-week session will be held next spring beginning in May.

The Gowanda Recreation "Learn To Ski" Program at Holiday Valley will hold registrations from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22 at the village board room located at 27 East Main Street. Students in grades 5-12 from Gowanda and area school districts are eligible to register. The first ski date is Sunday, Jan. 6. Adults wishing to chaperone for the program are also encouraged to sign up at the same time. Call Recreation Director Mark Benton at 532-4053 or e-mail hidibenton@aol.com for more information.

Gowanda's Nick Crassi Jr. was second in the final standings at the Holland International Speedway this past summer. Crassi raced his #7 car in the Late Model Division.