By SPENCER BATES
OLEAN — The Olean softball team had no shortage of veteran players returning to the roster for this season.
That experience shined through as the Huskies battled with Gowanda over the course of its season and home-opener.
The bats were hot from the jump and, after some early struggles in the pitching department, the latter innings were filled with Ks.
The Huskies responded to the Panthers’ first-inning run with four runs in the second. However, the visitors would immediately match that four-run inning with one of their own in the ensuing half frame.
Still, even with the output from its big inning having been erased, the resilience within the Olean team shined through. Their heads did not drop and over the next 3.5 innings, it out-scored Gowanda 3-1, to shift the pressure back onto its guests.
Unfortunately for Olean, which is being led by first-year head coach Ryan Nawrot, the Gowanda bats had the last say in the matter as they brought across three runs in the top of the seventh after having entered the frame down a run. The Huskies were unable to respond in the bottom of the frame as they fell 9-7 to the Panthers.
But despite the loss, Nawrot noted there were plenty of positives his team can take away from its first outing of the year.
“Overall it was a good performance, they played solid,” Nawrot said. “Gowanda had one game behind them already. This is our first game, and we had a lot of highlights. We had a lot of key points. We had a freshman pitcher that had some good strikeouts. … They look solid. And with it being the first game and a little cold, getting those inside pitches, I’m proud of them. I’m proud of the way they played. We got a couple of small things that we can improve on. But plain and simple, Gowanda got a hold of the ball. They hit really well, and we got to try to try to defend it better next time.”
Olean’s Tiana Maine (5) delivers a pitch to Gowanda. Maine tallied 11 strikeouts against the Panthers. (Hunter O. Lyle)
One of the biggest tasks that Nawrot had upon taking the head coaching position this season was finding a replacement for Emma Edwards, the Huskies’ ace in the circle who graduated after last season. With a limited roster, he alluded to the fact that there may come a time in which the pitching duties will need to be by-committee. But after the performance he got from freshman pitcher Tiana Maine, he will be able to rest a bit easier.
Maine, bouncing back from a third-inning slump, finished the game with 11 strikeouts.
“The fact that she’s striking out girls at the beginning part of their order (is great),” Nawrot said. “If we can get her consistency there, she’s gonna be a phenomenal pitcher. … Other than that slump she had (she was great), and those things happen, you kind of get in your head. We’re just gonna have to keep working with her on remaining calm and realizing the team’s behind her. We got some great fielders that can have her back. So, yeah, I’m really impressed by her. I’m really happy by the way she played.”
The Olean bats showed no fear either. Leading the way offensively was Ari Finch, Anna Bates and Allison Anastasia, who each had two hits on the night, combining for six of the team’s seven knocks.
Nawrot was enthusiastic about the lack of hesitation in the approach of his batters. It may have been a cold first day of the season, but there were no signs of uneasiness at the plate.
“They went after the ball,” Nawrot said. “They attacked the ball, and that’s what we need to continually do, is get that ball out in the field and make them make plays on us. I know we have a great hitting team, and I’m really happy with the way that they attacked the ball and went after it.”
The Huskies won’t have long to stew in the loss as they will look to bounce back in their next game, set for March 30 at home against Randolph.
AT OLEAN
Gowanda 104 010 3 R:9 H:8 E:5
Olean 041 200 0 R:7 H:7 E:2
Gow: Miller (2 SO, 3 BB) and Luther
OL: Maine (11 SO, 8 BB) and Bates
