Falconer shortstop Tess Spangenburg dives for a groundball during Saturday’s Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West softball game against Fredonia at Ernie Strickland Field. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

FALCONER — On the bus ride to the south county Saturday morning, Fredonia softball coach Jesse Beers found himself in a conundrum as he was considering how he was going to fill out his lineup card.

The question was whether he was going to have Sarah Davis swing the bat or just play the outfield.

“She makes a lot of contact and she’s really fast, so it is sort of like having another leadoff hitter at the bottom of the order,” Beers said.

The sophomore centerfielder apparently has a little power, too.

Davis, the ninth-place hitter, affirmed her coach’s decision to have her swing the bat was the right one as she belted a grand slam home run to highlight a seven-run first inning that propelled the Hillbillies to a big early lead en route to a 17-10 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West victory over Falconer at Ernie Strickland Field.

The win, Fredonia’s second in as many days, raised its record to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the division, while the Golden Falcons fell to 0-1 overall and in the league.

After nearly two years between games, neither team looked particularly rusty swinging the bats.

In fact, the Hillbillies smacked five hits in the first inning and five more in the six-run second to build a 13-4 lead. In both frames, they batted around, which was enough run support for the pitching tandem of Marissa Cash and Jordan Lucas.

Lila Cameron led Fredonia with three hits, including a triple, drove in four runs and scored three; Hailee Laurito had three hits, including a double, and drove in a run; and Lucas (RBI), Nevaeh Zadzilka (two RBIs) and Kyleigh Waterman (two RBIs) all finished with two hits.

“We knew coming in they were going to swing the bats, so we kind of had to,” Beers said. ” … To be quite honest, we thought we were going to score this year from what we’ve seen in the cage in the gym. Defensively and pitching? We’re still trying to kind of feel out where we are. I think everybody is in that same boat.”

Tess Spangenburg paced the Golden Falcons with four hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning, and three RBIs; Nicole Youngberg had three hits and drove in a pair of runs; and Kayla Lynn, Macy Youngberg (two RBIs) and Ashley Pierce all had two hits.

“(Fredonia) did come out aggressive,” Falconer coach Sadie Stuart said. “I think we had some jitters and first-day nerves and couldn’t really get it together (early), but I’m super proud of how we responded.”

All told, the teams combined for 29 hits.

“It was really nice to be able to swing the bats and, hopefully we can build on that moving into Tuesday,” Beers said.

Fredonia entertains Dunkirk that day, while Falconer travels to Jamestown.

DELLOW HURLS TWO-HITTER

WESTFIELD — Haleigh Dellow threw a two-hitter as Westfield opened Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 West play with a 12-0 shutout of Frewsburg on Saturday.

Working with catcher Sydney Hotchkiss, Dellow struck out 16 Bears in her complete-game effort.

Dellow helped herself at the plate by going 2 for 2 with four RBIs. Bianca Seger also doubled for the Wolverines (1-0, 1-0).

Braelyn Stelmack and Reagan Chitester each singled for the Bears (1-1, 1-1).