The Panthers led 4-2 after the first inning before the Cardinals scored three runs in the top of the second to take a 5-4 lead.

But then Gowanda took the lead for good.

Gavin Phillips was hit by a pitch, Blake Herman singled and John Smuda was walked to load the bases with no outs. Phillips eventually scored on a wild pitch and John Ondus walked to reload the bases as Randolph turned to Ashton Bushey on the mound. Tyler Smith greeted Bushey with a two-run single to right field and Herman was hit by a pitch to load the bases again before Maddox Browning grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice. Alex Pachucinski then grounded out to force in the ninth run.

Smith had two hits, including a double, three RBIs and two runs scored; Browning had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs; Phillips had two hits and five runs scored; Herman had two hits and two runs scored; and Smuda drove in two runs for the Panthers.

Gowanda’s Maddox Browning hits an RBI double during Monday’s Section VI Class C quarterfinal against Randolph in Gowanda. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Phillips, Smuda and Herman combined to strike out six on the mound.

Isaac Hind had three hits, including a double, and three runs scored; Bushey doubled and drove in two runs; Dillon Schrader had two hits and an RBI; and Luke Pagett had two hits and three RBIs for the Cardinals.

Gowanda will travel to Panama to take on No. 1 Clymer/Sherman/Panama on Wednesday.

LONG THROWS GEM

PORTVILLE — Joe Long was nearly perfect for Portville.

That was plenty for the Panthers.

Long threw a no-hitter with nine strikeouts as No. 2 Portville beat No. 7 Ellicottville 5-0 in a Class C quarterfinal.

With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Long still had a perfect game but walked Eagles No. 3 hitter Lucas Marsh.

The Panthers scored one run in the first inning and one more in the third before breaking the game open in the fifth. Maxx Yehl provided the biggest hit with a two-run home run to make it 5-0.

Long threw 56 of his 82 pitches for strikes.

“He’s got it all. He’s a complete pitcher. He’s got a changeup and a curveball he can throw at any time in the count,” Ellicottville head coach Chris Mendell said of Long. “I don’t think he fell behind a batter all night until Lucas.”

Portville leadoff hitter Michael Cole was 2 for 2 with two walks, three runs scored and three stolen bases while No. 2 hitter Nick Petryzak was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored.

“Their top of the order really hit,” Mendell said.

Marsh allowed five hits and five walks while striking out eight for the Eagles.

“He by far pitched his best game of the year,” Mendell said of his junior. “He was in command the entire game until the fifth. His changeup was the best all year.”

RED DRAGONS ADVANCE

BEMUS POINT — No. 3 Maple Grove had little trouble dispatching of No. 6 Salamanca in a Class D quarterfinal.

Tucker Fenton worked six innings, struck out 12 and scattered four hits as the Red Dragons (9-2) rolled to a 10-1 victory.

Jackson Gowan, Fenton (double) and Colin McPherson all had two hits for Maple Grove.

Jacob Vaillancourt didn’t allow a base runner in his one inning of relief.

Four Salamanca players had a single apiece.

The Red Dragons will travel to No. 1 Portville on Wednesday. The Panthers defeated No. 7 Ellicottville 5-0.

SOUTHWESTERN FALLS

MEDINA — Zach Fike threw five-inning one-hitter with 10 strikeouts as No. 1 Medina blanked No. 8 Southwestern 10-0 in Class B2 quarterfinal play.

Aidan Paul had two hits and two RBIs; Corey Saj tripled and drove in two runs; Fike had two RBIs; and Brian Fry doubled for the Mustangs.

RED RAIDERS FALL

WILLIAMSVILLE — No. 8 Jamestown saw its season come to an end, falling to No. 1 Williamsville North, 10-0, in six innings.

Brendan Morris worked the first five innings and struck out eight for the win, before yielding to reliever Ben Reynolds who preserved the shutout.

Conner Hoehman led the way offensively for the Spartans, collecting a double and two triples.

The Red Raiders had two hits, both singles, by Juan Matos and Kam Melendez.