That more-than-four-decade drought finally came to an end Tuesday.

Aidan Kennedy and Spencer Kane combined on a five-hitter; Kane had three hits and drove in three runs; and Kennedy drilled a three-RBI double to propel the Trojans to a 16-2 five-inning victory over Dunkirk in a Division 1 game at Packard Field.

The win improves Southwestern’s record to 13-3 overall and 11-2 in the league, and secures at least a tie for the division crown with one league game remaining against Gowanda (13-5, 10-3), which lost 13-3 at Fredonia (11-4-1, 10-3).

“We feel like we have a special group of guys this year,” Brown said. “They’re all buying in and eveybody is doing their part. It’s not just our top three or four hitters. Everyone is contributing, all the pitchers are contributing. … That’s what makes it special.”

Southwestern’s Jameson Walsh looks the ball into his glove during Tuesday’s CCAA Division 1 baseball game against Dunkirk at Packard Field in Lakewood. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

In the top of the first inning, however, Dunkirk (6-6 in the league) appeared poised to put a monkey wrench in the host’s desire to end their extended division title drought. Leadoff hitter Javi DeJesus smoked a Kennedy offering that Jayce Neal tracked down in deep center field. Bryson Travis walked, Jack Lanski reached on an error and Nick Zatorski also walked. With the bases loaded and one out, the Marauders were on the verge of a big inning against Southwestern’s ace.

And then they weren’t.

Kennedy struck out Brady Corbett and then got Nate Pakulski to fly out to Neal to end the threat.

After that, it was all Trojans.

Southwestern sent nine batters to the plate in each of the first two innings to build an 8-0 lead and 12 more in the third frame when they tacked on eight more runs. While Dunkirk did push across two runs on three hits in the top of the third inning, it wasn’t nearly enough to threaten Southwestern’s bid at history.

“We didn’t capitalize enough,” Dunkirk coach Frank Jagoda said, “so that’s what we get. When they put the ball in play, we didn’t make plays.

“Jared’s got a good team. The kids are playing for him and he’s got the right combination of speed, the right combination of putting the ball in play and he’s got a couple of kids on the mound. I wish them well.”

Added Kennedy, who has been a member of the varsity since he was an eighth-grader: “At the beginning of the year, our goal was to win the league. To accomplish that and have a chance to win it outright is something huge for the program.”

NOTES: Lanski smacked a double for the Marauders’ lone extra-base hit. … Dunkirk is back in action this afternoon when it travels to Jamestown and then entertains Allegany-Limestone on Thursday. … Southwestern travels to Gowanda for a 7 p.m. game Thursday and then entertains Frewsburg in a nonleague game at 2 p.m. Saturday.