WAVERLY — Waverly drew first blood, but Athens used a big fifth inning to break open a tie game en route to a 9-3 win here Saturday morning in the opening game of the “Battle at the Border” baseball showcase.

“After the first inning, we settled down and played great defense the rest of the game,” said Athens coach Charlie Havens. “And, we hit the ball pretty well.”

“We were able to put together a big inning,” added Havens. “We capitalized on a couple of their mistakes and scored some runs with two outs; that was big.”

““Athens took advantage of a couple of our mistakes and had a big inning in the fifth, and that big inning was hard for us to recover from,” said Waverly coach Kyle McDuffee.

Athens improves to 8-6 on the season, while Waverly falls to 0-1.

“I think there were some first-game jitters,” said McDuffee.

Walks to junior Thomas Hand and freshman Jay Pipher, and a single by freshman Joey Tomasso loaded the bases for the Wolverines in the bottom of the first inning.

With one out, Waverly took the lead on an Athens error, and junior Kaden Wheeler followed with an RBI single to give Waverly a 2-0 lead.

Junior Brennan Traub capped the rally with an RBI groundout to make it 3-0.

The Wildcats answered with three runs in the top of the second inning.

Sophomore Lucas Kraft reached on an error lead off the frame, then with one out, junior Kaden Setzer walked and and sophomore Gage Warner reached on an infield single to load the bases.

Senior Kyler Setzer put the Wildcats on the board with an RBI single, and junior Karter Rude tied the game with a line-drive, two RBI double to left field.

Both pitchers — Athens junior Mason Lister, and Traub — settled in and the game remained tied at 3-3 until the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth inning, Pipher, on in relief for Waverly, retired the first two Athens batters, then ran into trouble.

After sophomore Jaren Glisson walked, Kaden Setzer and sophomore Gage Warner were hit by pitches to load the bases. Kyler Setzer stroked a two-run single to put the Wildcats up 5-3, and Rude followed with an RBI single to make it 6-3.

Two errors led to two more runs and Athens led 8-3 after 4 1/2 innings.

Lister led off the top of the sixth with a double, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Glisson to provide the final margin.

Rude had three hits, including a pair of doubles, scored one run, and collected three RBI, and Kyler Setzer singled twice, scored two runs, and had four RBI to pace Athens’ seven-hit attack.

Lister doubled and scored one run in the win, while Warner singled and scored a run, Kaden Setzer scored two runs, Glisson scored one run and drove in one run, and Kraft crossed the plate once.

Lister earned the win for the Wildcats, allowing three runs — two earned — on five hits, while striking out seven and walking two in five innings of work.

“Lister did a nice job. He kept the ball down, and really kept us off balance,” said McDuffee.

Sophomore Cam Sullivan finished off the game with two perfect innings of relief.

Juniors Caden Hollywood and Traub each singled and drove in a run, while Hand and Tomasso each singled and scored one run, and Wheeler singled to account for Waverly’s five hits. Pipher scored a run.

Traub gave up three runs — all unearned — on three hits, while striking out three and walking two in three innings of work. Pipher was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs — four earned — on four hits, while striking out five and walking one in four innings of relief.

WAVERLY — Junior Caydence Macik supplied the offense, and sophomore Aliyah Butler tossed a complete game to lead Athens to a 14-3 win over Waverly here Saturday afternoon in the second game of the “Battle at the Border” softball showcase.

Macik had three hits, including two home runs, scored three runs, and collected six RBI to lead Athens at the plate, while freshman Ashlyn VanFleet doubled and singled, scored two runs, and drove in two runs, and senior Audrey Hatch doubled and singled, scored three runs, and knocked in one run.

Butler and senior Mallory Mummert each singled twice and scored two runs in Athens’ 17-hit attack, while Braelynn Wood singled twice, senior Harley Sullivan singled scored two runs, and drove in one run, sophomore Addy Repsher singled and drove in one run, and Ciara Devine and sophomore Alli Thoman each added one single.

Butler allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out seven and walking one in complete-game effort.

The Lady Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on consecutive singles by Mummert, Wood, and Coyle, and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Hatch.

A pair of error put runners on first and third for the Wildcats to start the third inning, then Repsher lined an RBI single to left field to make it 2-0.

After an RBI groundout off the bat of VanFleet made it 3-0, the Lady Wildcats scored a pair of runs on a two-out error to make it 5-0.

Bella Romano put Waverly on the board in the home half of the third inning with a two-run single to trim the deficit to 5-2, but that is as close as the Lady Wolverines would get.

Hatch led off the top of the fourth inning with a double, and Sullivan reach on an error. Macik’s first home run — a line drive over the center-field fence — made it 8-2.

An RBI double by VanFleet, and an RBI single by Wood pushed the lead to 10-2.

Michaela Lauper’s RBI double in the bottom of the inning cut the lead to 10-3, but back-to-back singles by Hatch and Sullivan and Macik’s second three-run shot — a drive over the left-field fence, made it 13-3.

Athens tacked on an unearned run in the sixth inning to provide the final margin.

Sidney Tomasso singled twice and scored one run, and Romano singled and drove in two runs to pace Waverly’s six-hit attack, while Lauper doubled and drove in one run, Ennis singled and scored one run, freshman Peyton Shaw added a single, and Alyssa Sindoni scored one run.

The Lady Wildcats, now 13-3 (they topped Tioga 10-5 later in the day) hosts Wellsboro Wednesday, while Waverly (1-1) hosts Watkins Glen.

WYSOX — Athens piled 13 runs across the plate in the fourth inning — all with two outs — en route to a 21-4 four-inning rout of Towanda here Friday afternoon in NTL Large School Division baseball action.

The Wildcats took banged out nine hits in the win, and took advantage of 11 base on balls, and five Towanda errors.

Athens took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by sophomore Cam Sullivan.

Kaden Setzer ripped a two-RBI double in the second inning, and later scored on an error. Junior Karter Rude scored the final run in the rally with a steal of home.

The Wildcats added three unearned runs in the third inning to stretch its lead to 8-0.

Rude, sophomore Caleb Nichols, Dylan Merritt, and Garrett Thetga each had two-run singles in the fourth inning.

Kaden Setzer doubled, scored two runs, and collected three RBI, while Rude singled, scored two runs, stole two bases, and drove in two runs, and Nichols singled, scored twice, stole three bases, and knocked in two runs to pace Athens at the plate.

Merritt and Thetga each singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs in the win, while Kyler Setzer singled and scored three runs, sophomore Gage Warner singled, scored twice, and drove in one run, and Carson Smith and Sullivan each singled and knocked in one run.

Sophomore Lucas Kraft scored three runs for the Wildcats, while junior Tucker Brown scored two runs and drove in one run, and sophomore Jaren Glisson, senior Ben Vough and Jared Peterson each scored one run.

Kraft was the beneficiary of the Wildcat offensive onslaught. He allowed four runs — all unearned — on three hits, while striking out four and walking none to earn the win.

The Wildcats, now 7-6, returns to action Saturday. They play at Waverly at 10 a.m., then play at Tioga at 1 p.m.

WYSOX — Athens plated three runs in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead for good on its way to a 9-5 win over Towanda here Friday afternoon in NTL Large School softball action.

Senior Audrey Hatch led off the game with a single, stole second, and eventually scored on a wild pitch to give the Lady Wildcats a quick 1-0 lead.

In the second inning, sophomore Addy Repsher walked, and freshman Ashlyn VanFleet hit a line drive to right field that eluded the outfielder, and she circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run to push the lead to 3-0.

Saige Greenland’s RBI double in the bottom of the third inning put Towanda on the board. Greenland later scored on an error to trim the deficit to 3-2.

Athena Chacona a led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a double, and scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Addie Maynard to tie the game at 3-3.

Athens sophomore pitcher Aliyah Butler was able to escape further damage with a strikeout, and a come-backer to the pitcher’s circle.

Senior Harley Sullivan led off the top of the fifth inning with a double. After junior Caydence Macik walked, Butler laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third.

A pair of wild pitches scored both runners, and allowed senior Mallory Mummert to reach first base on a dropped third strike. Mummert took second on a passed ball, and eventually scored on a steal of home to make it 6-3.

Athens added two runs in the sixth inning on a single by Hatch, a double by Sullivan, and a two-out, two-RBI single by Butler.

Braelynn Wood’s RBI single gave Athens a 9-3 lead after 6 1/2 innings.

Jocelyn Bennett’s two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning provided the final margin.

VanFleet was 4-for-4 with two runs scored, two stolen bases, and one RBI, while Sullivan doubled twice, scored two runs and drove in one run, and Hatch singled and scored two runs to lead Athens’ 11-hit attack.

Butler singled and drove in two runs in the win, while Macik singled and scored one run, and Repsher and Wood each singled and drove in one run. Mummert scored one run and knocked in one run, and sophomore Alli Thoman crossed the plate once.

Butler earned the win in relief. She allowed two runs — both unearned — on six hits, while striking out two and walking none in four innings of work.

Saige Greenland, Bennett, and Chacona each had two hits to lead Towanda’s nine-hit attack.

The Lady Wildcats, now 11-3, return to action Saturday. They play at Waverly at noon., then play Tioga at Waverly at 2 p.m.

ROME — Sophomore Thailey Franklin tossed a four-hitter to lead Northeast Bradford to an 11-1 five-inning win over Athens here Wednesday afternoon in NTL softball action.

“This game is all about pitching, and (Thailey) Franklin is the best pitcher we’ve seen this season,” said Athens coach Mickey Farrell. “She made us look bad, and no one else has been able to do that.”

Northeast Bradford built a 9-0 lead through four innings, then answered Athens’ run in the top of the fifth with two in the home half to invoke the 10-run “mercy” rule.

“They really hurt us with a lot of two-strike hits, and quite a few of them were 0-2 pitches,” said Farrell.

The top two hitters in the Lady Wildcat line-up accounted for all four of their hits. Senior Aubrey Hatch doubled and singled, and scored one run, and senior Harley Sullivan doubled and singled, and drove in one run. The remainder of the Athens line-up was 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts.

Franklin struck out eight and walked one in earning the win.

Northeast Bradford took advantage of 10 base on balls, and four Athens errors.

Maisie Neuber homered and doubled, scored two runs, and drove in three runs, while Mikayla Post doubled and singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs, and Kayleigh Thoman doubled and singled, scored one run, and knocked in one run to pace NEB at the plate.

Athens, now 10-3, travels to Towanda Friday.

ROME — Athens overcame an early deficit, thanks in large part to a strong pitching performance by sophomore Cameron Sullivan, in a 10-4 win over Northeast Bradford here Wednesday afternoon in NTL baseball action.

Junior Karter Rude walked to lead off the game, stole second and third base, then scored on an error to give the Wildcats a quick 1-0 lead.

NEB answered quickly with first-inning doubles by Lucas Crown and Clay Wiggins to tie the game at 1-1. Wiggins would later score on an error to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the second inning, senior Kyler Setzer singled, stole second, and later scored to tie the game at 2-2, but the Panthers answered with two runs to take a 4-2 lead.

A one-out single by Cayden McPherson was the only hit in the rally. Four consecutive walks forced home two runs to give the Panthers a 4-2 lead.

Sullivan entered the game after the fourth walked, and escaped the jam without further damage.

Sullivan finished off the game to earn the win. He tossed 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits, while striking out six and walking none.

The Wildcats tied the game in the top of the third inning on a two-out, two-RBI triple by senior Kaden Setzer.

In the top of the fourth, Rude ignited a rally with a one-out double, and scored on back-to-back singles by sophomore Caleb Nichols and Sullivan that left runners on first and third. Moments later, Nichols scampered home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore Mason Lister to make it 6-4.

Sophomore Jaren Glisson’s lead-off home run in the top of the fifth extended Athens’ lead to 7-4.

The Wildcats added three runs in the sixth inning in a rally capped by Glisson’s two-RBI double.

Glisson homered and doubled, scored two runs, and collected three RBI to pace the Wildcats at the plate, while Rude tripled and doubled, stole two bases, and scored two runs, and Nichols singled twice, stole two bases, and scored two runs.

Kaden Setzer tripled and drove in two runs in the win, while Lister singled, scored two runs, and knocked in one run, Sullivan singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, sophomore Lucas Kraft singled and knocked in a run, Kyler Setzer singled and scored one run, and senior Ben Vough added a single.

Crown doubled and singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, and Wiggins doubled, scored one run, and knocked in one run to pace NEB’s five-hit attack.

Athens, now 6-6, returns to action Friday at Towanda.

ATHENS — Kyle Anthony won four events, and Asher Ellis swept the throwing events to lead Athens to a 99-51 win over Wellsboro here Tuesday afternoon in NTL boys track & field action at Alumni Stadium.

The Wildcats improve to 6-0 with the win, while Wellsboro falls to 4-2.

Anthony led a sweep in the 1,600-meter run in a time of 4:57.21, while Connor Dahl was second in 5:03.01, and Matt Gorsline was third in 5:05.15.

Anthony also led a sweep in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:32.65, with Sander Bertsch second in 2:33.52, and Justin Lynch third in 2:37.3.

Anthony, Lynch, Gorsline, and Dahl teamed to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 8:49.13

Anthony and Lynch teamed with John Ayres, and Ryan LaSusa to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:49.44.

Ellis led a sweep in the discus with a toss of 136-feet, 1-inches, while Lucas Aquilio in second at 98-feet, 8-inches, and Ben Pernaselli was third at 96-feet, 9-inches. Ellis also won the shot put with a heave of 44-feet, 4 1/4-inches.

Ellis won the javelin with a throw of 149-feet, 8-inches, and Zach Stafursky was third at 113-feet, 4-inches.

Gorsline led a sweep in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 11:15.27, with Dahl second in 11:28.65, and Izaak Hobday third in 13:00.84.

LaSusa led a sweep in the 400-meter dash in a time of 54.19, while Ayres was second in 58.58 seconds, and Lynch was third in 59.67 seconds.

Brendan Jones led a sweep in the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 34-feet, 2 1/2-inches, while Connor Brown was second at 33-feet, 2 3/4-inches, and Carter Jones was third at 32-feet, 7-inches.

Jaden Wright recorded three of the Wildcats’ six second-place finishes.

Wright finished second in the 100-meter dash in 11.75 seconds, and LaSusa was third in 11.79 seconds. Wright also finished second in the 200-meter dash in 24.69 seconds, and LaSusa was third in 24.89 seconds.

Wright finished second in the long jump with a leap of 16-feet, 8 1/4-inches, and Joe Toscano was third at 15-feet, 10 1/2-inches.

Levi Kuhns finished second in the 110-meter hurdles, and Carter Jones was third in 20.31 seconds. Kuhns was second in the 300-meter hurdles in 47.66 seconds, and Carter Jones was third in 53.66 seconds.

Ethan Denlinger was second in the high jump with a leap of 5-feet. He was third in the pole vault at 7-feet.

Athens returns to action next Tuesday when it hosts North Penn-Mansfield.

ATHENS — Senior Emma Roe and freshman Mya Thompson won four events apiece to lead Athens to a 97-51 win over Wellsboro here Tuesday afternoon in NTL track & field action at Alumni Stadium.

Junior Hannah Walker, sophomore Emma Bronson and freshman Emily Henderson were triple-winners as the Lady Wildcats improved to 5-0-1 on the season.

Roe won the 100-meter dash in 12.81 seconds, and Hannah Walker was second in 13.06 seconds. Roe won the 200-meter dash in 29.04 seconds, and Cassy Friend was third in 30.68 seconds.

Roe also won the 400-meter dash in a time of 1:07.37, and Abby Prickitt was third in 1:18.24.

Roe and Thompson teamed with Henderson and Walker to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 4:39.38.

Thompson won the long jump with a leap of 15-feet, 9-inches, and Friend was third at 13-feet, 3-inches. She also won the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 32-feet, 8 3/4-inches.

Thompson and Henderson teamed with Friend and Walker to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 55.54 seconds.

Walker won the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 54.4 seconds, and Henderson was second in 56.88 seconds.

Henderson won the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 18.3 seconds

Bronson won the 1,600-meter run in a time of 5:50.01, and Cailyn Conklin was third in 7:32.29 Bronson won the 3,200-meter run in a time of 13:13.88, and Conklin was second in 15:38.17.

She also won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:39.55.

Shelby Morris won the pole vault at 5-feet, by virtue of fewer misses. Emily King was third at 5-feet. Morris finished second in the high jump at 3-feet, 6-inches.

Olivia Bartlow won the discus with a toss of 87-feet, 7-inches, while Emma Pernaselli was second at 80-feet, 3-inches, and Meltem VanHelden was third at 76-feet, 1-inches.

Emma Pernaselli was second in the javelin with a throw of 72-feet, 4-inches. She also finished in the shot put with a heave of 26-feet, 8 1/2-inches.

Athens returns to action next Tuesday when it hosts North Penn-Mansfield.

ATHENS — Athens erupted for 10 runs in the third inning to blow open a tie game en route to an 18-8 five-inning win over Williamson here Monday afternoon in NTL softball action.

The Lady Warriors struck for three runs in the top of the first inning, thanks in part to a pair of Athens errors, and RBI singles by Mikenna Buchanan and Skylar Smith, but the Lady Wildcats answered with three runs in the home half of the frame.

With two outs, Mallory Mummert one-hopped the right field fence for a two-RBI triple, then scored on an RBI single by Addy Repsher.

Ashlyn VanFleet drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the second, and later scored on a wild pitch to give Athens a 4-3 lead.

Skylar Smith’s RBI single in the top of the third tied the game at 4-4, but the Lady Wildcats blew the game open in the bottom of the frame.

Mummert gave Athens the lead for good with a two-run home run to make it 6-4. The rally also featured a two-run home run by Caydence Macik, a two-run double by Harley Sullivan, a two-run single by Repsher, and a run-scoring single by Megan Collins.

A solo home run by Audrey Hatch put Athens ahead 15-4 in the bottom of the fourth. Moments later, Sullivan tripled and scored on a throwing error on the play to make it 16-4.

Williamson scored four runs in the top of fifth inning to trim the deficit to 16-8, but Athens scored two runs in the bottom of the inning — on a sacrifice by Marissa Butler and an RBI single by Hatch — to close out the game via the “mercy” rule.

Hatch had four hits, including a home run, two runs scored and two RBI to lead Athens at the plate, while Repsher stroked three singles, scored two runs, and drove in three runs, and Aliyah Butler singled three times and scored one run.

Mummert homered and tripled, scored three runs, and had four RBI, and Sullivan tripled and doubled, scored three runs, and drove in two runs for the Lady Wildcats, while Macik hit a solo home run, Collins singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, VanFleet and Alli Thoman each scored two runs, and Marissa Butler drove in one run.

Repsher earned the win in relief for the Lady Wildcats. She allowed three runs — all unearned — on two hits, while striking out four and walking two.

Athens, now 10-2, travels to Wyalusing Tuesday for the first of five road games in five days.

ATHENS — Athens sophomore Gage Warner and Cam Sullivan combined on a four-hit shutout to help the Wildcats snap a four-game losing streak with a 9-0 win over Williamson here Monday afternoon in NTL baseball action.

Warner scattered three hits over five innings, while striking out three and walking two to earn the win for the Wildcats. Sullivan allowed one hit and one walk, and struck out two in two innings of work.

Athens jumped on the Warriors early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Junior Karter Rude led off the game with a single, and ended up on third base after sophomore Caleb Nichols and Sullivan were hit by pitches.

Rude scampered home on a passed ball for the game’s first run, then sophomore Mason Lister made it 2-0 with an RBI single. With two outs, Warner helped his own cause to make it 4-0.

Williamson starter Cody Fleming settled down after the first inning. He allowed just a second-inning single by Nichols before running into trouble again in the fourth inning.

Kyler Setzer led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a single, stole second, and scored on an RBI double by Kaden Setzer to make it 5-0.

With one out, Nichols was hit by a pitch again to put runners on first and second. The runners moved to second and third, then scored on a ringing two-run double by Sullivan to extend the lead to 7-0.

After a Lister single and stolen base, pinch-hitter senior Tanner Dildine capped the rally with a two-RBI double.

Lister singled twice, scored two runs, stole two bases, and drove in one run, and Kyler Setzer singled twice and scored one run to lead Athens’ 10-hit attack, while Sullivan doubled, scored two runs, and collected two RBI, Kaden Setzer doubled, scored one run, and knocked in one run.

Dildine doubled and drove in two runs in the win, while Warner singled and knocked in two runs, Nichols singled and scored two runs, and Rude singled and scored one run.

Athens, now 5-6, travels to Towanda Wednesday for the first of four road games in four days.

BLOOMSBURG — Athens bounced back from an opening-round loss to Selinsgrove to top Milton in the consolation game of the Central Columbia Tournament here Saturday in non-league softball action.

Selinsgrove 14, Athens 9
Selinsgrove’s bats came alive late in a come-from-behind, 14-9, win over Athens in the opening round of the Central Columbia Tournament.

“Defensively we were terrible, and our base-running was even worse,” said Athens coach Mickey Farrell. “We didn’t deserve to win.

“The good thing is these are things we can correct,” added Farrell.

Trailing 1-0, the Lady Wildcats put together four consecutive two-out hits in the bottom of the second inning.

Mallory Mummert walked to lead off the second inning, and moved to second on a grounder off the bat of Addy Repsher.

With two outs, Carlie Simpson stroked an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. Ashlyn VanFleet ripped an RBI double to give Athens the lead, then scored on an RBI single by Macie Coyle to make it 3-1.

Harley Sullivan capped the rally with an RBI single to plate Coyle.

Selinsgrove trimmed the deficit to 4-2 with a run in the top of the third inning, but Athens answered with two runs in the home half on a two-RBI single by Megan Collins.

The Lady Seals scored two runs in the top of the fourth to trim the lead to 6-4, but an RBI single by Mummert in the bottom of the fourth gave Athens a 7-4 lead.

Selinsgrove tied the game with three runs in the fifth inning, and took an 11-7 lead with four runs in the sixth inning.

Athens battled back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth in a rally that featured a double by Audrey Hatch, and an RBI single by Mummert, but Selinsgrove put the game away with three runs in the seventh inning.

Collins had two hits and two RBI, while Hatch doubled and singled, and scored two runs, and Coyle singled twice, scored one run, and drove in one run to lead Athens’ 12-hit attack.

Mummert singled, scored three runs, and knocked in one run for the Lady Wildcats, while VanFleet doubled, scored one run, and drove in one run, Simpson singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, Sullivan and Repsher each singled and drove in one run, and Aliyah Butler singled and scored one run.

Athens 14, Milton 4
Athens banged out 17 hits, and Aliyah Butler turned in a strong pitching performance to lead Athens to a 14-4 six-inning win over Milton in the consolation game of the Central Columbia Tournament.

“We started slow, then came on strong,” said Farrell. “Again, we were shaky on defense, but we hit well and took advantage of a lot of (Milton’s) mistakes.”

The Lady Wildcats took an early lead with three runs in the first inning in a rally featured an RBI single by Addy Repsher and and RBI double by Ashlyn VanFleet.

Athens added two more runs in the second inning, then pulled away with three runs in the fifth innings, and five runs in the sixth inning to invoke the 10-run “mercy” rule.

Audrey Hatch had four hits, including a solo home run in the fourth inning, scored three runs, and drove in one run, while Harley Sullivan singled twice, scored three runs, and had two RBI, and Coyle singled twice and scored two runs.

WYALUSING — Wyalusing took the lead in the bottom of the first inning, and never relinquished it en route to a 6-2 win over Athens here Saturday afternoon in NTL Large School Division baseball action.

With seven of his teammates, including four starters and the team’s ace pitcher, out due to Covid-19 quarantine, Wyalusing’s Nick Kelly stepped up with a strong pitching performance, and several of the remaining Ram hitter delivered key two-out hits.

Kelly earned the win, allowing two runs — one earned — on five hits, while striking out five and walking four in 6 2/3 innings of work. Trehnon Hugo worked around a walk to record the final out.

Athens took the early lead on an RBI single by Cam Sullivan in the top of the first inning, but the Rams answered with two runs in the home half of the inning.

With two outs, an Athens error extended the inning. After a single by Spencer Krewson and a walk loaded the bases, C.J. Carr delivered a two-run single to left field to put the Rams up 2-1.

Wyalusing added three runs in the second inning to take a 5-1 lead. All three runs came with two outs, and the rally included RBI singles by Chase Houser and Krewson.

Wyalusing tacked on a run in the third inning on a two-out error by Wildcats to extend the lead to 6-1.

Athens got a run back in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI double by Lucas Kraft, but he was left stranded at third base, and the Wildcats managed just a pair of singles over the final three innings.

Sullivan had two hits and drove in one run, while Caleb Nichols singled twice, and Kraft doubled and drove in one run to account for Athens’ five hits.

 Kraft was tagged with the tough-luck loss. He allowed six runs — all unearned — on 10 hits, while striking out two and walking two in five innings of work. Gage Warner allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning of relief.

Houser stroked three singles and drove in one run, while Carr had two hits and two RBI, Krewson had two hits, scored one run, and drove in one run, and Kelly singled twice and scored one run in Wyalusing’s 11-hit attack.

Athens, now 4-6, hosts Williamson Monday.

 SAYRE — Sayre scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to invoke the 10-run “mercy” rule in a 12-2 win over Athens here Friday afternoon in NTL baseball action on Ralph Hendershot Field at Riverfront Park.

The Redskins entered the game having outscored their opponents, 109-15, in a 6-0 start, but led just 4-2 after 3 1/2 innings.

“I felt our hitters were a little off-balance early on,” said Sayre coach Jamie VanDuzer. (Mason Lister) pitched well … I think they had a few of us guessing at the plate.

“We eventually got things together and got some big hits down the stretch,” added VanDuzer. “Overall, it’s a big win for us.”

The Wildcats committed three errors, leading to three of Sayre first four runs.

“Sayre is a tough team with an excellent coaching staff,” said Athens coach Charlie Havens. “They took advantage of the mistakes we made. We had a tough time getting the third out in every inning.

“Sayre did the majority of its damage with two outs,” added Havens.

After Sayre sophomore Lucas Horton pitched around a single by sophomore Caleb Nichols in the top of the first inning, the Redskins took a 3-0 lead in the home half of the inning.

Senior Jake Burgess reached on an error, and junior Brayden Horton worked a four-pitch walk to set the table, and Lucas Horton helped his own cause with a two-run line-drive double to right field.

Junior David Northrup was then hit by a pitch, and senior Zach Moore walked to load the bases, but Lister settled in allowed just one more  run on a one-out groundout off the bat of junior Kannon VanDuzer.

With two outs in the bottom of the third base, sophomore Zach Garrity walked,then scored on an outfield error to make it 4-0.

Sophomore Cam Sullivan led off the top of the fourth inning with a single, but was immediately replaced on the base paths on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Lister. With two outs, sophomore Jaren Glisson ripped an RBI single up the middle.

After a single by Kyler Setzer moved him to third base, Glisson scored on a passed ball to trim the deficit to 4-2.

Sayre responded in the home half of the inning with two runs. With two outs, Brayden Horton lined a double to right field, and was moved to third base on back-to-back walks to Lucas Horton and Northrup that loaded the bases.

An RBI single by Moore, and a bases-loaded walks to Garrity pushed the lead to 6-2.

The Redskins loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning on a pair of walks, sandwiched around a double by junior Mason Houseknecht. With one out, Lucas Horton walked to force home a run, and Northrup flared a two-RBI single to left field to make it 9-2.

An RBI single by Moore pushed the lead to 10-2, and Garrity was hit by a pitch to re-loaded the bases.

After a balk made it 11-2, Houseknecht walked to load the bases again, and sophomore Jackson Hubbard stroked an RBI single to right field to end the game via the mercy rule.

“I was proud of our boys for showing up to compete,” said Havens. “We talked at practice about keeping the game within reach and pushing them a bit. We did that for four innings, but we couldn't close.

“We are improving, but still have work to do,” added Havens.

Moore singled twice, scored one run, and had two RBI, while Brayden Horton doubled and singled, and scored three runs, and Hubbard doubled and singled, scored one run, and drove in one run to pace Sayre’s eight-hit attack.

Lucas Horton doubled, scored three run, and had three RBI, and Northrup singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs in the win, while Garrity scored one run and drove in one run, Houseknecht and Burgess scored one run, and Kannon VanDuzer knocked in a run.

Lucas Horton earned the win for the Redskins. He allowed two runs — one earned — on six hits, while striking out five and walking none in a complete-game five-inning effort.

“I thought Luke pitched good,” said VanDuzer. “They hit the ball pretty good, but he was able to limit any big innings.”

Nichols and Kaden Setzer each singled twice to pace Athens’ six-hit attack, while Glisson singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, Sullivan added a single, and Lister scored one run.

Lister was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs — one earned — on two hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. He fanned four and walked two. Three Athens relievers allowed eight earned runs on six hits.

Sayre, now 7-0, hosts Troy Saturday afternoon, while Athens, now 4-5, travels to Wyalusing.

SAYRE — Athens pounded out 14 hits in an 18-0 three-inning win over Valley rival Sayre here Friday afternoon in NTL softball action.

The Lady Wildcats improve to 8-1 on the season, while the Lady Redskins fall to 0-7. Despite the difference, Athens coach Mickey Farrell said he told his team to disregard the records.

“Before the game, I told the girls that Sayre is not a team to take lightly, they gave Northeast (Bradford) and Towanda all they could handle,” said Farrell. So it's pedal-to-the-metal and let's not give them a chance to hang with us. They are our number one rival, so we need to bury them from the start.

“It was the loudest our dugout has been all year, they were really into it,” added Farrell. “I couldn't be prouder.”

Athens took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-RBI single by Mallory Mummert.

Sayre had a pair of singles (by Madison Smith and Hailey McCaig) and a walk in the home half of the inning, but had two runners wiped out on the base paths, and did not score.

The Lady Wildcats took advantage of a pair of walks and two Sayre errors to plate seven runs in the second inning to take a 9-0 lead. Macie Coyle and Aliyah Butler delivered RBI singles in the rally.

Athens scored its first three runs in the third inning scored on an outfield error with the bases loaded. They added runs on RBI singles by Aliyah Butler and Carlie Simpson, and a two-RBI double by Ashlyn VanFleet, who scored on an RBI groundout off the bat of Coyle.

Mummert singled twice, scored two runs, and had three RBI, while Audrey Hatch had two hits, three runs scored, and two RBI, and VanFleet doubled and singled, scored three runs, and drove in two runs to lead Athens at the plate.

Coyle singled twice, scored two runs, and drove in two runs in the win, while Butler singled twice and drove in one run, Simpson singled, scored two runs, and drove in one run, Harley Sullivan singled, scored three runs, and knocked in one run, Alli Thoman singled and scored two runs, Marissa Butler added a single, and Addy Repsher and Megan Collins each scored one run.

Aliyah Butler earned the win for the Lady Wildcats, allowing four hits in three shutout innings.

Smith, McCaig, Lizzy Shaw, and Olivia Corbin accounted for Sayre’s four hits.

Athens returns to action Saturday at the Central Columbia Tournament, while Sayre hosts Troy at 1 p.m.

ATHENS — Freshman Mya Thompson won four events, and sophomore Emma Bronson was a triple-winner to pace Athens in an 82-67 win over Wyalusing here Friday afternoon in NTL girls track & field action at Alumni Stadium.

Thompson won the 400-meter dash in a time of 1:05.72, and sophomore Abby Prickitt was third in 1:23.38.

Thompson led a sweep in the long jump with a leap of 15-feet, 1 1/2-inches, while sophomore Cassy Friend was second at 14-feet, 9 1/2-inches, and freshman Abbie Panek was third at 12-feet, 5-inches. Thompson also won the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 30-feet, 2 1/2-inches, and Friend was third at 25-feet, 11-inches.

Thompson teamed with freshman Emily Henderson, senior Hannah Walker, and Friend to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 1:24.22.

Bronson won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:35.93, and the 1,600-meter run in 5:51.01. Bronson finished off a sweep of the distance events, winning the 3,200-meter run in a time of 13:03.45.

Walker won the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 56.83 seconds, and Henderson was second at 1:04.45.

Henderson won the 100-meter hurdles in 19.59 seconds, and sophomore Shelby Morris was second at 22.13 seconds.

Junior Olivia Bartlow won the discus with a toss of 88-feet, 2-inches, and freshman Emma Pernaselli was second at 82-feet, 1-inch.

Walker finished second in the 100-yard dash in 13.68 seconds, and Panek was third in 15.19 seconds. Walker also finished second in the 200-meter dash in 28.3 seconds, and Friend was third in 30.71 seconds.

Pernaselli finished second in the javelin with a throw of 69-feet, 9-inches. Pernaselli also finished second in the shot put with a heave of 25-feet, 6-inches, and Bartlow was third at 25-feet. 3 1/2-inches.

Morris was third in the high jump at 3-feet, 10-inches, and junior Emily King was third in the pole vault at 5-feet, 6-inches.

Athens, now 4-0-1, hosts Wellsboro Tuesday.