LEWISBURG — Athens outhit Lewisburg, 10-1, but the Green Dragons took
advantage of base on balls, and three costly errors early in the game to
pull out a 5-3 win here Saturday in the quarterfinals of the District
4, Class AAAA baseball playoffs.
“Our nerves were up in the first
couple innings, and it took us some time to settle down with walks and
defensive miscues,” said Athens coach Charlie Havens. “Mason (Lister)
and Lucas (Kraft) did a good job not allowing the big inning, but the
runs left us playing catch up all day.
“The hardest pill to
swallow was we outhit Lewisburg, 10-1. We just couldn’t get that clutch
hit to create the big inning,” noted Havens in reference to the Wildcats
leaving 10 runners on base, including six in scoring position.
“Hats
off to (Lewisburg pitcher Forrest) Zelechoski, who really settled down
late,” added Havens. “It was even more impressive to do it in this
heat.”
After Lewisburg ace Forrest Zelechoski pitched around a
two-out single by junior Cam Sullivan in the top of the first inning,
the Green Dragons scored two runs in the home half of the inning without
the benefit of a hit, taking advantage of two walks, an error, and an
errant throw on a dropped third strike to take a 2-0 lead.
The
Wildcats closed the gap to 2-1 in the top of the second inning on a
two-out double by senior Kaden Setzer, and an RBI single by senior J.J.
Babcock.
Lewisburg added another unearned run in the bottom of the second, but it could have been a much bigger inning.
After
an error and consecutive walks loaded the bases with no outs, Kraft
recorded a strikeout, but a flyball that resulted in a double play
allowed a run scoring before the third out was recorded to give
Lewisburg a 3-1 lead.
Athens again trimmed the deficit in the top of the third inning.
Senior
Karter Rude led off with a double, and moved to third on an error off
the bat of junior Caleb Nichols. Cam Sullivan drove home a run with an
RBI single to make it 3-2, but Zelechoski retired the next three batters
to escape further damage.
Shea Girton led off the bottom of the
third with a single — Lewisburg’s only hit, and eventually scored on a
sacrifice fly off the bat of Zelechoski to push the lead to 4-2.
The
Wildcats took advantage of a Lewisburg miscue in the fourth as Setzer
reached second on an outfield error to lead off the inning. Babcock
followed with an RBI single to close the gap to 4-3.
Rude laced a one-out single to center field to put runners on first and second, but the next two Wildcat batters were retired.
The
Green Dragons used a pair of walks, and a double steal to add an
insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning, and extend their lead
to 5-3.
Junior Jaren Glisson singled with two outs in the fifth
inning, and Rude reached on an error with two outs in the sixth inning,
but neither advanced past first base.
In the top of the seventh
inning, Sullivan led off with a single, but was replaced on the base
paths by junior Mason Lister on a fielder’s choice.
Junior Lucas
Kraft singled to put runners on first and second, but Zelechoski induced
a fly ball to right field, which allowed pinch-runner Josiah Stringham
to tag and take third base, and a groundout to end the game.
Sullivan
singled three times and drove in one run, while Babcock singled twice
and scored two runs, and Rude doubled and singled, and scored one run to
pace Athens at the plate.
Setzer doubled and scored two runs for the Wildcats, while Kraft and Glisson each added a single
Kraft
was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs — all unearned — on one
hit, while striking out three and walking four in three innings.
Lister relieved and allowed one run, while walking four and striking out three.
The Wildcats end the season at 12-9.
“We all wanted to play a few more for the seniors,” said Havens. “That last game is always a tough one to get over.
“(Kaden) Setzer, (Karter) Rude, and J.J. Babcock all had hits,” he noted. “It was obvious they didn’t want to be done.
“They
will forever be my first group and will surely be missed,” added
Havens. “All had amazing high school athletic careers. I’m looking
forward to watching them play different sports at the next level.”
SCRANTON — Sayre poured nine runs across the plate in the second inning
to erase an early deficit en route to a 15-3 five-inning win over Athens
here Sunday afternoon at PNC Field.
The Wildcats took advantage
of two errors after a one-out single by junior Caleb Nichols to load the
bases. With two outs, junior Jaren Glisson stroked a two-run single to
right field to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Redskins struck back quickly in the top of the second inning.
David
Northrup led off with a triple to deep center field, and scored on an
RBI single up the middle by senior Kannon VanDuzer to close the gap to
2-1.
After walks to junior Jackson Hubbard, and senior Mason
Houseknecht the Redskins had the bases loaded with one out. An RBI
single by senior Oakley Gorman tied the game at 2-2, and a wild pitch
gave Sayre the lead for good, at 3-2.
With two outs, three consecutive errors by the Wildcats allowed runs to score, giving Sayre a 7-2 lead.
Sayre
loaded the bases again on a walk to Hubbard, and added runs on a walk
to senior Dom Fabbri, and an RBI single by Houseknecht to make it 9-2.
The Redskins added two runs in the third inning by Northrup to extend their lead to 11-2.
Sayre
added five runs — all with two outs — in the fifth inning in a rally
highlighted by a two-RBI double by junior Kegan Hayford, and an RBI
single by senior Josh Arnold to make it 15-2.
Senior Karter Rude
led off the home half of the fifth inning with a single, and scored on
an RBI double by Nichols, but Sayre starter Luke Horton retired the next
three batters, including a strikeout for the game’s final out.
Lucas
Horton earned the win for the Redskins, allowing three runs — one
earned — on six hits, while striking out 11 without a walk in five
innings.
Northrup tripled and singled, scored two runs, and drove
in two runs, and VanDuzer singled twice, scored three runs and had one
RBI to pace Sayre’s 10-hit attack, while senior Brayden Horton tripled
and scored two runs, and junior Zach Garrity doubled and scored two
runs.
Hayford doubled, scored one run, and had two RBI in the
win, while Houseknecht and Gorman each singled, scored one run, and
drove in one run, Arnold singled and drove in one run, Fabbri drove in
one run, and Lucas Horton, Hubbard and sophomore Tanner Green each
scored one run.
Nichols doubled and singled, scored one run, and
had one RBI to lead Athens at the plate, while Glisson singled and drove
in two runs, Rude, and junior Cameron Sullivan each singled and scored
one run, and senior J.J. Babcock added a single.
Sayre improves
to 17-2 and will host Troy Monday in the season finale, while Athens
wraps up the regular-season campaign at 12-8.
ATHENS — Junior Lucas Kraft pitched a complete-game, and drove in the
winning run in the sixth inning to lead Athens to a 2-1 win over Watkins
Glen / Odessa-Montour here Friday afternoon in non-league baseball
action.
“Luke Kraft came out in full control tonight,” said
Athens assistant coach Andy Podolinski. “He pounded the strike zone and
was hitting his locations. He was in control from the first inning and
controlled the game.
“You could tell in warm-ups he was locked
in,” noted Podolinski. “His velocity was up today, and he was locked in.
He dominated the game today and it was fun to watch.
“The kid
has worked hard and it’s fun to be a part of watching him and the team
grow,” added Podolinski. “Absolutely his most dominate performance of
the season, and we’re coming together at the perfect time.”
Kraft allowed one run on five hits, while striking out 10 and walking one in a seven-inning performance to earn the win.
After
five scoreless innings, the Seneca Indians pushed a run across the
plate on a double by Daniel Lewis and a sacrifice fly by Dom Fazzary.
Senior
Karter Rude led off the home half of the sixth with a single to right
field, and ended up on third after the ball was misplayed. He scored
moments later on an RBI single by junior Caleb Nichols.
After Nichols stole second base, Kraft stroked a two-out, 0-2 pitch to left field to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.
Kraft pitched around a one-out double in the top of the seventh inning, ending the game with a pair of strikeouts.
Nichols
singled twice, scored one run and drove in one run, while Rude singled,
scored one run, and stole two bases, and Kraft singled and knocked in
one run to account for the Wildcats’ four hits.
Lewis was tagged
with the loss for the Seneca Indians, allowing two runs on four hits,
while striking out five and walking one in six innings.
Athens, now 12-7, squares off with Sayre Sunday at PNC Field in Scranton.
WELLSBORO — Wellsboro plated six runs in the home half of the sixth
inning to blow open a close game en route to an 11-4 win over Athens
here Tuesday afternoon in NTL Large School baseball action.
The
Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on an RBI
single by senior Kaden Setzer, but the Hornets answered with a run in
the bottom of the inning.
Athens re-gained the lead with two runs
in the top of the third. Junior Carson Smith, senior Karter Rude, and
junior Caleb Nichols stoked consecutive singles to make it 2-1, and Rude
scored as Nichols was thrown out attempting to steal second.
Once again, however, Wellsboro answered, scoring two runs in the home half of the inning to tie the game at 3-3.
Wellsboro
scored two more runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-3 lead, but
Athens closed the gap to 5-4 in the fifth when Nichols scampered home on
a passed ball. The Wildcats had runners on second and third with no
outs, but couldn’t push another run across the plate.
The first
sixth batters in the Hornets’ six reached base, with four crossing the
plate to extend the lead to 9-4. They ended up scoring two more runs to
make it 11-4.
Nichols stroked three singles, scored one run, and
drove in one run, and junior Mason Lister singled twice to pace Athens’
eight-hit attack, while Rude and Smith singled and scored one run,
Setzer singled and drove in one run, and junior Jaren Glisson scored one
run.
Brody Morral stroked three singles, scored two runs, and
drove in one run, and Caden Smith had three hits, including a double,
scored one run, and knocked in one run in Wellsboro’s 12-hit attack.
Athens, now 10-7, returns to action Monday at North Penn-Mansfield.
ATHENS — Unbeaten Wyalusing scored an unearned run on two Athens errors
on the same play in the top of the third inning to take the lead for
good on its way to a 7-4 win over Athens here Monday afternoon in NTL
Large School Division baseball action.
With two outs in the top
of the third inning, and the game tied 2-2, Trehnon Hugo hit a flyball
that was misplayed. An errant relay throw to third bases allowed Hugo to
score to give the Rams a 3-2 lead.
Wyalusing added another run in the fourth, and three more in the top of the seventh to take a 7-2 lead.
The Wildcats scored two runs in the home half of the seventh, on an RBI double by junior Mason Lister and a passed ball.
Lister
doubled twice and drove in one run, and senior Karter Rude singled
twice, stole two bases, and scored one run to pace Athens at the plate,
while senior Kaden Setzer doubled and scored one run.
Senior
Dylan Merritt doubled and drove in one run for the Wildcats, while
junior Jaren Glisson doubled, junior Cam Sullivan singled, and junior
Caleb Nichols scored one run.
Junior Lucas Kraft was tagged with
the loss, allowing four runs — three earned — on seven hits, while
striking out two and walking four in 4 2/3 innings. Sullivan allowed
three runs — two earned — on three hits, while striking out two and
walking none in 2 1/3 innings.
Hugo earned the win for the Rams,
allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out four and walking two
in 5 2/3 innings. Blake Morningstar closed out the game, allowing two
unearned runs on one hit, while striking out four and walking one.
The Wildcats took the early lead with one run in the bottom of the first inning.
Rude
led off with a single, and stole second. Sullivan then stroked a single
to right field, and Rude scored when the ball was misplayed.
Wyalusing answered with two runs in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly by Hugo and a bases-loaded walk to Morningstar.
Athens
tied the game in the bottom of the second. Setzer led off with a double
and ended up on third when the ball was misplayed in the outfield. He
scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Merritt.
Robert English
doubled and singled, scored two runs, and drove in one run, and Kenny
Mapes singled twice, scored one run, and had two RBI to pace Wyalusing’s
10-hit attack, and Jacob Bryun belted a solo home run.
Athens, now 10-6, travel to Wellsboro Tuesday.
ATHENS — Senior Karter Rude helped Athens manufacture both of its runs,
and juniors Lucas Kraft and Cameron Sullivan combined on a strong
pitching performance to lead the Wildcats to a season-opening, 2-1, win
over Cowanesque Valley here Friday afternoon.
“We had a plan to
use our speed and really run the bases,” said Athens coach Charlie
Havens. “It did move the runners really well.
“We could’ve used a few more hits, but that aggression (on the base paths) did lead to the winning run.” he noted.
Havens was pleased with his pitchers’ performance, and his team’s defense in a game that was visited by rain showers throughout.
"Lucas Kraft had a strong start, and really got tough with runners on base,” he said.
“Cam Sullivan was solid in relief,” noted Havens. “He came in with runners on first and third, and got out of the jam.”
“On a wet field, to only have three errors and give up one run, isn’t a bad start to the season,” added Havens.
After Kraft retired CV in order in the top of the first inning, Rude was hit by a pitch to lead off the home half of the frame.
Rude
took second on a passed ball, and move to third on a groundout off the
bat of junior Caleb Nichols. With two outs, Rude scampered home on an
infield RBI single by Mason Lister to make it 1-0.
The Indians tied the game in the top of the third.
Coen
Kemp and Carter Ackley led off the inning with back-to-back singles.
With one out, Ackley, who was on second base following a fielder’s
choice, stole third and score when the throw sailed into left field.
Kraft avoided any further damage with a strikeout, and a groundout to end the threat.
Nichols
drew a one-out walk in the home half of the inning, and stole second,
but was thrown out attempting to score on a single by Lister.
In
the bottom of the fifth, Rude laced a line-drive, one-out single to left
field. After stealing second and third bases, he scooted home on an RBI
grounder off the bat of Nichols to make it 2-1.
In the top of
the sixth, Kraft hit Kade Sottolano with a pitch to start the inning,
then gave up a one-out single to Tucker St. Peter that advanced
Sottolano to third base.
Sullivan relieved, and Nichols promptly
threw out St. Peter attempting to steal second. Sullivan then struck out
the next batter to end the inning.
“We put a cut play on with
the steal to hold the runner on third, and it worked to perfection with a
great throw to second by Nichols,” said Havens.
Senior Jaren
Glisson ripped a two-out single to left field int he home half of the
inning, then stole second, but was stranded there.
Sullivan
struck out the first two batters in the top of the seventh inning, but
with two outs CV’s Jordan Vargeson worked a two-out walk. Nick West
followed with a bloop single to short right field, but pinch-runner
Isaiah Bogsch was tagged out after a run-down between second and third
to end the game.
Glisson singled twice and stole two bases, and
Lister singled twice and drove in a run to pace Athens’ six-hit attack,
while Rude, scored two runs, and stole two bases, and junior Gage Warner
added a single.
Kraft earned the win for the Wildcats, allowing one run on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six and walked none.
Sullivan recorded the save, allowing one hit in 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. He struck out three and walked one.
Ackley
singled twice, stole two bases, and scored one run to pace CV’s
seven-hit attack, while Sottolano singled and swiped two bags, and St.
Peter, McGwire Painter, Kemp and West each added a single.
Painter
was tagged with the tough-luck loss, allowing two runs — one earned —
on five hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one.
St. Peter pitched a scoreless inning of relief, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout.
Athens returns to action Thursday when it hosts Canton, while CV hosts Towanda Tuesday.