ATHENS — Athens juniors Kaden Setzer and Karter Rude were named all-NTL first-team baseball all-stars, and sophomre Cameron Sullivan received honorable mention recognition in recent voting by the league's coaches.

NTL Small School, and District 4, Class AA champion Sayre received the majority of the top league awards with junior Brayden Horton voted “Player of the Year,” and sophomore Lucas Horton named the “Pitcher of the Year.”

Sayre coach Jamie VanDuzer and his staff — Mike Cron and Joe Wheeler — were named the “Coaching Staff of the Year.”

Freshmen Hudson Ward of Canton and Trehnon Hugo of Wyalusing were bored “Rookies of the Year,” and Wellsboro’s Cam Brought was the “Newcomer of the Year” — given to a first-year varsity player.

FIRST TEAM
Kaden Setzer, junior, OF / C, Athens: After a couple of years away from the game, Setzer returned to the diamond without missing a beat.

Setzer hit a team-high .450 (18 hits in 40 ABs) with three doubles, one triple, seven stolen bases, 13 runs scored, and 11 RBI. He also drew nine walks for a .549 on-base percentage. He had a 1.124 OPS.

Karter Rude, junior, C / SS, Athens: A tremendous all-around athlete, Rude led the Wildcats in several offensive categories.

Rude hit .364 with a team-high 24 hits in 66 at-bats. He led Athens with nine doubles, 25 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases without being caught. He also had one triple, 12 RBI, and drew 12 walks for a .462 on-base percentage, and a .992 OPS.

BLOOMSBURG — One bad inning.

Second-seed Montoursville scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to break open a tie game on its way to a 9-2 win over third-seed Athens here Thursday in the semifinals of the District 4, Class AAAA baseball playoffs at Central Columbia High School.

“One bad inning … we made a couple bad plays that extended the inning; that was the difference,” said Athens coach Charlie Havens. “(Montoursville) took advantage of our mistakes, and put together a big inning.”

With one out in the home half of the fourth, Dylan Moll ripped a single through the hole at short.

Three pitches later, Moll took of for second, and Athens shortstop Karter Rude broke toward the bag to take a throw, but Antonio Lorente executed a perfect hit-and-run with a groundball single into left field

With runners on first and third, C.J. Signor laid down a perfect squeeze bunt between the pitcher and first baseman to score Moll with the go-ahead run.

“(Montoursville) answered right back after we tied the game,” said Havens. “That’s what good teams do.

“They executed very well to get their first run,” added Havens. “They’re a good team, it’s fun to watch that kind of stuff.”

Back-to-back walks forced home another run to give Montoursville a 3-1 lead, and Nick Reeder followed with an RBI double just inside the third-base page to make it 5-1.

Havens elected to lift starter Mason Lister for fellow sophomore Lucas Kraft, and Kraft struck out the first batter he faced. However, Nolan Kutney hammered a 1-1 pitch into the right-center field gap for a two-run double to push the lead to 7-1.

The Wildcats scored a run in the top of the sixth without the benefit of a hit, but Maddox Dalena answered with a two-run home run to left field in the home half of the frame to provide the final margin.

Montoursville scored an unearned run in the bottom of the second to take a 1-0 lead, but Athens answered with a run in the fourth to tie the game.

Rude led off the Athens fourth with an infield single, and advanced to third base on an errant pick-off throw. Sophomore Caleb Nichols drove him home with a sacrifice fly.

Reeder started for Montoursville and pitched six innings of one-hit ball to earn the win, striking out six and walking just one. Grayson Rinker retired Athens in order in the seventh, striking out two.

“We only had one hit, and that was an infield single, so we didn’t help ourselves out that way,” said Havens.

Lister was tagged with the loss, allowing seven runs — six earned — on four hits, while striking out three and walking three in 3 1/3 innings.

Kraft finished off the game, allowing two runs on two hits, while striking out five and walking one in 2 2/3 innings or work.

Athens wraps up the season, the first under Havens, at 12-9.

“This season was a huge transition,” said Havens. “It was a transition for me, it was a transition for the guys getting used to each other, and to our system.

“Me going from being a JV coach for such a long time … it was a harder transition than I thought it would be,” noted Havens. “Getting use to the speed of the game … and I didn’t know any of the teams in the NTL — I do now.”

“The whole year was a learning experience. Figuring out our system took a little time, but once we did, we came around and did some good things,” he added. “Once we put it together, we won 8 of our last 10 to end the regular season.”

The Wildcats graduate just three seniors in starters Kyler Setzer and Tanner Dildine, and reserve Ben Vough.

“We’re going to lose three real good seniors who came to work every day,” said Havens. “They will be tough to replace, and will definitely be missed.”

Havens believes the future is bright for Athens baseball.

“We have a lot of sophomores, who will be juniors, coming back; and Karter Rude will be a senior, he’s a heck of a player,” said Havens. “We have the pieces here.

“Nick Jacob is going up from the JVs. He’s going to be a heck of a ball player, and someone who will help us going forward,” noted Havens. “And, Connor Mosher does a lot of good things. He will help us out.

“Our junior high team was 15-2. There are some kids coming up from that team that we’ll take a look at.

“People are going to get pushed for spots,” added Havens. “I think we have a three or four year window where we can make a run at this.”

ATHENS — Athens took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning, and put the game away in the sixth in an 8-3 win over North Penn-Mansfield in the regular-season finale here Monday afternoon in NTL Large School baseball action.

The win averages a 6-5 setback at NP-Mansfield for the Wildcats a month ago.

“These games with North Penn-Mansfield this season have been exciting,” said Athens coach Charlie Havens. “They were high-intensity, division-rivalry games — a lot of fun.”

Sophomores Mason Lister and Cameron Sullivan combined to one earned run, despite allowing 13 base-runners in seven innings.

“Mason didn’t have his best stuff, but he really battled and kept us in the game,” said Havens.

“And, Cameron was once again solid in relief. He just seems so relaxed in that situation,” he noted. “No one on or bases loaded he just works quickly and pumps strikes up there.

“He’s been huge for us,” added Havens.

NP-M scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third inning to take a 2-0 lead, but answered with two runs in the home half of the frame to tie it up.

Kyler Setzer singled to lead off the inning, and took second on a passed ball. With one out he scored on an RBI single by junior Karter Rude, who later scored on a passed ball.

Lister led off the fourth inning with a walk, and ended up scoring on consecutive singles by sophomores Lucas Kraft and Jarren Glisson, and Kaden Setzer. The Wildcats missed out on a golden opportunity to increase its lead by leaving the bases loaded after a pair of infield pop outs, and a come-backer to the mound.

The Tigers tied the game with a run in the top of the fifth inning, but the Wildcats used a two-out rally to take the lead for good.

Junior Caleb Nichols singled and stole second, then scored on a two-out double by Kraft to make it 4-3.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Rude walked, stole second, moved to third on a balk, and then stole home to give the Wildcats a 5-3 lead.

Nichols reached on an error, and Sullivan re-ignited the rally with an RBI triple to extend the lead to 6-3. Sullivan scored on an RBI single by Lister, who later scored on an error to make it 8-3.

Lister pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits, while striking seven and walking five in a no-decision.

Sullivan earned the win, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out one and walking none in 2 1/3 innings.

Kraft doubled and singled, and drove in one run, and Nichols doubled and singled, scored two runs, and stole two bases to pace Athens at the plate, while Lister singled, scored two runs, and drove in one run, and Rude singled, scored two runs, stole three bases, and drove in one run.

Kaden Setzer singled and knocked in one run, while Sullivan tripled, scored one run and drove in one run, Kyler Setzer singled and scored one run, and Glisson added a single.

Athens wraps up the regular season at 12-8, and now awaits word on the upcoming District 4, Class AAA playoffs.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our guys and how we turned this season around,” said Havens. “Finishing 12-8 is an impressive accomplishment. 

“We definitely like where we are at with a few days to practice and rest our arms headed into the postseason,” Havens added.

ENS — Athens overcame a shaky start, and rallied late for a 4-2 win over Valley rival Waverly here Friday afternoon in a non-league baseball game played “In Memory of Andy Rickert.”

It’s the second win of the season for the Wildcats against the Wolverines. They won 9-3 at Waverly May 1 as part of “The Battle of the Border.”

Junior Thomas Hand led of the game with a single, and advanced to third when freshman Jay Pipher’s fly ball to left field was dropped. With runners on second and third, freshman Joey Tomasso hit an RBI single to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.

Sophomore Tyler Beeman’s fielder’s choice grounder plater Pipher to make it 2-0.

After an infield error allowed junior Caden Hollywood, Athens sophomore shortstop Mason Lister gobbled up a grounder off the bat of junior Brennan Traub raced to second, and fired to first for a 6-3 double play to end the inning.

Waverly starter junior Derek Seymour pitched around a second-inning walk, and a two-out single in the third inning by Athens junior Karter Rude to keep the Wolverines ahead 2-0.

Athens starter sophomore Lucas Kraft, meanwhile, retired Waverly in order in the second and third innings, although he needed a strong throw from sophomore catcher Caleb Nichols to gun down Pipher attempting to steal second base in the third inning.

Beeman and Hollywood led off the top of the fourth with back-to-back singles, and Traub moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt, but Kraft registered a strikeout, and induced an infield grounder to escape the jam unscathed.

Lister worked a one-out walk off Seymour in the fourth, but Waverly turned a 4-6-3 (Pipher-Tomasso-Hollywood) double play to end the inning.

Kraft breezed through the top of the fifth, but the Wildcats got on the board in the home half of the frame.

With one out, junior Dylan Merritt worked a walk, and moved to second on a bunt. After a walk to sophomore Carson Smith, Rude stroked an RBI single to center field to trim the deficit to 2-1. A wild pitch brought home pinch-runner junior Jared Peterson to tie the game at 2-2.

Kraft again retired the Wolverines in order in the top of the sixth, and the Wildcats once again pushed a pair of runs across the plate in the home half.

Sophomore Cam Sullivan walked to lead off the inning. An errant pick-off attempt allowed pinch-runner junior osiah Stringman to advance to third base. He scored moments later on a passed ball.

With two outs, sophomore Jaren Glisson singled, and Merritt walked. A pair of wild pitches allowed Glisson to score to make it 4-2.

Waverly put the tying runs on base in the top of the seventh inning on one-out singles by junior Kaden Wheeler and senior Nick VanHouten, but Kraft retired the last two batters to preserve the win.

Kraft allowed two runs — both unearned — on six hits, while striking out four and walking one in a complete-game, seven-inning effort.

Rude stroked a pair of singles and drove in one run, and Glisson singled and scored one run to account for Athens’ three hits. Kaden Setzer, Peterson, and Stringham scored runs for the Wildcats.

Beeman singled twice and drove in one run to pace Waverly’s six-hit attack,, while Hand singled and scored one run, Hollywood, Wheeler, and VanHouten each singled, and Pipher scored one run.

Seymour was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs on two hits, while striking out three and walking five in 5 1/3 innings of work. Beeman allowed one run on one hit, with two strikeouts and two walks in 2/3 of an inning.

Athens, now 11-8, hosts North Penn-Mansfield Monday, while Waverly (4-4) hosts Dryden Monday.

——————

NOTE: A 1988 Athens grad, Rickert was a key cog on the 1987 NTL championship team. A junior that season, Rickert batted .393 with 18 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

During his senior season, Rickert hit .524 (33 hits in 63 at-bats) with nine doubles, five triples, three home runs, and 35 RBI. He also stole 11 bases and scored 23 runs.<

CORNING — Unbeaten Corning scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull out a 3-1 win over Athens here Thursday afternoon in non-league baseball action.

The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kaden Setzer, but Corning answered with an unearned run in the second to tie the game.

The Wildcats had runners on second and third with one out in the top of the third, but couldn’t push a run across. They didn’t have a runner get past first base over the final four innings.

Corning had runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but Athens starter sophomore Gage Warner registered a strikeout to end the threat.

Corning’s first two batters in the sixth inning reached base after being hit by pitches. With one out, a wild pitch plated the go-ahead run, then John Green added an insurance run with an RBI single.

Kyler Setzer and Lucas Kraft singled to account for Athens’ two hits, while Mason Lister scored one run, and Kaden Setzer had an RBI.

Warner was tagged with the tough-luck loss for the Wildcats. He allowed three runs — two earned — on seven hits, while striking out six and walking one in six innings of work.

Mason Smith started for the Hawks, allowing an unearned run on one hit, while striking out four and walking one in 4 1/3 innings.

Tom Hacket earned the win, allowing one hit, while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Athens, now 10-8, hosts Waverly Friday.

ATHENS — Athens jumped ahead 7-0 early, but needed four scoreless innings of relief from sophomore Cam Sullivan to hold off Wyalusing in a 9-5 win here Wednesday afternoon in NTL Large School Division baseball action.

Sophomore Mason Lister led off the bottom of the second inning with his first varsity home run to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

With one out in the second, sophomore Jaren Glisson worked a six-pitch walk, and Kaden Setzer singled. With two outs, Glisson scored on a passed ball, and Setzer scored one an error to make it 3-0. After a walk to junior Karter Rude, sophomore Cade Nichols stroked a two-run single to give the Wildcats a 5-0 lead.

In the third inning, Kyler Setzer ripped a two-RBI single to extend the Athens lead to 7-0.

The Rams plated five runs in the fourth inning to trim the deficit to 7-5, but Athens answered with two runs in the fifth inning to provide the final margin. Kaden Setzer and Carson Smith provided the RBI hits.

Lister started for the Wildcats, allowing five runs — four earned Ø on four hits in three innings. He struck out three and walked three.

Sullivan earned the win, allowing two hits over four innings, with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Kyler Setzer singled twice, scored one run, and drove in two runs, while Kaden Setzer singled twice, scored two runs, and knocked in one run, and Lister homered and singled, scored once, and drove in one run to pace Athens’ 10-hit attack.

Nichols singled and drove in two runs in the win, while Glisson singled and scored three runs, Smith singled and knocked in a run, Sullivan added a single, and sophomore Gage Warner and Rude each scored a run.

Athens, now 10-7, travels to Corning Thursday.

ATHENS — It wasn’t a perfect day for Mason Lister, but when the Wildcats needed him most, the sophomore came up big — on the mound and at the plate — to lead Athens to a, 3-2, come-from-behind win over Wellsboro here Thursday afternoon in NTL Large School Division baseball action.

The win avenges a 10-run early-season loss at Wellsboro.

“They beat us 11-1 the first time we played them, that’s one heck of a bounce-back win,” said Athens coach Charlie Havens.

“The kids were really excited about this win,” Havens added. “It’s a good win for us.”

The Wildcats took a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Junior Karter Rude led off the inning with a line-drive single to centerfield, and scored on a  one-out RBI double by sophomore Cameron Sullivan.

After the first inning, Athens had just two hits off Wellsboro starter Brock Hamblin until the sixth inning.

Meanwhile, Wellsboro had plenty of runners reach base, but only managed two runs off Lister.

Isaac Keane and Kaiden Mann reached base on errors to lead off the top of the second inning, and Hamblin flared a single to right field to load the bases.

After Lister hit Dylan Abernathy with a pitch to force home a run, he induced a pop fly on the infield, and registered two strikeout to escape further damage.

Darryn Callahan homered to dead center field to lead off the third to put Wellsboro up 2-1.

The Green Hornets maintained the lead until the bottom of the sixth inning.

“(Hamblin) kept us off balance. We were out in front quite a bit,” said Havens.“He had a really nice curve ball that kept buckling us.

“He had us guessing, so we really didn’t have a lot of good at-bats.

“They also ran down a lot of balls tonight,” noted Havens. “Their center fielder killed us in the first game, too.

Rude led off the sixth with a  double, and scored moments later on an RBI double by sophomore Caleb Nichols to tie the game at 2-2.

With one out, Lister, who had struck out in his first two at-bats, ripped an RBI double off the fence in left field to give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead.

“In the sixth, (Rude and Nichols) hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game, then Lister hit a bomb — I don’t know how it didn’t get out,” said Havens.

“(Lister) had a rough night at the plate, but he came through in the sixth inning,” added Havens.

Hamblin led off the top of the seventh with a single, but was wiped off the bases on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Connor Adams. After a walk to Callahan, the runners advanced to third on a groundout off the bat of Cameron Brought.

With Lister at the pitch-count limit, Sullivan relieved and induced a fly ball to left field on his second pitch to end the game and record the save.

“(Lister) pitched out of a few jams … when he had to be tough tonight, he was,” said Havens. “He did a great job.

“And, our defense played well behind him,” added Haven. “Our defense is really coming around. We’re really improving there.”

Wellsboro left eight runners on base, including five in scoring position.

Sullivan doubled and singled, and drove in one run, and Rude singled twice and scored two runs to lead Athens at the plate, while Nichols singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, Loister doubled and knocked in one run, and Kaden Setzer added a double.

Lister allowed two runs — one earned — on four hits, while striking out five and walking three to earn the win.

Athens, now 9-7, are scheduled to host Wyalusing Friday.

TIOGA CENTER — Eighth-grader Conlan Taylor pitched a complete game in his first varsity start, leading Tioga to a 5-4 win over Athens here Saturday afternoon in the nightcap of the “Battle at the Border” baseball showcase.

Taylor allowed four runs — three earned — on six hits, while striking out three and walking just one. He threw 86 pitches.

“He was outstanding,” said Tioga coach Kevin Evanek. “We knew he was that good. He works hard at it … he’s here every morning hitting off a tee. He does a lot of work in the offseason … he puts the time in, and it shows.

“And, he swings the bat as well as anyone. He’s going to be a great player, we’re fortunate to have him.”

“I’m looking forward to coaching him for five years,” added Evanek.

Athens coach Charlie Havens was impressed as well.

“He kept the ball on our hands, he kept us off balance, and he worked quick.

“He had a really good approach to the game,” added Havens. “He’s going to be fun to watch the next few years.”

After Taylor worked around a two-out single by Athens sophomore Cam Sullivan in the top of the first inning, the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the home half of the first.

With one out, junior Cobe Whitmore walked, stole second and moved to third base on a single by Taylor. Whitmore scored on an errant pickoff throw to first.

Senior Derrick Gage followed with a singled to put runners on first and third, but the Wildcats turned a 4-6-3 (Sullivan to junior Karter Rude to sophomore Mason Lister) to avoid further damage.

Taylor worked around an error in the top of the second, then the Tigers extended the lead in the bottom of the frame.

With two outs, senior Cole Williams singled up middle. After Williams moved to second on a wild pitch, and third base on a passed ball, junior Gavin Godfrey worked a seven-pitch walk.

Bailey then ripped a two-run double down the right-field line to make it 3-0.

Athens got on the board in the top of the third inning on a two-out RBI single by Sullivan.

The Wildcats tied the game in the top of the fifth inning on another two-out hit.

Dylan Merritt led off the stanza with a single, but was immediately replaced on the base paths by Kyler Setzer via a fielder’s choice groundout. Rude then belted a double to right field to put runners on second and third.

With two outs, Sullivan lined a two-RBI single to left field to make it 3-3.

Tioga answered quickly, however, with two runs in the home half of the inning.

Bailey reached on an infield single that was lost in the sun by an Athens infielder, and scored when Whitmore belted the first pitch he saw to deep left field for an RBI double.

With two outs, freshman Ethan Perry ripped an RBI double to center field to make it 5-3.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Kaden Setzer and Merritt reached on back-to-back errors that put runners on first and third. Kyler Setzer then ripped a single up the middle that ricocheted off Taylor, allowing Kaden Setzer to score, and leaving runners on first and third.

After Kyler Setzer stole second, Rude hit a grounder up the middle that Perry, at shortstop, fielded and fired to first base. Williams picked a low throw out of the dirt for the out on a bang-bang play.

“We thought we should have had a tie ball game, but we didn’t get the ball,” said Havens.

Taylor retired the Wildcats in order in the seventh to preserve the win.

Despite the loss, Havens is pleased with the way his team is playing.

“There’s nothing to be upset about with the way we played. It was a one-run ball game.

“We had some good hitting, and our defense is really coming around,” said Havens. “I’m pretty happy with how we’re playing right now. We had a 4-1 week.”

Evanek was pleased with with the win, but knows his team needs to improve.

“The bottom of our line-up struggled, but our top five hitters looked good.

“We were swinging late, and it really goes back to not seeing a fastball for two years,” said Evanek. “Our timing got better as the day went on, and I think it will continue to get better.”

Bailey doubled and singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs, and Taylor singled twice to lead Tioga’s nine-hit attack, while Whitmore doubled, scored two runs, and knocked in one run, and Perry doubled and drove in one run.

Williams singled and scored a run in the win, while Josh Reis and Gage each added a single, and Godfrey scored one run.

Sullivan stroked three singled and drove in three runs to lead Athens’ six-hit attack, while Rude doubled and scored two runs, Kyler Setzer singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, and Merritt added a single. Kaden Setzer scored a run.

Sullivan was tagged with the loss, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out three and walking one. Sullivan pitched two perfect innings of relief in the first game of the “Battle of the Border” earlier Saturday.

“Sullivan is eating a lot of innings for us, and saving our big arms for the games we need them in,” said Havens. “He’s really done a good job.”

Athens, now 8-7, hosts Wellsboro Wednesday, while Tioga, 1-1, travels to Newark Valley Monday.

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.

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.

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 — 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.

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.

MANSFIELD — Coleman Jeliff delivered a two-out walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift North Penn-Mansfield to a 6-5 win over Athens here Tuesday afternoon in NTL Large School Division baseball action.

Athens took a 1-0 lead in a back-and-forth affair in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by sophomore Mason Lister.

The Tigers answered with two runs in the home half of the inning. Noah Spencer led off the game with a single and a stolen base, then scored on an RBI single by Blaze Deitrick to tie the game at 1-1. One out later, Logan Choplosky ripped an RBI double to make it 2-1.

Athens tied the game with a run in the second inning, and took a 3-2 in the top of the third on an RBI double by Lister.

NP-M scored twice in the bottom of the fifth on just one hit to take a 4-3 lead.

Jaren Glisson and Gage Warner opened the top of the sixth inning with singles. A double steal, and a throwing error on the play plated Warner to tie the game at 4-4.

Cameron Fabian led off the bottom of the sixth with a single, stole second and third, and scored on an RBI single by Hunter Thompson to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead.

Lister, who entered in relief of starter Lucas Kraft with a runner on, avoided further damage, and left the bases loaded.

A pair of of NP-M errors in the top of the seventh resulted in a run that allowed the Wildcats to tie the game at 5-5.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Bryan Bogacyzk reach base on an error, moved to second on a two-out walk to Thompson, and scored when Jeliff stroked the second pitch he saw to right field for the game-winner.

Lister had three hits, including a double, and two RBI to lead Athens at the plate, and sophomore Gage Warner singled twice, stole two bases, and scored one run.

Juniors Karter Rude and Tucker Brown each singled and scored one run for the Wildcats, while Kaden Setzer and Kraft each added a singled, and junior Caleb NIchols and sophomore Cam Sullivan each scored one run.

Lister was tagged with the tough-luck loss, allowing an unearned run on one hit, while striking out two and walking three in 1 2/3 innings on the mound.

Kraft allowed five runs — three earned — on eight hits, while striking out seven and walking one in five innings of work.

Jeliff had two hits and one RBI, and Deitrick had one hit and two RBI to pace the Tigers at the plate.

Spencer earned the win for N-PM. He allowed two runs — both unearned — on four hits, while striking out five and walking none in three innings of relief.

Athens, now 4-4, travels to crosstown rival Sayre Thursday afternoon.