JV baseball falls to Mansfield in opener

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 12, 2015

The Wellsboro JV Baseball team droppd their opening game to Mansfield 12-6 on Saturday, April 11.

The Hornets jumped out to an early leading putting four runs on the board in the top of the first. Freshmen Dalton Prough, Johnny Rowland, Caleb Tennis, and Alex Kozuhowski crossed the plate with hits by Tennis and Freshman Kody Rice. The Hornets would give up two runs in the bottom of the inning and score another run in the top of the second as Prough worked his way around the bases.

Mansfield would capitalize on their opportunities in the bottom of the second as thy plated six runs on a series of hits. The Hornets offense would be stalled the rest of the way with Freshman Parker Mann scoring another run in the fourth inning.

Rowland threw two innings striking out one and walking one. Prough relieved Rowland with two innings on the mound striking out one and giving up three runs. Kozuhowski ended the game for the Hornets with two innings of pitching, giving up one run and striking out two.

"We have work to do defensively," remarked coach Shane Mascho. "This was our first time on the field this year and there were some angles we needed to take that we haven't had the opportunity to practice. Some of those defensive plays would have helped Johnny get out of the big inning. He did his job to continue to throw strikes."

Offensively, Mann, Tennis and Rice led the Hornets contributing two hits apiece. Kozuhowski and Freshman Trent Darrow and Nolan Lohr added hits for the Hornets. Mann had two stolen bases, with Prough swiping one.

"Offensively, we put the ball in play and did some good things on the basepaths. We have a team of ten 9th graders and one tenth grader, so we will see some growing pains to start the season, but we have some high expectations for these guys moving forward. They are hard workers," added coach Mascho.

The Hornets start 2015 off 0-1. The team will be back in action on Saturday, April 18 as they travel to Northeast Bradford.