Hornets shutout Troy 14-0 in 5 innings

By: Ed Weaver  /  May 3, 2018  /  Photo: Chris Manning

The Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team enacted some revenge on Troy in a 14-0 shutout on Wednesday, May 2.

In their last meeting back on April 5 in Wellsboro, the Trojans won 3-0 in 8 innings. This time, the Hornets only needed 5 innings to even the season series.

Troy was no match for senior Johnny Rowland, who struck out 4 and only allowed 2 hits on the afternoon, and threw 53 total pitches.

"A solid win for us tonight. One of the better games we've played all year," said head coach Philip Prough. "Johnny pitched well in the shutout. His defense is good behind him so he's not afraid to challenge hitters. We've only committed 1 error in the last 6 games. When pitchers know you can field and throw, it makes a big difference."

Offensively Wellsboro got on the board in the top of the first. Senior Dalton Prough reached on an error to lead off and scored to put the Hornets up 1-0 as sophomore Carson Davis doubled to right-center. The Hornets added 4 more runs in the second. Senior Caleb Tennis was hit by a pitch and senior Parker Mann scored for him on a wild pitch. Freshman Kaeden Mann singled and scored, junior Taynton Repard walked and scored, and sophomore Silas Wagaman walked an scored. Prough and Rowland both drove in runs during the inning on a sac-fly and double, respectively.

After a scoreless third the Hornets picked up where they left off with 9 runs over the final 2 innings. Prough led off the fourth with a triple then scored on an RBI single by sophomore Billy Lechler. Lecher came around to touch home plate on an RBI single by junior Cam Tennis to make it 7-0.

Wellsboro then added the game's 7 final runs. Kaeden Mann, Repard, Wagaman, Prough, Rowland, Lechler, Davis, and Cam Tennis all scored.

"Offensively, we are starting to hit our stride," continued Prough. "With 8 different players collecting hits, we know we'll put pressure on teams because we're solid throughout the lineup."

Prough and Davis were both 2-for-3 on the night with extra base hits, Kaeden Mann and Repard were both 1-for-2, Wagaman was 1-for-3, and Rowland, Lechler, and Cam Tennis were all 1-for-4.

Wellsboro (10-2, 9-1 NTL Large School Division) hosts rival North Penn-Mansfield on Friday, May 4.

"So while it's a good win, we can still work on some little things. Because Mansfield comes to town of Friday and as a rival game, we'll need to show up to win. Because that rivalry game is never predictable or has a favored team."