Hornets win 17-0 slugfest over rival North Penn-Mansfield

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 10, 2018  /  Photo: The Home Page Network

After struggling in their last game against Troy with just two hits, the Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team pounded out 13 hits en route to a 17-0 win over rival North Penn-Mansfield on Monday, April 9.

The game was originally supposed to be played in Wellsboro, but unplayable field conditions forced the game over to Mansfield. The change had no effect on the Hornets.

The Hornets led off with an early run as senior Johnny Rowland reached on an error then stole a base to move in to scoring position. After back-to-back singles by senior Caleb Tennis and junior Cam Tennis, Rowland scored to make it 1-0.

Later in the third the Hornets went on a 10-run scoring barrage to blow the game wide open. Senior Dalton Prough led off the inning with a single and came around to score to make it 2-0. Sophomore Billy Lechler, Caleb Tennis, Cam Tennis, sophomore Carson Davis, junior Taynton Repard, and sophomore Silas Wagaman all scored before Lechler sent a shot over the fence on a three-run home run scoring himself, Prough, and Rowland to make it 11-0.

Wellsboro picked up where they left off in the fourth as Prough led off with another single and Rowland drew a walk. A base hit by Lechler loaded the bases for Caleb Tennis. Tennis hit his first career grand slam to empty the bases and give Wellsboro a 17-0 lead and win in four innings.

"It was a tighter game than what the score shows," said Wellsboro head coach Philip Prough. "We took advantage of it and when you beat your rival it's a good thing. We told the kids to expect a tight game (because of the cold). We figured Hillson would throw, he throws hard, he throws good, he just didn't get a lot of help behind him."

Caleb Tennis went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Wellsboro while Prough and Lechler each went 3-for-4. Cam Tennis finished 2-for-4, sophomore Jacob Trowbridge was 1-for-2 and senior Parker Mann was 1-for-1. Prough and Trowbridge also had doubles on the afternoon.

Rowland threw all 4 innings on the mound for his second win of the season, giving up 2 hits with a double and 3 strikeouts on 45 pitches.

Dylan Williamson and Kipp Hillson recorded the Tigers two hits, with Williamson's being a double. Hillson, Dylan Meyer, and Dewey Wise all combined to throw on the mound. Hillson recorded the loss in 2 and 2/3 innings, allowing 8 hits and 11 runs. Wise threw an inning and surrendered 6 runs on 5 hits  and Dylan Meyer threw a third of an inning and walked a batter.

The win improves the Hornets to 2-1 overall (2-1 NTL Large School Division) while North Penn-Mansfield falls to 2-2 (2-1 NTL Large School Division). The Hornets will be back in action on Wednesday, April 11 on the road in Athens.