Hornets edge Towanda, 9-7

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 15, 2021  /  Photo: Sarah Wagaman

Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the 4th inning, the Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team scored 4 runs and held the Black Knights scoreless the rest of the way to score a 9-7 win at home on Wednesday, April 14.

"We're glad to get another win," head coach Steve Adams said. "The boys are learning how to handle different situations. This is a good game to build off of."

The Hornets led off with 5 quick runs scoring two in the 1st and three in the 2nd. Senior Brock Hamblin got things going with a walk then scored during the next at bat as junior Darryn Callahan hit his 2nd home run of the season. Then in the 2nd junior Dylan Abernathy and sophomore Blake Hamblin both drew walks to lead off the inning. Abernathy scored on a wild pitch then Hamblin scored on a single by sophomore Conner Adams. Freshman Caden Smith, who hit a bunt single, later scored on another wild pitch.

Towanda's offense came to life in the top of the 3rd, and lasted through the 4th, as they scored a combined 7 runs to put themselves in front of Wellsboro. The lead didn't last long, however, as the Hornets scored 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the 4th to retake the lead at 9-7. Brock Hamblin started the inning by reaching on an error and advanced to 2nd to put himself in scoring position. Callahan then singled to center to score Hamblin to make it a one run game. After a walk by junior Isaac Keane, sophomore Cameron Brought hit a double to right to score Callahan to tie the game. Keane advanced to third on the play and later scored on a single by senior Kaeden Mann to put the Hornets back in front by a run.

Brought would later score after a double steal on a hit by Blake Hamblin.

Wellsboro then played three shut out innings for the win.

Callahan finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, drove in 3 runs, and scored 2 of his own to lead the Hornets. Brought was 2-for-3 with a walk and RBI while Mann, Brock Hamblin, and Blake Hamblin were all 1-for-3. Adams was 1-for-5 with an RBI. Adams started on the mound and threw the first 3 innings allowing 4 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks with 2 strikeouts. Brock Hamblin came on in relief for the final 4 innings. He allowed 3 runs (all earned) on 4 hits with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

The win improves the Hornets' record to 4-2 overall and 4-1 in the NTL Large School Division. The team will be back in action on Friday, April 16 for an NTL crossover game with Cowanesque Valley.