By: Ed Weaver / March 29, 2023 / Photo: Lance Larcom/ntwsportsreport.com
In their home-opener, the Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team exploded for 17 runs, earning their 2nd victory over the season, a 17-7 win over Williamson in 5 innings on Tuesday, March 28.
Senior Blake Hamblin and freshman Marek Mascho each went 3-for-3 and combined to drive in 9 runs.
Despite trailing by two runs after Williamson's first at bat, the Hornets plated four runs in the bottom half of the 1st inning, which they would never relinquish, to take the lead. After junior Caden Smith was hit by a pitch Hamblin drove him in on a shot past the 1st baseman. Hamblin would score two at bats later on a base hit by Mascho. Sophomore Gabe Sprouse, who was hit by a pitch, and Mascho both scored following a double steal to move them into scoring position, putting Wellsboro up 4-2 early.
The Hornets increased their lead in the 2nd with 4 more runs, starting on a lead off walk by sophomore Alec Magli. After back-to-back singles by Smith and senior Conner Adams, senior Cameron Brought hit into a fielders choice to score Magli, and would later score along with Smith on a double to left center by Hamblin. Mascho's second single scored Hamblin, making it an 8-2 lead.
After 3 runs by Williamson Wellsboro again tacked on 4 more runs in the 3rd. With two outs, Adams and Brought ripped off back-to-back singles. Hamblin singled to score Adams and Brought, Sprouse drew his 2nd walk of the afternoon, and scored along with Hamblin on Mascho's third hit.
Williamson added two more runs in the 4th and Wellsboro added one of their own in the bottom half of the inning on a Hamblin sac fly to score Smith.
Wellsboro closed out the game in the bottom of the 5th with runs by Mascho, freshman Drayden McGee, sophomore Lucas Cueno, and Magli.
Smith and Adams both finished 2-for-3 on the afternoon with Smith scoring three times and Adams scoring once. Brought finished 1-for-2 and Cueno was 1-for-4.
Smith earned the win in three inning, allowing 7 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits with two walks. Brought came on for the final two innings, allowing a hit and striking out three.
The win improves the Hornets to 2-0 (2-0 NTL Large School Division). The team is back in action Friday at Northeast Bradford.