Hornets Double Up Canton, Take Season-Opener 14-7

By: Ed Weaver  /  March 25, 2023

A 7-run 5th inning propelled the Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team to a season-opening 14-7 win over Canton on Friday, March 24.

"I like the way the boys battled the entire game," head coach Steve Adams said. It was a good start to the season."

The Warriors took an early lead following a lead off double by Holden Ward, who later scored. It wasn't until the top of the 3rd when the Hornets' offense kicked into gear. A single by senior Conner Adams with two outs, followed by a walk by senior Cameron Brought put two men on for senior Blake Hamblin. Hamblin singled driving in both Adams and Brought, putting Wellsboro in front 2-1. Canton got a run back in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game back up at 2-all.

Wellsboro retook the lead in the 4th on a run by freshman Marek Mascho, however the Warriors went back in front in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to 5 runs, making it a 7-3 game.

The Hornets didn't trail for long, as they exploded for a 7-run 5th inning, led off with a double by Hamblin. Hamblin, sophomore Gabe Sprouse, Mascho all scored before junior Caden Smith hit a three-run single, driving home freshman Drayden McGee, sophomore Lucas Cueno, and sophomore Alec Magli, before scoring himself, to put the Hornets in front, 10-7.

Wellsboro held Canton scoreless the rest of the way, then added four more insurance runs in the 7th. Brought, Hamblin, Sprouse and Mascho all scored in the inning.

Hamblin led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs and 2 walks. Cueno and Adams both went 1-for-3, and Smith and Brought were 1-for-4. Mascho scored three times on the afternoon, Brought, Hamblin, and Sprouse all scored twice, and Smith, Adams, McGee, Cueno, and Magli all scored once.

Smith started on the mound and went the first 4 innings, allowing 7 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts to earn the win. Brought came on in relief, throwing a scoreless 2-hitter with 6 strikeouts.

Wellsboro (1-0, 1-0 NTL Large School Division) is back in action on Tuesday, March 28 for their home-opener against Williamson.