Hornets Top Rival North Penn-Mansfield, 13-6

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 7, 2023  /  Photo: Rachel Everheart

Wellsboro got off to a fast start in a 13-6 NTL Large School Division win over rival North Penn-Mansfield on Thursday, April 6.

The Hornets plated three runs in the top of the first behind a lead off double from junior Caden Smith, a base hit by senior Conner Adams, and a triple by senior Cameron Brought. Smith scored on Adams' base hit, Brought drove in Adams, and Brought crossed home plate on a ground out by senior Blake Hamblin. The Tigers cut into Wellsboro's lead In the bottom half of the inning. Alex Davis led off with a solo home run to center then Derek Litzelman later scored on a Kohen Lehman base hit, cutting Wellsboro's lead to 3-2.

Wellsboro held the 3-2 lead until the top of the 4th when they added an additional 5 runs to cushion their lead.

Smith singled between 3rd and short to reach base then scored as Brought homered, making it 5-2. Back-to-back singles by Hamblin and freshman Marek Mascho would lead to two more runs. Hamblin scored as sophomore Lucas Cuneo drew a walk with the bases loaded, then Mascho scored one at bat later on a single by sophomore Alec Magli. Sophomore Ryder Bowen would also score as he reached base on a walk and was brought home as Smith drew a walk with the bases loaded, putting Wellsboro ahead, 8-2.

North Penn-Mansfield rallied in the bottom half of the inning to once again cut into the Hornets' lead. Cody Hermansen and Andy Hermansen hit back-to-back singles to start the inning, followed by Easton Pequignot getting hit by a pitch loaded the bases for Peyton Gunderson. Gunderson singled to right field to score Cody Hermansen. After a walk by Davis, Litzelman singled scoring both Pequignot and Gunderson, making it 8-5. Davis would score the next at bat as Cooper Shaw hit a line drive to left, cutting the lead to 8-6.

In the top of the 5th the Hornets added two more runs to increase their lead. A walk by Hamblin and single by Mascho put two on for sophomore Gabe Sprouse, who doubled to left field to bring home both runners, and putting the Hornets up 10-6.

Wellsboro proceeded to add three more runs in the top of the 7th by Brought, freshman Cameron Owlett and Mascho to secure the win.

"We had some guys step up today in key situations and made some plays," head coach Steve Adams said. "Gabe had a big hit, he was struggling a little at the plate and he came through with a clutch hit. Magli made a diving play out in left to take some momentum away after Mansfield just scored and Cameron is hitting the ball hard. He hits a home run, comes on in relief, and does a nice job pitching. Marek Mascho did a great job on the mound, he did what we asked of him, and he went 4-for-4 at the plate. He's starting off real well, Conner was solid in the middle, and we had contributions from everyone and I thought we did a nice job staying focused and engaged for all 7 innings."

Mascho went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Hornets while Brought was 3-for-4, Smith and Sprouse were both 2-for-4, Magli was 1-for-3, Bowen and Hamblin were 1-for-4, and Adams was 1-for-5. Brought and Sprouse drove in 3 runs each and Smith, Adams, Hamblin, Bowen, Cuneo, and Magli all drove in runs. Mascho started and went three and a third innings to collect the win. He allowed 5 runs on 7 hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Brought came on in relief, allowing one run on 5 hits with 5 strikeouts.

North Penn-Mansfield had 11 hits on the afternoon, lead by a 2-for-3 performance by Davis. Litzelman, Cody Hermansen, and Andy Hermansen were all 2-for-4, and Lehman, Pequignot, and Gunderson had the remaining hits. Shaw threw three and two third innings, surrendering 8 runs (7 earned) on 11 hits with 3 strikeouts. Karson Dominick came on in relief, allowing 5 runs on 2 hits with 3 walks and a strikeout.

The win improves the Hornets to 4-1 overall and 4-1 in the NTL Large School Division. North Penn-Mansfield falls to 1-3, both overall and in the league. The Hornets are back in action at South Williamsport on Saturday afternoon.