Hornets Upset Athens In 9 Innings

By: Ed Weaver  /  May 10, 2023  /  Photo: Tim Birney

The Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team upset Athens 9-7 in 9 innings to knock off the previously undefeated Wildcats on Tuesday, May 9.

"This was our most complete game of the season," head coach Steve Adams said. "We executed on offense and defense. Dryden McGee started and pitched well and Dylan Copp got the win and was outstanding. I am very proud of all of their efforts tonight, from encouraging each other to executing in the game. The team played the game the right way. Great team win!"

The Hornets started right out of the gate, scoring 3 runs to take the lead. Junior Caden Smith led off with a single followed by back-to-back doubles by seniors Conner Adams and Cameron Brought. All three scored putting Wellsboro up 3-0.

Athens, however, battled back in the bottom half of the inning with 4 runs, taking the lead over the Hornets. Athens maintained that lead, then added to it with a run in the 3rd and two in the 4th to push the lead up to 7-3.

Trailing 7-3 entering the top of the 6th, Wellsboro put together their best inning of the night and would eventually tie the game. Sophomore Alec Magli led off the inning with a double, then Adams doubled and Brought singled. The three all scored, along with freshman Marek Mascho to even the score up at 7-all. Neither team scored in the 7th, sending the game into extra innings.

After a scoreless 8th inning the Hornets came to the plate in the top of the 9th with sophomore Gabe Sprouse due up. Sprouse drew a walk, freshman Cameron Owlett then put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Sprouse into scoring position. Sprouse scored in the next at bat to put the Hornets in front, 8-7, on a double by sophomore Lucas Cuneo. Wellsboro's final run of the game came as Smith drove in Magli after drawing a walk.

Wellsboro pounded out 14 hits on the afternoon, led by Brought's 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Smith finished 3-for-6 with a double, RBI and run scored. Magli was 2-for-4 with a double, senior Blake Hamblin was 2-for-5 with an RBI, Adams was 2-for-6 and scored 2 runs, and Cuneo and sophomore Ryder Bowen added solo hits.

Freshman Dryden McGee started on the mound and gave up 7 runs (4 earned) on 3 hits with 4 walks and a strikeout in three and a third innings of work. Fellow freshman Dylan Copp came on in relief for the final five and one third innings. Copp held the Wildcats scoreless, allowing 3 hits with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts to earn the win.

Wellsboro improves to 9-7 (8-5 NTL Large School Division). The team is back in action on Thursday for Senior Night against Jersey Shore.