Trojans Hand Wellsboro 1st Loss Of Season

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 4, 2023  /  Photo: Chris Manning

A 7-run 3rd inning by Troy doomed Wellsboro in an 11-8 loss to the Trojans on Monday, April 3.

Prior to the third the Hornets held a 7-3 lead and got off to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st inning. Junior Caden Smith and senior Conner Adams started off the game with back-to-back singles, then both scored as senior Cameron Brought doubled. Troy would take the lead in the bottom half of the inning with 3 runs, but it didn't last long as Wellsboro plated 5 more runs in the top of the 2nd.

A lead off walk by sophomore Lucas Cueno and base hit by sophomore Alec Magli put two on for Smith. Smith doubled to score both Cueno and Magli, putting the Hornets back in front, 4-3. After a base hit by Brought, senior Blake Hamblin and sophomore Gabe Sprouse drew back-to-back walks. Both (freshman Cameron Owlett pinch running for Hamblin) would score, making it a 7-3 game.

After the 2nd the Hornets' offense went stagnant while Troy's exploded for their big 3rd inning to retake the lead at 10-7. Troy added one more run in the 4th to go up 11-7.

Wellsboro got a run back in the top of the 6th as Adams led off with a base hit, and later scored, cutting it to 11-8. The Hornets had a chance to tie the game late in the 7th with two runners on base and two outs, but were unable to pull out the win.

Smith led Wellsboro at the plate, going 4-for-5 while scoring a pair of runs and driving in a pair of runs. Brought and Magli were both 3-for-4, freshman Marek Mascho was 2-for-4 and Adams was 2-for-5. Adams scored twice and Brought finished with 2 RBIs.

Hamblin pitched two and a third innings, allowing 8 runs on 6 hits with 3 walks and a strikeout. Brought threw three innings, allowing just 2 hits with 3 strikeouts, and Smith threw two thirds of an inning, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits.

The loss drops the Hornets to 3-1 (3-1 NTL Large School Division). The team is back in action against rival North Penn-Mansfield on Thursday, April 6.