Hornets Hang With Jersey Shore Early, Fall To Bulldogs, 13-4

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 21, 2024

Wellsboro hung with Class 4A Jersey Shore through the first three innings, but ultimately suffered a 13-4 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday, April 20.

"We gave a good team a battle for 3 innings today, but came up short," head coach Kyle Smith said. "We will keep working on situational baseball and compete with everyone remaining on our schedule. We are learning to grind for 7 innings each day and we will be better for it long term."

The Bulldogs struck first with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the opening inning, to take a 2-0 lead over Wellsboro. However, the Hornets added a run in their next at bat.

In the top of the 2nd, junior Ryder Bowen reached on an error with one out, then scored on a sac fly by freshman Max Mascho, cutting the Bulldogs' lead in half. Jersey Shore added a run in the bottom of the 2nd to push their lead back to two runs, 3-1, but the Hornets came back strong in the top of the 3rd.

Sophomore Cameron Owlett led off the 3rd by reaching on an error. With one out sophomore Marek Mascho and junior Gabe Sprouse hit back-to-back singles. All three would score. Bowen would pick up an RBI driving in Owlett and junior Lucas Cuneo drove in Mascho and Sprouse, putting the Hornets in front, 4-3. Shore came back to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning, then proceeded to outscore Wellsboro 9-0 the rest of the way.

Wellsboro accumulated 7 hits on the day, led by Marek Mascho and Cuneo. Marek finished 2-for-4 and Cuneo was 2-for-3 and stole a base. Sprouse and senior Caden Smith were both 1-for-4 and Owlett was 1-for-3.

Sophomore Dylan Copp was credited with the loss on the mound, as he allowed 8 runs (5 earned) on 4 hits with 6 walks and 2 strikeouts. Bowen threw 1 & 1/3 innings, giving up 3 runs (all earned) on 5 hits with a walk. Sophomore Jacob Heckman also threw an inning, allowing 2 runs on 3 walks and a strikeout. He also hit two batters.

The loss drops the Hornets to 2-4 (1-3 NTL Large School Division). The team is back in action at home on Tuesday against rival North Penn-Mansfield.