Hornets Drop 10-9 Heartbraker To Jersey Shore In 9 Innings

By: Ed Weaver  /  March 30, 2025

Wellsboro rallied from trailing 7-3 midway through their non-league game with Jersey Shore, but were edged out 10-9 in the 9th by the Bulldogs on Saturday.

“Really good battle today against a solid Jersey Shore team," head coach Kyle Smith said. "They have good pitching depth and swing the bats well, but we didn’t  give in and just missed a few chances to win it late. After a difficult schedule to start, hopefully a performance like this will help our confidence moving forward."

The Hornets took an early lead in the bottom of the 1st with a 3-run inning. With the bases loaded an no outs, sophomore Coen Tennis singled to left field to score senior Gabe Sprouse. Later, with two outs, freshman Gabe Cuneo singled to right to score junior Marek Mascho and senior Alec Magli.

The Bulldogs then went on a 7-0 run, scoring one run in the 2nd, and two runs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th innings. Wellsboro then got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 5th.

Junior Cameron Owlett singled to center field to score Tennis and Marek Mascho after both drew walks to start the inning. Junior Max Mascho then reached on an error by the Bulldogs to score Owlett, cutting the lead down to 7-6. After a scoreless 5th inning Wellsboro tied the game up in the bottom of the 7th. Senior Ryder Bowen reached on another Jersey Shore error then advanced into scoring position on an Owlett bunt. Cuneo then drove Bowen in the next at bat on a shot to center field.

The Bulldogs scored twice in the top of the 8th but the Hornets answered right back in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run shot by Tennis to tie the game back up at 9-all.

In the 10th a passed ball allowed the Bulldogs' Hunter Enders to score the game-winning run.

Tennis led Wellsboro at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs. Sprouse, Magli, Marek Mascho, Owlett and Cuneo all had one hit apiece, with Owlett and Cuneo driving in two runs each. Marek Mascho suffered the loss in 1 & 2/3 innings of work, allowing 1 run on 2 hits with 2 walks and a strikeout. Cuneo and Max Mascho both threw 2 & 2/3 innings while junior Dylan Copp threw 2 innings.

The loss drops the Hornets to 1-5 overall (1-3 NTL Large School Division). The team is back in action Tuesday, on the road at Wyalusing.