Rowland goes the distance as Hornets down Canton, 4-1
By: Ed Weaver | NTL Sports | April 3, 2018 | Photo courtesy Chrissy Tennis
Senior Johnny Rowland threw a complete game and allowed only 5 hits as the Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team picked up a season-opening 4-1 win over Canton on Monday, April 2.
"Johnny threw great. Complete game with no walks on 76 pitches," said head coach Philip Prough. "It was a good opening day win. It's hard to simulate game time action so I was pleased."
Rowland also struck out 5 in his first appearance on the year.
After surrendering a run to the Warriors in the second inning, the Hornets didn't let it phase them and went to work in the bottom half of the inning. Senior Caleb Tennis led off with a double and sophomore Lucas Citrino walked to put two men on. Sophomore Silas Wagaman singled to score Tennis, then senior Dalton Prough singled to score Citrino and Wagaman to make it 3-1.
The Hornets added their final run in the sixth. Tennis again led off the inning with a double but was thrown out at third on a fielders choice during sophomore Carson Davis' at bat. Davis would later score as Rowland hit into a fielders choice four batters later.
Tennis and Wagaman both went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Wellsboro while Citrino went 1-for-1 with a walk. Prough, (1-for-3), Rowland (1-for-3), sophomore Billy Lechler (1-for-4), and junior Cam Tennis (1-for-3, double) added the rest of the Hornets' hits.
"Caleb started the way he left off last year seeing the ball well at the plate," continued Prough. "We had 7 players get hits and it was the bottom of the lineup that produced runs tonight. That bodes well for us down the road. We have some things to work on, as everyone does at this time of year. But it was good to get on the field and play. That's what we need more than anything - - just playing."
The win improves the Hornets to 1-0 (1-0 NTL Large School Division). The team will be back in action on Thursday, April 5 as they host Troy.
Ed Weaver is the owner of Circle W Sports in Wellsboro, PA, is the Sports Director for The Home Page Network and the creator of WellsboroAthletics.com and WellsboroFootball.com. You can follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.
