Junior High Hornets Start Season Off At 3-0
By: Ed Weaver | NTL Sports | April 18, 2024
The Wellsboro Junior High Baseball team defeated Williamson twice on Monday, then took a game from Cowanesque Valley Wednesday in their home opener before rain cancelled the second game.
On Monday at Williamson the Hornets swept the doubleheader, taking the first game 15-0 in three innings. Wellsboro drew 15 combined walks at the plate. Griffin Morral started on the mound for the Hornets striking out 5 and walking 1 over 1 & 2/3 innings. Jake Starkweather came in in relief and struck out 3 while walking 2 in the remaining 1 & 1/3 innings.
In game two Wellsboro pulled out a 10-9 come-from-behind win. Logan Johnson led the offense going 1-for-2 at the plate with a single, a walk, and reached on an error. Johnson scored all 3 times he was on base. Keegan VanZile came through clutch for the Hornets in the top of the 5th inning with a triple that put the Hornets ahead 10-9. Wellsboro also drew 10 walks at the plate in the game.
The combined pitching effort of Logan Stevens, James Doughtie, and Gage Baltzley combined for 11 Ks and 8 walks while only giving up 5 hits.
On Wednesday against the Indians, Wellsboro's offense exploded for 9 runs on 6 hits and 8 walks en route to a 9–0 victory. Reed Richardson led the offense going 2-for-3 at the plate with 2 singles, a walk, and scoring 2 runs. Wes Starkweather and Gabe Cuneo each hit a double to add to the offense. Griffin Morral threw a complete game no-hitter, striking out 10 while only allowing 2 walks over the 5 innings.
The second game against CV was called due to rain with Wellsboro leading 2-0 after the 2nd inning. At the plate Colton Reese was 1-for-1 with a double and Landon Owlett was 1-for-1 with a single and an RBI. Gage Baltzley pitched the 2 innings and struck out 4 while only giving up 2 walks. He did not allow a hit.
The Hornets are back in action on Monday at home against Canton.
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.
