ATHENS PLATES 10 RUNS IN SIXTH INNING; TOPS TROY, 18-

By: Tim Birney  /  April 8, 2021  /  Photo: David Alliger

ATHENS — Athens scored 10 runs in the home half of the sixth inning to pull out an 18-9 win over Troy here Thursday afternoon in NTL Large School Division softball action.

The Lady Wildcats battled back from a four-run deficit to improve to 6-0 on the season. Just nine days ago, Athens blanked Troy, 13-0.

Senior Harley Sullivan walked to lead off the bottom of the first inning, and eventually scored on a passed ball to give Athens a 1-0 lead.

Junior Caydence Macik and sophomore Aliyah Butler stroked RBI singles to make it 3-0.

Troy tied the game in the top of third on RBO doubles by Olivia Tate and Tyra Williams, and an RBI single by A Wilcox.

Tate and Williams did more damage for the Lady Trojans in the fourth inning, with Tate belting a two-run double, and Williams stroking a two-run single to give them a 7-3 lead.

The Lady Wildcats answered with four runs in the home half of the fourth inning. Sullivan slammed a two-out, three-run home run to make it 7-6, and after senior Audrey Hatch reached on an error, Macik ripped an RBI double to left field to tie the game.

Sullivan worked a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning to force home Butler, who led off the inning with a single, putting the Lady Wildcats up 8-7.

Troy answered with two runs in the top of the sixth — on a two-out single by Lindsay Steele, and a two-run blast by Williams — to take a 9-8 lead.

In the home half of the sixth, the wheels fell off the wagon for the Lady Trojans, who committed seven errors in Athens’ 10-run onslaught.

Senior Mallory Mummert and junior Macie Coyle each delivered RBI singles in the rally, and Sullivan belted an RBI double.

Sullivan homered and doubled, scored three runs, and had six RBI to lead Athens at the plate, while Macik doubled and singled, scored three runs, stole two bases, and drove in two run, Mummert singled twice, scored two runs, and drove in three runs, and Butler singled twice, scored two runs, and knocked in two runs.

Senior Megan Collins singled, scored one run, and drove in one run in the win, while Coyle singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, Hatch scored three runs, freshman Ashlyn VanFleet scored twice, and sophomore Addy Repsher scored one run, and drove in one run.

Repsher earned the win in relief, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out four and walking two in 3 2/3 innings of relief.

Williams homered, doubled, and singled, scored two runs, and collected five RBI, and Tate doubled twice, scored two runs, and drove in three runs to lead Troy’s 11-hit attack.

Athens returns to action Monday at Wellsboro.