WYALUSING ROLLS OVER ATHENS, 13-0, IN LARGE SCHOOL SHOWDOWN

By: Chris Manning  /  June 18, 2021  /  Photo: Chris Manning

WYALUSING — After playing to a hard fought, 16-14, win over NP-Liberty on Monday, turning around and facing the red-hot Wyalusing Rams was going to be tough for the Athens Wildcats. After going down 3-0 in the first inning things just got worse, and they ultimately fell, 13-0, in five innings during NTL softball Tuesday.

“Usually, these kids are singing away on the bus, and today they slept,” said Athens coach Mickey Farrell. “And today, you could tell it was a long game last night, but I don’t know if that played any part of it.”

The Wildcats tried changing pitchers, but nothing worked to slow down the Rams. While at the plate, they couldn’t figure out Wyalusing hurler Hailey Jayne.

“Hailey pitched a great game,” said Farrell. “We just couldn’t hit her … we just told them, ‘this one’s done with, it’s over with, just forget out it, and move on.’”

Athens had five hits on the day: Harley Sullivan (1-for-3), Audrey Hatch (1-for-3), Ashlyn VanFleet (1-for-1), Addy Repsher (1-for-2), and Megan Collins (1-for-2).

Aliyah Butler started, and takes the loss, going 1 1/3-innings, allowing one walk, four hits, and five runs.

Addy Repsher came in to pitch the next 3 2/3 innings, with one strikeout, three walks, eight hits, and eight runs.

The Wildcats didn’t get a runner on base until the top of the third, and by then it was 5-0 Wyalusing, thanks in large part to a three-run home from Callie Bennett in the first inning.

It was 7-0 in the fourth when Athens was able to threaten. Hatch led off with a single, followed by Repsher getting a two-out hit. However, Wyalusing got a put-out to end the at-bat.

The Rams went on to score six runs in the bottom of the fourth — for a few hot minutes the officials called the game, thinking it was the fifth, not the fourth — which gave Athens one last chance to keep things going.

They once again threatened in the fifth as Collins, and Sullivan both had hits, putting runners on second and third with two outs.

However, Jayne induced a ground out to end the game, giving Wyalusing the season sweep over Athens.

The Rams, now on an 8-game win streak, can close out the NTL Large School title with a win over Canton Thursday.

As for Athens, they’re going to refocus, and recharge, for the playoffs.

“We’re giving them a couple days off,” said Farrell. “We said we’ll see you Friday night. We’re not sure when we’re playing next week, but we are playing Shamokin, that’s pretty set.”