THE WEEK AHEAD: SPRING SPORTS ENTERS THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON (2021-04-25)

Northern Tier Sports Report
We’ve passed the halfway point on the sports calendar, though several teams are still trying to play catch-up, as NTL action gets hotter than ever this week.

BASEBALL

Monday, April 26

CV (5-7) at Wyalusing (5-1), 4:30 p.m.: The resurgent Indians will take the longest trip in the NTL as they head to Wyalusing. CV is coming off a shoot out win over Towanda, while the Rams defeated Athens, despite being shorthanded.

NEB (1-5) at Towanda (1-6), 4:30 p.m.: Two teams looking to pick up their second win. The Knights recently fell to CV and Canton, despite holding early leads, while NEB is coming off a loss to Wellsboro, but did beat Williamson last week.

Canton (9-2) at NP-Mansfield (6-3-1), 4:30 p.m.: A win for the Warriors, and they’re in the playoffs, as they try to keep pace with Sayre for the NTL Division-I title. 

Troy (3-5) at South Williamsport (7-2), 4:30 p.m.: The resurgent Trojans are coming off a good week that saw them go 2-1, including an extra innings loss to undefeated Sayre. The Mounties are one of the best teams in Class AA in District IV.

Wednesday, April 28

Athens (4-6) at NEB (1-5), 4:30 p.m.: Both teams are looking to stabilize after tough recent outings. The Wildcats have fallen from the NTL Division-I standings, while the Panthers are looking to build some momentum for a second half run.

Towanda (1-6) at Elk Lake, 4:30 p.m.: A non-league game for the Knights as they head East to try to find a win.

Troy (3-5) at Canton (9-2), 4:30 p.m.: A rivalry match-up as both teams have a lot of play for. Troy is looking to get back to .500 to make districts, while Canton wants to try and keep pace with Sayre before their big match-up Friday.

Wyalusing (5-1) at Williamson (2-6-1), 4:30 p.m.: The Rams will try to keep rolling as they head west, to face a Warrior team that’s still looking for their first league win.

Friday, April 30

Wyalusing (5-1) at NP-Mansfield (6-3-1), 3 p.m. (DH): A double-header to make up for the game at Wyalusing that was postponed. The Tigers have slowly crawled into the NTL Division-I race with just two losses, while the Rams eye a chance to continue to clear the field.

Athens (4-5) at Towanda (1-6), 4:30 p.m.: A rematch from the Knights’ season opener, that saw them lose to Athens 8-1, though it was just 4-1 for much of the game.

CV (5-7) at NEB (1-5), 4:30 p.m.: The Indians take the second longest trip in the NTL as they look to crawl their way back to .500. The Panthers will hope to get some home cooking going as they look to pick up their first win at NEB.

Troy (3-5) at Wellsboro (6-4), 4:30 p.m.: The Trojans will look to have a better showing than their mercy rule loss to the Hornets earlier in the season. Wellsboro will be looking to hold on to their division lead with a win.

Sayre (8-0) at Canton (9-2), 4:30 p.m.: The match-up that may decide the NTL Division-II title. Canton is one loss back, after falling to Sayre 20-7 earlier in the season. Sayre, though, looked mortal as they needed extra innings to beat Troy, the first time they’ve gone a full game.

Saturday, May 1

Lackawanna Trail at Wyalusing, 11 a.m.: A non-league match-up for the Rams as they play their fifth game in six days to try to make-up their schedule as quickly as possible.

SOFTBALL

Monday, April 26

Canton (7-4) at NP-Liberty (3-6), 4:30 p.m.: The first time these teams met Canton needed a walk-off hit to win, since then the two teams have gone in opposite directions. The Warriors will look to keep their momentum going this week.

CV (7-2) at Wyalusing (2-4), 4:30 p.m.: A rough weekend for both teams. The Rams went 0-3 at the Williamsport Tournament, the Indians lost to Towanda to fall further behind NEB in the Division-II standings. Both will be looking to change that this week.

NEB (6-0) at Towanda (3-5), 4:30 p.m.: Both teams are coming off big wins, the Knights finally breaking through against CV after three losses to start the week, while the Panthers eked two victories over Wyalusing, and Wellsboro.

Tuesday, April 27

Athens (8-1) at Wyalusing (2-4), 4:30 p.m.: A big NTL Division-I match-up, as both teams have one loss in the league each. This will be Wyalusing’s second big game in a row as they start a busy week.

Wednesday, April 28

Athens (8-1) at NEB (6-0), 4:30 p.m.: A big cross-over match-up of the two division leaders as the Panthers welcome Athens. This will be a key game for both teams as they try to keep hold of their division races.

Towanda (3-5) at Elk Lake, 4:30 p.m.: The Knights will hit the road for a non-league contest as they work their way back to .500.

Troy (3-4) at Canton (7-4), 4:30 p.m.: A big match-up for both teams, as the Trojans try to get back to .500 and earn a playoff spot, while Canton will look to continue their momentum they’ve gained over the past few weeks.

Wyalusing (2-4) at Williamson (1-6), 4:30 p.m.: The third straight game for the Rams, as they take on Williamson, who hasn’t won since their season opener.

Friday, April 30

Wyalusing (2-4) at NP-Liberty (3-6), 3 p.m. (DH): A chance for the Rams to make up a lot of ground in their schedule if they can get the sweep on the road.

Athens (8-1) at Towanda (3-5), 4:30 p.m.: The Knights will look to get revenge on the Wildcats, who beat them in their season opener. Towanda is coming off a big win over CV on the weekend.

CV (7-2) at NEB (6-0), 4:30 p.m.: The game that could go a long way to deciding the NTL Division-II title. This is must win for the Indians, who already have two league losses, and can ill afford a third to NEB. The Panthers have found a way to win close games all season, with victories over Wyalusing, and Wellsboro.

Sayre (0-8) at Canton (7-4), 4:30 p.m.: The Warriors defeated Sayre the first time up in the valley, so will look for the season sweep this time around.

Troy (3-4) at Wellsboro (7-3), 4:30 p.m.: It was in their first meeting that Troy’s bats came alive this season. It ended with a loss for Troy, but they’ll be hoping things will be different this time.

Saturday, May 1

Lackawanna Trail at Wyalusing (2-4), 4:30 p.m.: The sixth game in six days for the Lady Rams, as they furiously try to get back on track with their schedule. 

TRACK & FIELD

Tuesday, April 27

Canton (Boys 3-5, Girls 3-5) at Towanda (Boys 1-2, Girls 2-1), 4 p.m.: The Knights will look to bounce back from their loss against Williamson last week as they host Canton. The Warriors have been the busiest team in the NTL so far, and will look to try to get back to .500 this week.

NEB (Boys 0-4, Girls 0-4) at Williamson (Boys 6-0, Girls 5-1), 4 p.m.: The Panthers take the long trip out to Westfield for this meet. Though they haven’t picked up a win, they have several athletes who have performed well, especially in the throws.

NP-Mansfield (Boys 1-4, Girls 1-4) at Troy (Boys 3-1, Girls 4-0), 4 p.m.: The Trojans will look to remain unbeaten at home as they host the Southern Tioga team. After holding their first meet since 1997, this will be one of a few more home meets they will have this season.

Wyalusing (Boys 2-2, Girls 2-2) at Sayre (Boys 1-3, Girls 1-3), 4 p.m.: The Rams take a trip back to the valley as they take on Sayre. They’ve been short handed recently, but will look to get back to their winning ways this week.

Thursday, April 29

Wellsboro (Boys 4-1, Girls 4-1) at Towanda (Boys 1-2, Girls 2-1), 4 p.m.: A big match-up on the girls’ side, as the Knights will look to shake off their loss to Williamson. 

Friday, April 30

Troy (Boys 3-1, Girls 4-0) at Wyalusing (Boys 2-2, Girls 2-2), 4 p.m.: A make-up from earlier in the season, the Trojans will look to keep their strong momentum going, as the Rams will hope to get back on track at home.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Monday, April 26

Towanda (8-3) at Wellsboro (10-1), 4 p.m.: The match to decide the NTL title, the Hornets swept the Knights last time in Towanda.

Friday, April 30

Galeton (6-4) at Towanda (7-3), 4 p.m.: The Knights will look to sweep the season series against the Tigers, though they won just 3-2 in their last match-up.