THE WEEK AHEAD: DIVISION RACES SHOULD BECOME CLEARER, AS LONG AS RAIN HOLDS OFF (2021-05-02)

Northern Tier Sports Repot
The first week of May brings something for everybody, but the early part of the week looks a bit wet.

BASEBALL

Monday, May 3

CV (6-8) at Canton (11-2), 4:30 p.m.: Canton comes back from remote to take on the Indians. This game is important for both teams, but for different reasons. The Warriors need this win to keep pace with Sayre, while the Indians are 2-games under .500, and need the win to try and make the playoffs.

Towanda (1-9) at Wyalusing (6-4), 4:30 p.m.: It was a rough weekend for the Rams, as they dropped a double-header to NP-Mansfield, pushing them from second to fourth in the league standings. They did rebound with a win over Williamson, and now face their rival Knights, whose lone win this season came against the Tigers.

Williamson (2-8-1) at NEB (2-6), 4:30 p.m.: The Panthers won their first match-up, and need a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Wednesday, May 5

Canton (11-2) at NEB (2-6), 4:30 p.m.: It was a tight game in the first meeting, until Canton pulled away late. It’s another game that the Warriors will likely need if they want to keep pace with Sayre in the division standings.

Towanda (1-9) at NP-Mansfield (8-5-1), 4:30 p.m.: The Knights won their first match-up in Towanda for their lone win. Since then NPM has been on a surge, culminating with a sweep of Wyalusing over the weekend.

Wyalusing (6-4) at Troy (3-7), 4:30 p.m.: The first meeting between the two teams. Troy likely needs a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Rams need a win to stay in the NTL title race.

Thursday, May 6

NEB (2-6) at CV (6-8), 4:30 p.m.: An important game with big playoff implications. Both teams likely need the win to claw back to .500, and a spot in districts. It’s the first meeting between the two teams.

Friday, May 7

Millville (2-7-1) at Canton (11-2), 4:30 p.m.: The Quakers are having a down year, but every win counts for Canton as they try to hold on to a home playoff game. They’re currently seeded fourth, just ahead of Line Mountain.

NEB (2-6) at Sayre (11-1), 4:30 p.m.: Their first meeting is one the Panthers would like to forget, but NEB has won two games since then, while the Redskins are coming off their first loss of the season, falling to Waverly.

Troy (3-7) at NP-Mansfield (8-5-1), 4:30 p.m.: The Tigers got the best of Troy in their first meeting, but it was battle, so expect this one to be, too.

Wellsboro (6-5) at Towanda (1-9), 4:30 p.m.: The Hornets have stayed at the top of the NTL Division-I standings over the weekend, but their grip is perilous. They beat the Knights in their first go around, but needed to rally to do it.

Wyalusing (6-4) at Athens (8-7), 4:30 p.m.: The Rams just beat Athens in their first meeting at home, and this time they should have their full compliment of players. The Wildcats have clawed back to .500, and will need to stay there to make districts.

Saturday, May 8

Wyalusing (6-4) at Northwest, 4:30 p.m.: The Rams are 2-0 this year in non-league games, and they will look to keep that record unblemished this weekend.

SOFTBALL

Monday, May 3

CV (8-2) at Canton (8-5), 4:30 p.m.: The Indians eked out a win over Canton in their first meeting, way back in March. CV will need to win here to have any chance at catching NEB for a division title, as they’re two games back in the loss column. The Warriors are coming off a close loss to Troy.

Williamson (1-7) at NEB (8-0), 4:30 p.m.: The Panthers won easily in their first meeting, as the Warriors are searching for their first win since the season opener. 

Towanda (3-7) at Elk Lake, 4:30 p.m.: The start of a busy week for the Knights, as they try to claw their way back to .500. This is their second non-league game, falling to Warrior Run a couple weeks ago.

Wednesday, May 5

Canton (8-5) at NEB (8-0), 4:30 p.m.: The Panthers won the first match-up 9-1 over in Canton, but the Warriors will be looking to even the score. A big divisional game for NEB, as they’re just up two games in the loss column to CV.

Towanda (3-7) at NP-Liberty (4-8), 4:30 p.m.: The Knights won the first match-up a couple weeks ago, their first win of the season. Both teams will likely need a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Wyalusing (2-4) at Troy (5-4), 4:30 p.m.: The Rams return, and are scheduled to play four games in four days as they work to make-up as much of their games as they can. The Trojans are riding a 5-game win streak, coming back from an 0-4 hole to over .500.

Thursday, May 6

NEB (8-0) at CV (8-2), 4:30 p.m.: Quite possibly the game of the week for softball, as the Indians will likely need a win here to keep their division title hopes alive. It’s the first meeting between the two teams, and it should be a tough road test for NEB.

Canton (8-5) at Wyalusing (2-4), 4:30 p.m.: Despite missing most of the season, the Rams have only one loss in the league. However, they’ll likely need to sweep the week if they want to stay in contention for the division title. This is the third straight game for Canton against a good NTL team, so it could say a lot to where they are as a group by the end of it.

Friday, May 7

NEB (8-0) at Sayre (0-10), 4:30 p.m.: The Panthers won their first match-up, though Sayre put up a fight. This is the fourth game in five days for NEB, something a lot of teams will be dealing with down the stretch of the season.

Troy (5-4) at NP-Liberty (4-8), 4:30 p.m.: The Trojans’ win streak started with a victory over NPL, so they’ll be looking to take the season sweep.

Wellsboro (8-3) at Towanda (3-7), 4:30 p.m.: Towanda’s Pink Game as they look to avenge an earlier season loss to the Hornets. It was a close game over there last time, so expect another tough for the Knights.

Wyalusing (2-4) at Athens (13-3), 4:30 p.m.: The game a lot of people on both sides have been waiting for. They tied a top the NTL standings two years ago, and haven’t played yet this year. This will be the third straight game for Wyalusing.

Saturday, May 8

Towanda (3-7) at Wyalusing (2-4), 4:30 p.m. The two rivals meet for the first time amid a busy week for both, as this will be the fourth game of the week for both.

TRACK & FIELD

Tuesday, May 4

NEB (Boys 0-7, Girls 0-7), Towanda (Boys 3-2, Girls 3-1-1) at Wyalusing (Boys 3-2, Girls 3-2), 4 p.m.: A tri-meet between the Eastern Bradford County rivals. The Rams are coming off wins over Troy, while Towanda boys and girls recently defeated Canton.

Troy (Boys 4-2, Girls 5-1), at Williamson (Boys 7-0, Girls 6-1), 4 p.m.: A big match on the girls’ side as the Trojans look to rebound from their loss to Wyalusing. The Troy boys will look to knock off undefeated Williamson.

Friday, May 7

Athens (Boys 6-0, Girls 5-0-1) at Troy (Boys 4-2, Girls 5-1), 4 p.m: Another tough match-up for the Trojan boys, while the girls will look to give the Wildcats their first loss.

NEB (Boys 0-7, Girls 0-7), Wyalusing (Boys 3-2, Girls 3-2) at Wellsboro (Boys 4-2, Girls 4-2), 4 p.m.: Another tri-meet, as the the Rams look to top the Hornets, with NEB looking to improve upon their performances from earlier in the season.

NP-Mansfield (Boys 1-5, Girls 1-5) at Towanda (Boys 3-2, Girls 3-1-1), 4 p.m.: The Knights play host to the Tigers as they look to go into the final stretch of their season strong.

Sayre (Boys 1-3, Girls 1-3) at Canton (Boys 4-6, Girls 4-6), 4 p.m.: The last dual meet of the season for the Warriors, as they look to finish strong against former Small School rival Sayre.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Monday, May 3

Towanda (9-4) at Montoursville (13-2), 4 p.m.: The final match of the season for the Knights, as they face one of the top programs in District IV just before the post season.

Saturday, May 8

District IV Singles Tournament: The first tournament of the post-season will feature all the top tennis players in the districts.