LITTLE LEAGUE: TROY HOLDS OFF JERSEY SHORE, FORCES WINNER TAKE-ALL FOR SECTIONAL TITLE (2023-07-15)

Northern Tier Sports Report
ROME — Troy hung on by the tips of their fingers - literally - as they defeated Jersey Shore, 3-2, in Sectional Minors All-star softball action Saturday, forcing a winner-take-all game at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Troy broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the fourth, then watched Jersey Shore cut it to a 1-run lead with the tying run on third, and the winning run on second with two outs. A short pop up between first baseman Ally Allen and second baseman Meredith Palmer looked to be trouble, but Allen was to snatch the ball without running into Palmer, ending the game.

Blaklee Brown was strong in the circle, striking out 12 with five walks, one hit by pitch, and three hits, as she dueled with Jersey Shore’s Faith Wrench, who had 12 strikeouts, three walks, two hit batsmen, and four hits.

Troy’s defense, though, helped get them through, as they ended the first inning by getting a runner trying to steal third, catcher Marley Palmer making two tough catches behind the plate, and third baseman Lydia Blasz scooping up bunts.

That defense also stranded seven Jersey Shore batters, six of them in scoring position.

Marley Palmer went 2-for-2 with a run scored, and 2-RBI, while Brown (1-for-2) and Blair Teribury scored the other two runs. Blasz (1-for-2) also had a hit.

After a scoreless first inning Marley Palmer led off the second with a hit, worked her way around the bases, and took home for a 1-0 lead.

Jersey Shore struck back with a run in the bottom half of the inning. 

Troy nearly got another run in the third, but Meredith Palmer was caught at home after trying to steal on a passed ball.

They would get two more runs in the fourth, though, as Brown had a 1-out hit, followed by Teribury reaching on a walk. 

After a second out Marley Palmer drove them in with a single for the 2-run lead.

They were able to hold off Jersey Shore until the bottom of the sixth, as they rallied with two outs. Back to back hits brought in a run for them, while a walk saw them put the tying run on third. 

However, Brown induced to the pop up to Allen to get the win, and keep their season going at least one more game.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Troy’s Marley Palmer makes contact on her 2-RBI hit…PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING