THE WEEK AHEAD: CONTESTS START TO STACK UP AS WET WEATHER TAKES ITS TOLL (2024-04-14)

Northern Tier Sports Report
To paraphrase Journey, ‘The rain in the sky keeps on falling.’ It may be a bad dad joke but it’s not inaccurate as the last two weeks have been best described as washouts. That has forced teams to schedule games on consecutive days and double-headers, and even beseech their school boards to allow them to play on Sunday - and still not get some of them in.

Unfortunately, the pattern is unyielding, with good days Monday and Tuesday, followed by more rain from the middle of the week onward.

Still, the games must get played and maybe there will be a few breaks along the way to help the teams get them in.

BASEBALL

Monday, April 15

Canton (6-1) at Millville (3-3), 4:30 p.m.: One of the few teams that’s been able to play their schedule - more or less. The Warriors went 3-1 last week, and will be looking to start off this week strong.

Tuesday, April 16

Canton (6-1) at Troy (3-1), 4:30 p.m.: The two division leading teams in the NTL, and two of the top four teams in the District IV, Class AA standings. This one could be one to watch.

Williamson (1-8) at Wyalusing (2-2), 4:30 p.m.: Wyalusing has played one game in April this season, and saw Sunday’s game with Wellsboro get postponed due to lightning. The Warriors have lost seven straight.

NEB (3-2) at Athens (2-3), 4:30 p.m.: After a 2-0 start to the season the Panthers have gone 1-2 in their last three. The Wildcats have bounced back from an 0-3 start to the year by going 2-0.

Wednesday, April 17

Towanda (2-4) at NEB (3-2), 4:30 p.m.: Part of a busy week for the Panthers as they have four games slated for this week. The Knights haven’t played in a week, and will be looking to string together some wins.

Thursday, April 18

Towanda (2-4) at Athens (2-3), 4:30 p.m.: The first of two meetings between these two teams. It’s a reverse of the past couple of seasons as the Wildcats are young while Towanda has the veteran squad.

Wellsboro (0-1) at Troy (3-1), 3 p.m.: A double-header as their March date in Wellsboro was postponed. The Hornets haven’t played since March while Troy will be looking to get the sweep at home.

Friday, April 19

Sayre (1-2) at Canton (6-1), 4:30 p.m.: Canton won the first match-up way back in March and will look to stay undefeated in NTL play. Sayre’s lone win has come against Williamson.

Wyalusing (2-2) at NP-Mansfield (6-2), 4:30 p.m.: NPM won the first meeting 9-3, a win that sparked a 5-game win streak. The Rams have been up-and-down most of the season.

NEB (3-2) at CV (3-4), 4:30 p.m.: NEB rallied to beat CV at home earlier in the year, a theme for the Indians this season as they’ve had their fair share of close losses.

Saturday, April 20

Montgomery (7-0) at Towanda (2-4), 11 a.m.: The Raiders are on top of the District IV, Class AA standings. This will be the third game of the week for both teams.

Wyalusing (2-2) at Central Columbia Tournament, 11 a.m.: They’ll get Central Columbia and Mifflinburg, two teams that are a combined 7-2 on the season.

Troy at Shamokin Tournament, 11 a.m.: The defending champions will face off with Southern Columbia to start the tournament, who comes in 2-4-1.

Sullivan County (1-2) at NEB (3-2), 11 a.m.: The Panthers are breaking up their tournament after two failed Saturdays, beginning with their game against the Griffins.

SOFTBALL

Monday, April 15

Towanda (3-1) at NEB (3-0), 4:30 p.m.: A big match-up, with the Panthers not having played in April yet this year. Towanda is coming off a walk-off win over Elk Lake Saturday.

NP-Liberty (6-0) at Wyalusing (1-3), 4:30 p.m.: The Rams got their first win of the season on Sunday, but will turn around and get NPL twice this week. In fact, Wyalusing has six games schedule, with four of their opponents sporting winning records.

Canton (1-6) at Millville (1-4), 4:30 p.m.: Canton mercy ruled Millville a few weeks ago for their lone win so far this season, so they’ll be going for the season sweep. Millville is coming off a 17-6 win over CMVT.

Tuesday, April 16

Canton (1-6) at Troy (3-0), 4:30 p.m.: Troy hasn’t played a game at home since March 26 - opening day - and have out scored opponents 32-5 so far this season. 

Williamson (1-4) at Wyalusing (1-3), 4:30 p.m.: The third straight game for the Rams while Williamson is on a 3-game slide.

NEB (3-0) at Athens (1-3), 4:30 p.m.: Athens is coming off their first win while the Panthers will take their show o the road. All three of Athens’ losses have been close.

Towanda (3-1) at Horseheads, 5 p.m.: The third try to play this game. Horseheads has some strong pitching, so Towanda’s hot hitting will be tested.

Wednesday, April 17

Wyalusing (1-3) at NEB (3-0), 4:30 p.m.: The fourth straight game for Wyalusing, the third straight for NEB. This game was slated for last Wednesday, too.

Thursday, April 18

Troy (3-0) at NP-Liberty (6-0), 4:30 p.m.: The game Troy has circled on their calendar. It’s been pushed back a couple times but it could be one to decide the NTL Large School title. The Mounties have allowed just three runs all season.

Towanda (3-1) at Athens (1-3), 4:30 p.m.: The Knights will take their show on the road against an Athens team that’s been competitive despite their record.

Friday, April 19

Wellsboro (1-2) at Troy (3-0), 3 p.m.: A double-header for the Trojans. The Hornets are coming off a loss to Wyalusing on Sunday.

Wyalusing (1-3) at NP-Liberty (6-0), 4:30 p.m.: The second meeting in four days for these two. This will be the Rams’ fourth game in five days.

NEB (3-0) at CV (7-1), 4:30 p.m.: One of the biggest games of the week as these two are the top two battling it out for the NTL Division-II title. CV opened the season with a 7-game win streak before losing to Athens.

Sayre (1-1) at Canton (1-6), 4:30 p.m.: Sayre rallied to beat Canton in the season opener for both teams. Canton will be looking for some revenge in order to split the season series.

Saturday, April 20

Sullivan County (3-0) at NEB (3-0), 11 a.m.: The Griffins come in not only undefeated but out scoring opponents 54-13 so far this season. This is another game that’s been moved around a bit.

Wyalusing (1-3) at Central Columbia (2-3), 5 p.m.: The Rams take on the D4 power Blue Jays, who’ve had their fair share of troubles this year. They recently lost with a football score of 24-23.

TRACK & FIELD

Tuesday, April 16

Towanda, NP-Mansfield at Troy, 4 p.m.: The Trojans return home after a week off as they face the Knights, again, and welcome the Tigers.

Sayre, Wyalusing at Wellsboro, 3:30 p.m.: They moved this start up in order to get the teams home a little sooner. 

NEB, Canton, Williamson at Athens, 4 p.m.: A plethora of talent will be display, particularly in the girls’ sprints and distance.

Friday, April 19

Canton, NEB, Troy at Lock Haven: One of the biggest invites of the year as the three teams will test themselves against some of the best in the district.

Towanda at North Pocono Invitational: The Knights will face some of the best competition in District II, but it will likely be a late night for Towanda.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Monday, April 15

Towanda (3-2) at Galeton (5-0) (DH), 3 p.m.: The Knights are slated to play four times in six days, beginning with a double header out west. The Tigers have wins over the other NTL squads, including a 4-1 victory against Wellsboro.

Tuesday, April 16

Wellsboro (3-3) at Towanda (3-2), 4 p.m.: The NTL title is on the line with the Knights needing a win to force a split, having lost to the Hornets 4-1 earlier in the year.

Thursday, April 18

CV at Towanda (3-2), 4 p.m.: Towanda defeated CV 5-0 in their first meeting.

Saturday, April 20

Towanda (3-2) at Muncy (2-1), 11 a.m.: Both teams have wins over NPL - Towanda 3-2, Muncy 4-1.