YOUTH: HOT BATS LEAD TOWANDA MAJORS SOFTBALL PAST CANTON FOR SECOND STRAIGHT DISTRICT 15 TITLE (2024-06-30)

Northern Tier Sports Report
WELLSBORO — The Towanda Majors softball All-stars finally found answer to Canton, step on the gas from the get go and never take your foot off. Towanda jumped out with six runs in the first inning, and kept scoring until they won 13-1 in four innings for their second straight District 15 title Sunday.

“The coaches are super proud of the girls as they played team softball throughout district play,” said coach Pete Aquilio. “The girls have bought in to what the coaches refer to as simple softball; focus on fundamentals, go to work every inning, and never get too high or too low. Towanda has been blessed to make it to the district finals three years in a row in Majors softball; back to back district titles is even more of a blessing.”

Towanda pounded out 17 hits in the contest, jumping out to a 6-1 lead in the first inning. They added four more runs in the second, another in the third, and then finished things off with two in the fourth.

Their top five batters went 12-for-14 on the day, as Taylor Aquilio (3-for-3) had a double with 3-RBI and three runs scored.

Emilie Maynard (3-for-3) had a triple with 2-RBI, and a run scored, while Kinley Thoman (2-for-3) had two doubles, and two runs scored. Kaylen Sluyter (2-for-2) had a double with 3-RBI, and three runs scored, and fifth batter Nina Gallagher (2-for-3) scored and drove in a run.

Adaleigh Jankowsky (2-for-3) also had a multi-hit game as Ailyn Dulaney (1-for-2) had a double with a run scored, and an RBI.

Emma Bride (1-for-2) and Bristol Edsell both scored, as Lizzie Stanton had 2-RBI. Rhyann Kithcart (1-for-3) also had a hit.

Thoman started, but Jankowsky took over after two batters, striking out three.

Raya Preston (1-for-1) had a hit as Brenna VanNoy scored their run. Preston struck out three from the circle.

Canton’s Cinderella run finally struck midnight, but what a run it was. After losing to Towanda, 11-10 in an 11-inning marathon game in the winner’s bracket, Canton strung off four straight wins, three of them in extra innings, and two by walk-off. During that run they avenged a pool play loss to Troy, beating them 2-0 to face Towanda for the district title, then became the only team to beat Towanda, winning 6-5 last Friday in a 7th-inning walk-off. 

“Kareem and the Canton coaching staff and team gave us everything we could handle all tournament,” said Aquilio. “They are a class act, and it was wonderful to see the Canton community come out and support the team. We have nothing but respect for their program, and it was an honor sharing the field with them.”

Towanda moves on to the Sectional Tournament, where they take on the District 12 winner on Wednesday with a 5:30 p.m. start all the way down in Sunbury. Win or lose they go back down there on July 4th.

“The coaches want to thank Towanda Little League for providing so much support over the years,” Aquilio said. “Sectional play will be a different animal as we will face fierce competition, but win or lose, we’ll keep learning, having fun, and building friendships that will last for years to come.”

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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING

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