MANSFIELD — Towanda Minors Softball broke open a close game with a 9-run fourth inning to defeat Athens, 14-4 in four innings, to claim the District 15 title on Tuesday.

"It's really exciting," Towanda's Eme Maye said about the title. "We might be the first minors team to ever do this."

Towanda pounded out 13 hits on the day, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Athens came back with a 2-run second inning to make it a 1-run game.

Towanda scored two more runs in the third for a 5-2 lead, only to watch Athens stick around with a 2-run top fourth.

Then came the big inning.

"That was really cheerful," Maye remarked.

Maye (3-for-3) had three doubles, including a ground rule double that bounced over the centerfield fence, while scoring three times, and driving in three runs.

The ground rule double came during their big 9-run inning.

"That felt really good," Maye said. 

Gracie Vanderpool (2-for-3) had a double with 4-RBI as Charlee Wheeler (1-for-2) tripled and scored four times.

Brylie Blumenauer (1-for-2) doubled, scored a run, and had an RBI with Violet White (1-for-2) doubling, while driving in three runs.

Olivia Willey (1-for-1) scored, and had a double, as Adley Miller (1-for-2) and Ava Popovich (1-for-1) both scored, and drove in a run.

Kendra Cashdollar (1-for-3) scored twice with Jonica Owen (1-for-2) also crossing home.

Maye started, and went two innings with three strikeouts. Vanderpool finished out, fanning six.

Towanda will move on to sectionals, which District 15 will host, but first things first, they plan on celebrating the win.

"We're going to Pizza Hut!" said Maye.

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