Northern Tier Sports ReportATHENS — Errors hurt Troy as they weren’t able to keep pace with Athens in a 14-4 loss in five innings during NTL baseball action Monday.
The Trojans had five errors on the day, with Athens taking a 5-1 lead after two. Troy cut it to 5-3 in the middle of the third, but Athens got those runs back in the bottom half.
After a scoreless fourth Troy chipped away with a run in the fifth, but the Wildcats ended the game with seven runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Mason Smith (1-for-1), Lincoln Chimics (1-for-2), Evan Woodward (1-for-2), and Joseph Frye scored all of Troy’s runs, with Brendan Gilliland (1-for-3), and Trey Teribury each getting an RBI. Reed Palmer (1-for-3), and Camden Allen (1-for-2) both had hits for the Trojans.
Allen started, and went two innings for the loss. He struck out two with two walks, four hits, and five runs, two of which were earned.
Frye tossed the third, striking out three with one hit, two walks, and two runs, one of which was earned.
Frank Harper pitched an inning, striking out one with one walk, four hits, and five earned runs. Gilliland came on for a third, allowing one hit, two walks, and two runs, one of which was earned.
Nick Grazul had a day for Athens, going 4 2/3-innings for the win as he struck out six with five hits, two walks, and four runs, two of which were earned. He also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and 2-RBI.
In the bottom of the second Chimics, and Allen had lead-off singles, with Chimics scoring on a Teribury ground out for a 1-1 score.
The Wildcats added four more in the bottom of the second, but Troy responded in the third with Smith reaching on a walk, followed by Frye reaching on an error.
Smith would steal home to make it 5-2, followed by Frye scoring on a passed ball for a 2-run game.
After Athens got those runs back in the bottom half Troy would get their final run in the top of the fifth when Woodward reached on a single. Smith singled him over, then two batters later Gilliland drove in Woodward with a hit. Troy would load the bases in that innings, but Athens got out of the jam.
The Wildcats would see their first five batters reach in the big fifth inning as they secured the win.
Troy (1-1) travels to Wyalusing on Tuesday.
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PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON
