BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
ATHENS — Troy had a few too many defensive miscues against Athens Monday, and it cost them in their 5-3 loss during NTL Large School softball action.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the first Athens rallied in the second, tying the game up. It looked like Troy would get out of the jam, but what could have been an inning ending ground out turned into an error, and three more runs.
The Trojans rallied in the seventh with a Madi Palmer home run to make it a 2-run game, but the deficit was just too much against Athens’ Gretchen Hiley.
“Tonight’s game is all about defensive errors,” said Troy coach Wayne Pratt. “Playing a quality team like Athens you can’t make those mistakes. We did, they capitalized, and they were the better team tonight.”
Hiley struck out 12 from the circle for Athens, while allowing two walks, two hits, and three runs, two of which were earned. She also went 2-for-4 with a double, and an RBI from the plate.
Haidyn Watson got her first varsity start, going 1 2/3-innings for the loss. She struck out two with three hits, no walks, and four earned runs.
Olivia Champluvier came on, and held Athens at bay, with three strikeouts, three walks, two hits, and one unearned run.
Palmer (1-for-3) hit her second home run in as many games, while Marlee Stanton (1-for-2) had the other hit. Kali Ayres scored their run in the first inning.
Troy struck first when Ayres drew a walk, followed by Erinn Knapp reaching on an error. Both would move up a base on a wild pitch, setting up Champluvier’s bunt.
Athens went for Ayres, but she broke for home when the throw went to third. The throw to home beat her, but the catcher dropped the ball, allowing Ayres to score to put Troy up 1-0.
The Wildcats rallied in the second as Paul led off with a hit, followed by Ella Coyle getting hit by a pitch.
After an out Finan drove in Paul on a ground out to knot the game up at 1-1 with two outs.
May then hit one back to Watson, who tried to go home to get Coyle, but the catcher dropped the ball, making it 2-1 Athens.
A double by Schmieg scored May, then Schmieg scored on a Gretchen Hiley single for the 4-1 lead.
The Wildcats pushed another run across in the third as Jarvis drew an inning opening walk. She worked her way around the bases, finally taking home on wild pitch with two outs for a 5-1 lead.
The Trojans rallied in the top of the seventh as Stanton drew a lead-off walk. After an out Palmer hit her second home run of the second, cutting it to 5-3.
Hiley, though, ended the game with a fly out, and then a strikeout for the win.
Troy (1-1) has a quick turnaround as they travel to Wyalusing on Tuesday.
“We’ll try to get rid of our defensive mistakes, and I think we’ll do that,” Pratt said. “We learned a lot tonight, we’re ready.”
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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING
