Valley Sports Report
The Athens Minors had a tremendous run, winning 14 straight games at one point and advancing to the West Division Pennsylvania State Little League Championships, but it all came to a sudden end Saturday with a second loss in as may days, this one a 7-5 setback to Collier Township.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second, Athens' offense got in gear as Zach Jayne drew a walk, stole second and scored on a Nate Bradley base hit. Cory Stivason then blasted a home run to give Athens a 3-1 lead.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Collier Township rallied for three runs in the third inning for a 4-3 lead.
Athens tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on a double by Marc Felt and an RBI by Kaden Rude.
Collier Township took the lead in the top of the fifth with a run, and could have had more if not for a nifty double play that saw saw Felt field a grounder, fire to first base man Daniel Joyce, who fired a laser home to cut down a runner at the plate to end the threat.
Collier Township added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth inning for a 7-4 lead.
In the home half of the sixth, Joe Horn walked. Stivason then reached base on an an error with pinch-runner Braden Priester moving to third base. A Gavin Stein ground out plated Priester, but Athens couldn't manage to mount any more offense.
Stivason led Athens with two hits and two RBI, and Luke Newman had two hits, including a double. Felt added a double and Bradley had a single and an RBI.
Felt (four strike outs) and Stein split the pitching duties and combined to strike out six.
Athens finishes the season at 14-2.
