Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — The Nichols-Tioga Little League Minor All-Stars rode a mid-game surge to a 15-8 victory over Waverly in the opening round of the Bottone Tournament here Monday evening.
Trailing, 8-4, N-T erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the third, then held Waverly to one run over the final three innings.
Damon Rockwell singled, Jake Robertson would reach on a fielder’s choice and Derrick Barto would load the bases when he was hit by a pitch. Nick Sargent delivered a run-scoring single while Robertson and Barto would come around to score on a throwing error on the play. Mitchell Taylor would reach base on an error, a walk to Sam Taylor would again load the bases and John Worthing delivered a 2-run single. He would score the final run of the inning on a single by Rockwell, his second of the inning.
Waverly grabbed the early lead, jumping out to a 4-0 advantage in the top of the first. Brendyn Stillman was hit by a pitch and Pierce Hendershot followed with a single. Liam Murphy followed Hendershot's single with one of his own and an error off the bat of Bradey Roney brought Stillman and Hendershot home. Murphy scored on a single by Jason Morales and Roney eventually scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Matt VanHouten.
Nichols-Tioga came back to tie the score in its half of the inning. Brady and John Worthing were issued back-to-back walks to start it off and Jordan Rockwell hit a fly ball to left field that was dropped, scoring Brady Worthing and putting runners on second and third. Jake Robertson then delivered a run-scoring double, plating John Worthing and advancing Rockwell to third. Rockwell would score on a wild pitch and Robertson would knot the score at 4-4 on a fielder's choice off the bat of Derrick Barto.
In the top of the second, Waverly added three more runs. Stillman was again hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Murphy reached on an error, as did Roney, scoring Stillman. Murphy would score on a wild pitch and Roney would come around to score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Chandler Whitmarsh.
Waverly starting pitcher Roney held N-T in check in the bottom of the second and Waverly added one more run in the top of the third to take an 8-4 lead as Hendershot ripped a 2-out double and scored on a double off the bat of Murphy.
After a scoreless fourth inning, N-T added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth on four walks, a fielder’s choice off the bat of Damon Rockwell and a pair of costly Waverly errors with the bases loaded.
Waverly added one run in the top of the sixth when Jason Morales walked and would eventually score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Codi Sindoni.
Damon Rockwell paced Nichols-Tioga’s hitting attack with two singles and two runs. John Worthing a single and three runs, Jordan Rockwell a single and two runs, Jake Robertson a double and two runs, Nick Sargent a single and a run.
Waverly pounded out nine hits with Hendershot registering a single, double, a run and an RBI, Murphy two singles, a double, two runs and an RBI, Roney two singles, two runs and RBIs and Morales two singles, a run, and an RBI.
Damon Rockwell also earned the win on the mound, scattering five hits over three innings while striking out five and giving up one run. Robertson pitched hitless ball in the final inning with one strikeout and one walk. Mitchell Taylor pitched the first two innings, surrendering seven runs on four hits and three walks.
For Waverly, Roney went 2 1/3 innings, giving nine runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout. A.J. Burkhart went 1 2/3, allowing six runs on one hit and two walks while fanning five. Murphy pitched one inning of hitless ball with three Ks and two walks.
In the other first round game, Mark Twain defeated NEBALL (no details available). Mark Twain advances to play Horseheads on Tuesday and Corning plays West Elmira in Tuesday's other game.
Waverly continues play on Wednesday in the consolation bracket.
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IN TOP PHOTO: Nichols-Tioga second baseman Brady Worthing throws to first for the out. MIDDLE PHOTO: Waverly pitcher A.J. Burkhart throws to home from his knees. BOTTOM PHOTO: Waverly shortstop Codi Sindoni moves in to corral a one-hopper as Nichols-Tioga’s Jake Robertson holds up off second. … PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR
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