NTL SOFTBALL: WYALUSING EDGES ATHENS, 3-2, IN 10 INNINGS IN BATTLE FOR FIRST PLACE (2019-04-17)

Valley Sports Report
WYALUSING "” Athens scored two runs in the top of the second inning, but Wyalusing ace Haley Jayne re-grouped and held the Lady Wildcats scoreless over the next eight innings and the Lady Rams rallied for a 3-2, 10-inning win here Wednesday afternoon in NTL Large School Division softball action.

With the win, Wyalusing (6-1 overall) improves to 6-0 in league play, while Athens (4-2) falls to 4-1.

"We started out very aggressive," said Athens coach Mickey Farrell. "We had four hits first two innings with Megan Collins getting the big hit that drove in two, then we went into a funk .

"This one hurt," noted Farrell. "Our kids played with a lot of heart and they were very upset with the loss, and they should be . If their not upset I'd be worried . 

"There are still a lot of games to be played and now we will be back at full strength," added Farrell. "Losing to two of the best pitchers in the area is not the worse thing; not believing in ourselves for the rest of the season would be . We will be fine."

Jayne out-dueled Athens ace Megan Bennett in the win.

Jayne gave up two runs on six hits, while striking out seven and walking one in 10 innings, but only allowed two hits over the final eight innings.

Bennett fanned 14 and walked none, but did hit two batters. She allowed three earned runs on six hits in 9 2/3 innings.

"Megan (Bennett) threw a really good game and just like with Waverly, we couldn't get the hits when we needed them," said Farrell. "Hats off to Wyalusing because they did."

Sophomore Harley Sullivan led off the second inning with a double, and moved to third base on a single by junior Haley Barry. With one out, sophomore Megan Collins ripped a two-RBI double to give Athens the lead.

Wyalusing tied the game with two runs in the home half of the fourth inning.

Both teams left a runner on first base in extra innings, but didn't seriously threaten.

In the 10th inning, under the "international tie-breaker," both teams started with a runner on second base.

Athens moved Collins over to third base, but stranded her there.

Emily Champluvier started on second base for the Lady Rams, and scored on a two-out RBI single by Laci Norton.

Athens returns to action Saturday at the Central Columbia Tournament, and will face Milton in the opening round.

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IN PHOTO: Athens junior Megan Bennett.