Athens softball headed to AAA D4 final.
By: Brian Fees | Towanda Daily Review | May 27, 2015 | Photo courtesy Brian Fees
2015 NTL and District 4 News
TURBOTVILLE - Three years ago Jensen Dunkling was starting at third base for the Athens Wildcats as they reached the District 4, Class AAA final.
On Tuesday the senior was back at third base helping to lead the Wildcats back to the finals for the first time since that trip, beating Mifflinburg 9-3.
"We haven't been there since freshman year, three years we have been waiting to get back, it's pretty special," Dunkling said. "I played third base as a freshman, so to be back there after two years without it, it feels good to be back at third and back in a final."
Four Athens seniors were part of the team three years ago and those seniors are happy to be getting a chance to go back.
"It feels really good, it hasn't happened in a long time," senior Mackenzie Warner said.
The Athens players are happy that this group is the one going back to a district final.
"It's especially nice with this team, we love them," Allen said.
At the start on Tuesday it looked like the Wildcats would be in trouble as Mifflinburg had three runs in the first inning.
However, Athens had five runs in the third and four in the sixth to pick up the victory.
"We came back with hits, that's all that matters," Aubrey Allen said. "Everyone hit, everyone got on base."
After a week of sitting around waiting for this game the Wildcats were ready to play on Tuesday.
"A week of practice, we were done with practice, we wanted to play a game," Warner said. "We were ready."
Kaitlyn Testen had two hits and scored two runs for Athens and Dunkling had a double and scored a run in the win.
Lexi Morley had a hit and scored a run and Allen had a hit and scored a pair of runs.
Warner scored twice in the game for the Wildcats and Hannah Reid scored a run for Athens.
After Mifflinburg had three hits and three runs in the first inning, Allen held them to just four hits and no runs the rest of the game.
The last time Athens got to the district final they were defeated, this time they are hoping for a different outcome.
"It would be great to bring it back and go to states because no Athens team has gone to states," Dunkling said.
"I think we are the team that could represent it," Allen said.
The Wildcats now take on top seeded Jersey Shore in the final at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Turbotville.
"We are ready to take them on," Warner said. "We are ready to win."
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