Bad first inning dooms Athens in 10-0 loss to Jersey Shore for D4, Class AAA title.
By: Chris Manning | Towanda Daily Review | May 29, 2015 | Photo courtesy Chris Manning
2015 NTL and District 4 News
TURBOTVILLE - Going up against a team the caliber of Jersey Shore can make any player anxious.
But for Athens their nerves did them in worse than the Bulldogs as they fell 10-0 in five innings for the District IV, Class AAA softball title Thursday.
The Wildcats had two big errors during Jersey Shore's eight run first inning.
"We just didn't have it together that first inning," Wildcat coach Rich Decatur said. "Must have been nerves."
Athens' last title game appearance was in 2012 but only a few players remain from that run.
"I really know it was nerves," said Decatur.
Wildcat starter Jensen Dunkling did a good job not walking batters, issuing just two free passes, but gave up eight hits and six earned runs with no strikeouts.
"She pitched well," Decatur said.
Dunkling was one of two Athens base runners on the day as well. She reached on an error to lead off the first inning but was stranded on third.
Then in the top of the fifth Gabby Vosburg pinch hit and reached on an error.
Jersey Shore hurler Rebecca Caputo had five strikeouts in the no hitter while issuing no walks.
Averie Lorson and Brianna Stetts led the Bulldogs, going 2-for-3 with two doubles. Lorson had 2-RBI with Stetts knocking a run in.
Caputo was also 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and an RBI.
In the bottom of the first Jess Allen led off with a walk for Jersey Shore and she was doubled in by Lorson.
Caputo singled followed by Katie Cowfer hitting Lorson in with a ground out.
Stetts followed with a double that scored Caputo to make it 3-0.
With two outs two of the next three Jersey Shore batters reached on errors and all would score to make it 7-0. Allen would score the final run for the 8-0 inning.
From there Athens caught their stride defensively, only allowing two more runs, once in the third and once in the fourth.
While their season ended on a sour note the Wildcats were thrilled to be in the title game again.
"We had a great season," said Decatur.
And he expects it won't take three years before Athens is back in a AAA final.
"We've got some good eighth graders that are coming up through," explained Decatur. "We're only losing four seniors. We've got a great group of JV girls that are going to come up and help us out. We should have a really good year next year."
