BRADFORD-TIOGA LEGION BASEBALL: SAYRE TOPS ATHENS, 7-4 (24 PHOTOS) (2022-06-16)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Will Crossett tossed four strong innings, and Kannon VanDuzer had a big day at the plate to lead Sayre to a 7-4 win over Athens here Wednesday evening in Bradford-Tioga counties American Legion baseball action.

Crossett allowed one run on two hits, while striking out six innings and walking two to earn the win. Ronin Ault closed out the game for Sayre, allowing one run on three hits, while striking out three and walking one in two innings.

VanDuzer had three hits, including a pair of doubles, scored one run, and drove in three runs to lead Sayre at the plate, while Tanner Green singled and knocked in one run, and Karter Green and Hogan Shaw each singled and scored one run.

Jackson Hubbard, Ault, and Brendon Cook each added a single in the win, while Jake Burgess and Zach Garrity each scored two runs and drove in one run.

Caleb Nichols had three hits, including a triple, and scored two runs to lead Athens’ six-hit attack, while Jaren Glisson singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, Caleb Fritsch tripled and drove in one run, Cam Sullivan singled and scored one run, and Dylan Saxon crossed the plate once.

Gage Warner was tagged with the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits, while striking out two and walking five in five innings. Nicholas Jacob finished off the game with two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out one.

Garrity knocked in a run in the top of the first inning on a fielder’s choice to give Sayre a 1-0 lead, but Athens countered in the home half of the inning on a lead-off triple by NIchols and an RBI groundout off the bat of Sullivan.

Sayre took a 3-1 lead after 1 1/2 innings. Karter Green ignited the rally with a one-out walk, moved to second on a single by Hogan Shaw and scored on an RBI single by Tanner Green. Jake Burgess capped the rally with a sacrifice fly.

Sayre took advantage of a pair of walks in the top of the fourth inning. VanDuzer ripped a two-out, two-run double to make it 5-1, and scored on an error off the bat of Joey VanAllen to extend the lead to 6-1.

Athens struck back in the bottom of the fifth inning as Glisson stroked an RBI single, and scored on a wild pitch to close the gap to 6-3.

VanDuzer added an insurance run in the top of the sixth with an RBI double to plate Garrity, who reached on a lead-off error.

Frisch belted a two-out RBI triple in the home half of the seventh, but that the only offense Athens could muster.

Sayre, now 1-0, returns to action Monday when it hosts Towanda, while Athens (1-1) travels to Wyalusing.

——————

IN PHOTO 1: Sayre’s Will Crossett. … PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.