Valley Sports ReportATHENS — Nick Grazul and Kamdyn Wheeler combined to no-hit Northeast Bradford, 6-1, in NTL baseball action here Saturday.
Grazul struck out a dozen batters, walked three and gave up one run over six innings while Wheeler closed out the game with three strikeouts and two waks.
The Wildcats broke a 1-1 deadlock in the bottom of the fifth inning behind five singles, a walk and an error.
Connor Davison got things going with a fly ball single to left, then Wheeler followed with a walk. Eli Hobday laid down a successful bunt to load the bases, then Shea Davidson singled to right to score Connor Davidson and pinch runner Easton Paul to make it 3-1.
Following a base hit by Hunter Brennan, Grazul singled up the middle, scoring Hobday and Shea Davidson for a 5-1 lead.
Nate Gross would retire the next two batters, then Duncan Thetga would bring Brennan home on an infield error.
Despite their struggles at the plate, the Panthers managed to hang with their host through the first 4 ½ innings.
The visitors grabbed the early advantage as Anthony Johnson and Cooper Hugo drew walks, and Johnson moved up on a steal and wild pitch to put runners at the corners. Johnson would score on a wild pitch, but Grazul would strike out the next two batters to shut things down.
Athens responded with a run in the home half of the inning as Grazul singled, Brady Flynn would get hit by a pitch, then Grazul would score on Thetga’s single to center.
The Wildcats would load the bases in the first, third, fourth and fifth before breaking the tie. Flynn reached base safely in all four innings.
Athens finished with 10 hits with Shea Davidson going 3-for-4 out of the No. 9 slot. He scored one run and drove in two more.
Grazul supported his own effort on the mound by going 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI. Brennan, Connor Davidson and Hobday contributed one hit and one run apiece; Thetga added a hit and an RBI; Thetga added a hit and RBI; and Wheeler tacked on a hit.
The Wildcats improved to 6-1 while extending their win streak to four games.
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
