Valley Sports ReportATHENS — After two close games against Southern Tioga, Athens was dominant here Sunday, claiming the District 15 Little League Majors Division title with a 12-2 five-inning win.
In the first meeting of the two teams, Southern Tioga rallied for a 9-8 win in the winner's bracket finals.
Athens rolled over Wellsboro, 17-3, in the consolation bracket finals, then rallied to beat Southern Tioga, 9-6, on Friday to force Sunday's game in the double-elimination tournament.
Southern Tioga scored twice in the top of the first inning, but Athens ace Molly McGrath allowed only two hits over the final four innings to earn the win.
Athens answered with four runs in the home half of the inning, and four more in the third inning to take an 8-2 lead.
Athens closed out the game in the fifth inning with four runs to invoke the 10-run "mercy rule."
McGrath allowed two runs — one earned — on four hits, while striking out nine and walking three in five innings.
Lindsay Ahern singled twice, scored one run, and had four RBI, and Livia Powers singled, scored one run, and drove in four runs to power Athens' 12-hit attack.
Hadley Liechty singled twice, scored three runs, and knocked in one run and Sadie Wanck doubled and singled, and scored three runs in the win, while Cece Shangraw added a pair of singles.
Terriana Orshal singled and scored three runs for Athens, while Nora Morales single and drove in one run, Khloe Butcher added a single, and Sophia Barrett scored one run.
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PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM.
