Hornets Fend Off Rival Mansfield After Big 3rd Inning

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 17, 2026  /  Photo: Matt Stevens

The Wellsboro Varsity Baseball team mounted a late rally to defeat rival North Penn-Mansfield 8-7 on Thursday afternoon.

The Hornets had an early 4-0 lead until the visiting Tigers plated 7 runs in the top of the 3rd to take the lead.

"We were very fortunate to get a win tonight against a much improved North-Penn Mansfield team," head coach Kyle Smith said. "The desire to compete once we fell behind was encouraging and Syler Pietrzyk did a phenomenal job on the mound."

Sophomore Griffin Morral started the game with a lead off walk then scored on a single to short by junior Coen Tennis. Tennis and senior Marek Mascho later scored as senior Cameron Owlett hit into a fielder's choice, putting the Hornets up 3-0. Morral crossed home plate again in the bottom of the 2nd after ripping a double to right field to reach base. He scored on at bat later as freshman Gabe Cuneo double to right.

North Penn-Mansfield's bats came alive in the 3rd, producing four hits that led to seven runs. They also capitalized on a Wellsboro error to bring in two runs. Following the inning the Tigers held a 7-4 lead.

After a scoreless 4th inning by both teams, and a scoreless 5th by the Tigers, the Hornets got the score within a run by striking twice in the bottom of the 5th. With one out junior Max Mascho singled on a line drive to right to score brother Marek, cutting the lead down to 7-5. Max Mascho scored on a single by freshman Gage Baltzley, bringing the score to 7-6. Wellsboro again held the Tigers scoreless in the top of the 6th then continued their rally at the plate in the bottom of the inning.

Wellsboro tied the game at 7-all as sophomore Reed Richardson led off with a walk, then scored the next at bat as Morral drove him home on a line drive to right field. The Tigers picked up two quick outs as they picked off Morral's attempt to steal 2nd and forcing a Cuneo pop out to 1st base. Wellsboro then capitalized on three straight errors by the Tigers to retake the lead. Marek Mascho reached on an error then advanced to 2nd as Tennis also reached via error. Marek Mascho scored the game-winning run as brother Max reached on another error.

Morral finished 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle to lead Wellsboro. Max Mascho went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored, and Cuneo, Marek Mascho Tennis, and Baltzley made up the rest of the Hornets nine hits on the day.

Marek Mascho threw two and a third innings, allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 2 hits to go along with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts. Junior Syler Pietrzyk came on in relief for the win, going four and two thirds innings. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Andy Hermansen (2-for-4) and Noah Musser (2-for-4) led the Tigers at the plate, combining for four of the Tigers' six hits. Hermansen went two innings, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts. Isaac Sparks took the loss, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts.

Wellsboro improves to 6-2 overall after the win (6-1 NTL Large School Division). The team is back in action Saturday morning for a non-league game at Coudersport.