MANSFIELD — Just a week and a day after the school’s basketball season ended with a PIAA second round loss, the Coudersport baseball team took the field for the opening day.
The Falcons spotted the Tigers a 5-0 lead after three innings and couldn’t fight all the way back in a 10-6 loss.
“Four of our starters are from the basketball team,” Coudersport coach Doug McClintic said. “I’m proud of the guys for coming back, for not giving up. But the pitching showed its youth.”
Coudersport got to within 7-5 entering the home half of the fifth inning following a four-run top half, but Mansfield scored three runs in the inning to go ahead 10-5.
Kipp Hillson hit a solo home run in the second inning for Mansfield (1-0), and starting pitcher Logan Adams helped his own cause with three singles.
Eli Harris (double) had three hits, and starter Elliott Hite also doubled, for Coudersport (0-1).
AT MANSFIELD
R H E
Coudersport 0 0 0 1 4 0 1 — 6 10 0
Mansfield 1 3 1 2 3 0 x — 10 10 0
Elliott Hite (2 SO, 3 BB), Blake Burgett (3) (2 SO, 3 BB), Josh Stevens (4) (5 BB), Aaron Wolfinger (4), Colby VanWhy (5) (1 SO) and Hunter Redmond
Logan Adams (2 SO, 1 BB), Derek Herbst (5) (3 SO, 6 BB) and Dylan Williamson
HR: Kipp Hillson (M) solo HR in 2nd
SOFTBALL
Cameron County 9, Bucktail 0
EMPORIUM — Laila Smith threw a season-opening three-hit shutout in leading Cameron County (1-0) over Bucktail 9-0.
Smith struck out seven in a complete game and didn’t allow a Bucktail runner to advance past second base in the win. She also had two singles and a double to lead the offense.
Sami Bickford (2 hits), Amily Schatz and Kaitlyn Burgett all had 2 RBI for Cameron County, which held a 2-0 lead before a seven-run sixth inning put the game out of reach.
“We played solid defense,” Cameron County coach Ralph McKimm Jr. said. “The hitting took a little bit to get going.”
Myka Poorman struck out seven for Bucktail (0-1).
