WAVERLY - In a pivotal STAC Central match-up, Owego picked up a game one victory, 2-1 to begin their three-game series with Waverly this week.

The Wolverines grabbed an early lead in the first inning, when Jack Pipher drove in Cooper Robinson with a single to left field.

The game remained scoreless for the next two innings until Owego jumped on the board with a run of their own in the fourth. 

Evan English reached base to lead off the inning with a line drive to center field. Connor Kotski drew a walk to put two runners on for OFA. Dylan Brace grounded into a double play, but advanced English to third. English would go on to score off a passed ball.

In the top part of the sixth, OFA scored the go ahead run that would ultimately decide the contest. 

Conlan Taylor reached base for the River Hawks on a dropped third strike. English and Kotski then worked back-to-back walks to load the bases. That brought Brace to the plate, who grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring pinch-runner, Sam Sherwood.

Taylor then went back to work on the mound and retired six of the next seven Waverly batters to earn the win.

Taylor pitched all seven innings, allowing four hits and one earned run, while striking out six.

English had Owego's only hit of the evening, to go with a run scored. Brace recorded his team's lone RBI, while Sherwood scored a run as well.

"We found a way to get it done tonight. We ran into a good arm in Ronin Ault, and he shut us down, but we managed to scrape a couple across," said OFA coach Nick Wegmann.

"Conlan gave us a great start. After giving up a run in the first, he really settled in."

"Although we didn't have a great night at the plate, we pitched and played defense. That keeps you in ball games," added Wegmann.

Owego will try to secure game two against Waverly, Wednesday on their home diamond.

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PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY