KINGSTON – While Joy Gallagher called Thursday’s game do-or-die, she also
said that there was no pressure on the Hazleton Area softball team going into
it.
That was because of players such as Allison Grohol, who the Cougars can
bring off the bench in the right situation.
Grohol delivered a key pinch-hit single during a two-run rally in the sixth
inning, then Gallagher’s single led to the winning run in the seventh as
Hazleton Area pulled out a 3-2 come-from-behind victory against Wyoming Valley
West.
“As a team, we got a little more focused,” Gallagher said of the Cougars’
late rally. “We know every game is do-or-die right now.”
Hazleton Area (10-3) moved into first place in the Wyoming Valley
Conference Class 3A ranks, one-half game ahead of the Spartans (10-4). The
Cougars can clinch the title with wins against Pittston Area today and Berwick
tomorrow.
“We’re halfway there,” said Hazleton coach John Dacostino, whose team
defeated Tunkhannock on Wednesday. “We knew we had to win four games this
week to win the title. As big as this game was, the next one becomes bigger.”
Valley West, which ends its regular season today at Berwick, appeared as
though it would continue to control its own fate. The Spartans grabbed a 2-0
lead in the bottom of the second inning, and led most of the game.
Kristen Dopko reached on an error, and Erica Faust followed with a
sacrifice bunt. Two errors on the play allowed Dopko to score and Faust to get
to third. Faust scored on a sacrifice bunt by Cassie Sailus.
The Spartans held that lead until the top of the sixth inning. Lindsay Kost
reached second base on an error, and went to third when Courtney Hudak
followed with a single. Hudak stole second, putting runners on second and
third with one out.
The Cougars had runners reach second and third in the first, fourth and
fifth innings, but Valley West pitcher Darcy Lantz worked out of all of those
jams.
“We came here knowing she was going to be tough,” Dacostino said. “Darcy
is the kind of pitcher who makes you think.”
Grohol, a freshman who came up next as a pinch hitter, had plenty of time
to think as she watched from the bench.
“You watch the pitcher and you time her pitches,” Grohol said.
In the sixth, she ripped an RBI single up the middle, pulling the Cougars
within 2-1. They tied the score when Hudak beat a throw home on Sarah Bevans’
sacrifice bunt.
“It really helps when you have more than nine players who can hit the
ball,” Gallagher said. “It takes a lot of pressure off. No one comes up
thinking they’re the one who has to hit the ball.”
When it comes to clutch hits, though, Gallagher is among the best as she
proved in the seventh inning. Adrienne Rebarchak walked with one out in the
seventh and took second on a wild pitch.
Gallagher had gone hitless in her first three at-bats, and realized she was
hitting the ball right to places where Valley West had placed fielders. So she
adjusted her stance and ripped a single up the middle, and Rebarchak scored
when the throw to the plate was wild.
Valley West, which has won five games this season in its final at-bat, got
a runner to third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Amber Jurewicz,
though, got a groundout to end the contest.
“It’s been almost 20 years since Valley West has won a title in
softball,” Spartan head coach Ted Fisher said. “We were a little anxious
going into this game. We made a few mistakes that hurt us, but overall, we
played a strong game.”
Hoban 5, GAR 0
WILKES-BARRE – Jill Worlinski, Kathleen Maloney and Kristy Gogick had two
hits apiece as Bishop Hoban clinched its second consecutive WVC Class 2A title
with a victory over GAR at Coal Street Park.
Marissa Orloski tossed a one-hitter for the Argents, who will enter the
eight-team District 2 Class 2A tournament as one of the top two seeds. Orloski
walked two and struck out 14.
GAR’s Megan Pekol broke up Orloski’s bid for a no-hitter with a single in
the sixth inning.
Northwest 11, Seton 1
PITTSTON – Lindsay May hit a two-run homer, helping Northwest Area clinch
its second consecutive WVC Class A title with a victory over Seton Catholic.
Becky Buerger and Josie Bonham had doubles for the Rangers, who took
advantage of 14 walks. Northwest (10-1) will enter the eight-team District 2
Class A playoffs as one of the top two seeds.
Jill Grant had a pair of hits for the Eagles.
Crestwood 1, Nantico*ke 0
WRIGHT TWP. – Angie Brown’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 16th inning
scored Kim Grosz, allowing Crestwood to wrap up a District 2 Class 2A playoff
spot with a victory over Nantico*ke.
Crestwood (11-5) gets the third of four spots available to WVC teams in the
eight-team Class 2A tournament. Grosz, who went 3-for-6 in the marathon game,
doubled to lead off the 16th, went to third on Jamie Muendlein’s sacrifice
bunt and scored on Brown’s fly out. Amy Licata also went 3-for-6 for the
Comets.
Jen Wisnewski allowed just four hits in 16 innings to get the win.
Nantico*ke’s Jess Brenner struck out 22 in the loss.
Nantico*ke 8, Wyoming Area 1
WRIGHT TWP. – After playing a 16-inning marathon against Crestwood,
Nantico*ke remained at the Comets’ home field and completed its regular season
with a victory over Wyoming Area.
Lauren Kurkowski had a double and a homer for the Trojans, while Mickey
Capizzi had two doubles for the Warriors.
Lehman 5, Meyers 4
LEHMAN TWP. – Becky Hubbell’s two-run triple in the bottom of the fifth
inning snapped a 3-3 tie, and Lake-Lehman held off Meyers to clinch a District
2 Class 2A playoff berth.
Winning pitcher Carla Chiampi was 2-for-3, with a three-run triple, for the
Black Knights. Melissa Sutliffe also had a pair of hits for Lehman.
Jessica Webster hit a triple for Meyers.
Tunkhannock 3, Coughlin 1
TUNKHANNOCK – Cassie Shiffer’s second double of the game drove in the
go-ahead run as Tunkhannock rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to
defeat Coughlin.
The Tigers had tied the score on Nicole Otten’s RBI single. Shiffer and
Alicia Antoine had two hits apiece for Tunkhannock. Kristen Watlock had a
double for Coughlin.
Hafey 7, O’Reilly 1
KINGSTON – Kristi Devens went 2-for-3 and tossed a three-hitter to lead
Bishop Hafey past Bishop O’Reilly.
A note for coaches
Final softball stats for the season can be reported between now and 7 p.m.
on Saturday in one of three ways: calling them in at 829-7229 (you can leave
the info on voice mail), faxing them in at 831-7319 (please call to confirm
we’ve received the fax) or e-mail them in at [emailprotected].
Coaches can call in the stats of players batting over .300. Please include
hits, at-bats and average for each player. Pitching statistics and extra base
hits can also be reported to verify what has been compiled from box scores
reported is accurate.
BASEBALL
Hoban 5, Northwest 2
WILKES-BARRE – Mike DeVincenzo tossed a five-hitter with 10 strikeouts as
Bishop Hoban clinched the WVC Division III title with a victory over
Northwest.
Jeff Craig hit a two-run homer in the third inning that put the Argents
ahead to stay.
Dallas 13, Nantico*ke 5
DALLAS – A.J. Harris went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI to lead
Dallas past Nantico*ke Area.
Ryan Gryskevicz hit a grand slam in the first inning for the Mountaineers.
Mike Hitzoer homered for the Trojans.
Hafey 9, Seminary 2
KINGSTON – Ryan DeCosmo, Ethan Dolan and John Brady each drove in two runs
to lead Bishop Hafey past Wyoming Seminary.
Tim Weist pitched five innings while allowing two runs on three hits for
the win. Chris Katyl had Seminary’s lone RBI.
Pittston 7, Tunkhannock 3
TUNKHANNOCK – Chris Barnic went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored to
lead Pittston Area past Tunkhannock.
Chris Yonki also drove in a pair of runs for the Patriots. Kevin McHale
went the distance on the mound to get the win, allowing three runs on 10 hits.
Ken Lillie went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Tigers.
Berwick 5, WVW 2
PLYMOUTH – Frank Jankowski pitched a three-hitter and went 2-for-3 at the
plate with a double and a homer as Berwick topped Wyoming Valley West.
Jesse Costello drove in both of Valley West’s runs.
Lehman 7, GAR 6
LEHMAN TWP. – Dustin Kapson’s RBI single in the bottom of the seventh
inning lifted Lehman past GAR.
The Black Knights trailed 6-5 entering their final at-bat, and tied the
score on a wild pickoff attempt.
A note for coaches
Attention baseball coaches, please call in your baseball statistics at the
end of your final game this week. Call 829-7227 and leave them on a voice mail
by 8 p.m. Saturday, or fax to 831-7319 or send via email to [emailprotected].
This is the final time the statistics will run. Hitting stats include at-bats
(minimum of 30), average (.300 or above), hits, runs scored, RBI, doubles,
triples and home runs. Pitching stats will include record, innings, hits,
walks, strikeouts and ERA.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Lehman 2, Nantico*ke 0
NANTIco*kE – Cory Spencer had six kills and Craig Kasper added five kills as
Lake-Lehman swept Nantico*ke 15-1, 15-1.
Lehman (15-0) captured the WVC regular-season title and the top seed in
next week’s District 2 playoffs. Nantico*ke (9-6) was bumped from the district
playoff picture.
Josh Baranowski had 23 assists for the Black Knights and Chris Coombs had
four kills. Bob Czarnecki led Nantico*ke with four kills.
Tunkhannock 2, Pittston Area 0
TUNKHANNOCK – Adam Holdredge had 15 assists and Francis Marshall had three
blocks and 12 service points to lead Tunkhannock to a 15-5, 15-2, victory over
Pittston Area.
North Pocono 2, O’Reilly 0
MOSCOW – Aaron Perry had 10 service points and seven kills to lead North
Pocono past Bishop O’Reilly, 15-8, 15-1.
The Trojans also secured the second seed in the District 2 playoffs.
J.C. Blewitt had six kills and 15 digs for the Queensmen.
Hoban 2, Dallas 0
DALLAS – Bishop Hoban clinched a District 2 playoff spot with a 15-5, 15-6
victory that knocked Dallas from the playoff picture.
Gary Blasco had 10 kills and Justin Verry added six for Hoban. Ryan
Chlubicki paced Dallas with 15 kills.
Abington Heights 2, Meyers 0
CLARKS SUMMIT – Scott Knoebel had 13 kills, Bryan Hargrove had 10 points
and Dave Douglass had nine points as Abington Heights earned a spot in the
District 2 playoffs.
WVW 2, Hazleton Area 0
PLYMOUTH – Ed Naperski had 11 kills, Mike Hischak had nine kills and Rob
Park added six blocks as Wyoming Valley West closed its season with a 15-0,
16-14 victory.
Rob Hillard recorded 15 assists for the Spartans.
District 2 playoffs set
The District 2 playoffs start Monday with eighth-seeded Berwick (10-5) at
top-seeded Lake-Lehman (15-0) at 7 p.m.
Three matches will be played Tuesday, but the third and fourth seeds won’t
be determined until Sunday night when Mountain View (11-1) and Western Wayne
(11-1) play for the Lackawanna League title.
The winner of Sunday’s match will host sixth-seeded Bishop Hoban (11-4) at
7 p.m. Tuesday. The loser will host fifth-seeded Tunkhannock (13-2) at 5 p.m.
The other quarterfinal match has seventh-seeded Abington Heights (11-4) at
second-seeded North Pocono (14-1) at 7 p.m.
The semifinals and finals are Thursday at Keystone College in LaPlume. The
highest remaining seed will play the lowest remaining seed at 5 p.m. The other
two quarterfinal winners will meet at 6:30 p.m. The championship match will
start at approximately 8 p.m.
Distict 2 tennis
Sem captures 2A doubles title
SCRANTON – Wyoming Seminary’s Jordan Koslosky and Tye Morris defeated
Scranton Prep’s Vikram Arora and John Nespoli 6-3, 6-4 to win the District 2
Class 2A double tournament at the University of Scranton.
Koslosky-Morris defeated Scranton Prep’s Nupan Patel-Joe Marchese 6-1, 6-1
in the semifinals, while Arora-Nespoli defeated Crestwood’s Pat Luchowski-Matt
Rogan 6-1, 6-3 in the other semifinal.
Williamsport’s team of David Baldys-Omar Tuffaha defeated Abington Heights’
Darpan Shaduk-Zach Herlands 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4) to win the Class 3A title.
Both district champions move on to the PIAA doubles tournament, which will
be held May 24-25 at Penn State.
