Bottger’s Home Run, Fritz’s Arm Lead Wilkes-Barre Past Crestwood 4–2
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | April 9, 2025 | Photo courtesy Bob Gaetano Photography
In a tight matchup between Wilkes-Barre and Crestwood, it was a powerful blast and a gritty pitching performance that made the difference. James Bottger homered and collected six total bases, while Nathan Fritz went the distance on the mound to lead Wilkes-Barre to a 4–2 victory on Wednesday.
Both teams finished with four hits, but Wilkes-Barre capitalized on key moments at the plate and got a shutdown effort from Fritz to come out on top.
Wilkes-Barre Leans on Bottger and Fritz
James Bottger delivered the game’s biggest hit, launching a home run and finishing with a double as well. He racked up six total bases and was responsible for a chunk of the team’s offense. Koleton Davies also contributed a double, a stolen base, and scored a run. Alex Hufford chipped in with a base hit, while Omar Jerez swiped two bags despite committing a pair of errors in the field.
Fritz pitched all seven innings for Wilkes-Barre, scattering four hits and giving up just one earned run. He walked five but struck out eight across 105 pitches, facing 32 batters and escaping multiple jams with big strikeouts and solid defense behind him.
Crestwood Battles, But Can’t Convert
Crestwood put up a fight and tied Wilkes-Barre in the hit column, but they struggled to string together their offense. Zack Stavish and Chase Galella both doubled, with Galella scoring twice and collecting three total bases. Dylan Domzalski added a stolen base, and Jack Rogers recorded a single.
On the mound, Chris Litchkofski turned in a strong outing, striking out 14 over 6.1 innings while walking four and allowing four hits. He threw 100 pitches and faced 30 batters before giving way to Jaxon Fedak, who recorded two outs in relief.
Despite a late push with a three-run fifth inning and another run in the seventh, Crestwood couldn’t overcome a deficit that began to build in the third.
Defense and Clutch Plays Key the Win
Wilkes-Barre committed three errors, while Crestwood had two of their own. The defensive miscues didn’t prove too costly for the Wolfpack, thanks in large part to Fritz’s control under pressure and the timely hitting of Bottger.
Wilkes-Barre’s ability to deliver in key innings, including a run in the third and another in the fifth, helped them build enough cushion to hold off the Comets.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Wilkes-Barre:
• James Bottger: 2B, HR, 6 TB
• Nathan Fritz: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 5 BB, 8 K, 105 pitches
• Koleton Davies: 2B, SB, R
• Alex Hufford: 1 H
• Omar Jerez: 2 SB
Crestwood:
• Chase Galella: 2B, 3 TB, 2 R
• Zack Stavish: 2B, 2 TB
• Chris Litchkofski: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 14 K
• Jack Rogers: 1 H
• Dylan Domzalski: SB
Final Score: Wilkes-Barre 4, Crestwood 2
Box Score:
Wilkes-Barre – R: 4 | H: 4 | E: 3
Crestwood – R: 2 | H: 4 | E: 2
