Dallas Holds Off Hazleton Area in a Rainy Thriller
By: Matt Flanagan | Sportzwire | April 25, 2025 | Photo courtesy Sportzwire
What started as a cloudy evening quickly turned into a damp showdown as the Dallas Varsity Mountaineers held off a late charge from Hazleton Area to secure a gritty 4-3 victory on Friday.
Dallas jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the second inning. A wild pitch brought home the first run, followed by a clutch two-RBI single from Jude Nocito. The Mountaineers added one more in the third after a Hazleton error made it 4-0.
Hazleton responded in the fourth, capitalizing on a hit-by-pitch and a run-scoring single from Bryant Diaz to pull within one. But as the field got slick and the pressure mounted, Dallas’s bullpen came through.
Aaron Patton struck out six across 3.2 innings before giving way to relievers Nick Bednar and Conor Healey, who combined for 3.1 innings of scoreless, one-hit baseball to seal the win.
Jude Nocito led the way for Dallas at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Conor Healey added two hits. Zach Williams chipped in with a double and a run scored.
For Hazleton, Diaz led with two RBIs and a hit from the nine-spot, while James Festa reached base three times, drawing two walks and collecting a hit. The Cougars showed plate discipline with eight walks but couldn’t complete the comeback.
With the win, Dallas looks to carry their momentum into Tuesday’s matchup on the road against Berwick.
