Fifth-Inning Surge Lifts Palmyra Past Pittston in 7–3 State Playoff Victory
By: Matt Flanagan | Sportzwire | June 2, 2025 | Photo courtesy Sportzwire
A five-run fifth inning proved to be the difference as Palmyra used timely hitting and flawless defense to defeat Pittston 7–3 on Monday in playoff action.
Pittston got on the board early, with Beau Widdick driving in a run in the bottom of the first. After Palmyra tied the game in the top of the fourth—highlighted by an Aiden Willard RBI double and a tag-up by Willard—Nick Innamorati answered back in the bottom half with an RBI double of his own, briefly giving Pittston a 3–2 lead.
But the top of the fifth changed everything.
Palmyra exploded for five runs on four hits, turning the game around for good. The rally was capped by a two-RBI single from Jack Santana, who finished the day 2-for-4 with a team-high 3 RBIs. Willard, Julian Meley, and Santana each collected two hits to pace the Cougar offense.
Jonathan Strohecker earned the win for Palmyra, throwing six innings while allowing six hits and three runs. He struck out three and walked one. Braydon Bown came in to close the door and picked up the save.
On the mound for Pittston, Silvio Giardina went 4.1 innings, giving up six hits and seven runs while striking out four.
Innamorati, hitting from the nine spot, led Pittston with two hits in three at-bats and an RBI. Widdick added another RBI, finishing 1-for-3. Despite solid contact throughout the lineup, the Patriots couldn’t break through against a Palmyra defense that turned two double plays and committed no errors. Meley anchored the defense with eight fielding chances.
Palmyra advances thanks to a resilient fifth-inning rally, while Pittston’s early lead slipped away under pressure.
