Greater Pittston Township Survives Abington Surge in 15-14 Section 5 Minors Classic
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | July 12, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. — Greater Pittston Township built a big early lead, watched it nearly slip away, and made just enough plays down the stretch to edge Abington in a 15-14 nail-biter on Saturday in Clarks Summit. With the victory, GPT advances to Sunday’s winners bracket showdown with Valley View, while Abington drops to the elimination bracket with a chance to battle back toward the title game.
GPT came out swinging, jumping ahead 7-0 after just two innings thanks to a five-run first that featured a two-run double from Santino Rynkiewicz, an RBI walk by Anthony Cerasaro, and a pair of Abington miscues. The District 16 champs kept the pressure on in the third, pouring in five more runs on seven hits. Rocco Skula and Rynkiewicz each delivered RBI doubles, and Cortese added a two-run single as the lead ballooned to 12-4.
But Abington, the District 17 champion, wasn’t ready to call it. The boys in blue started chipping away and exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth. Julian Armezzani, Stephen Strauch, Jack Keeler, and Jake McCormack sparked the rally with base hits, and Connor Mitchell lit up the dugout with a two-run, inside-the-park home run that brought Abington within a run.
Mitchell finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Strauch also drove in three, and Abington racked up 15 total hits — matching GPA swing for swing. Eliot Karam and McCormack both had two hits, while Rowan Walsh and Timmy Deschaine each worked key walks in the comeback attempt.
Despite the pressure, GPT stayed composed defensively and got the final outs to seal the win. Rynkiewicz led the team at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Cerasaro added three RBIs of his own, and Colston Talerico, Yonki, Joseph Basile, and Simmons chipped in with multi-hit games.
GPT now prepares for a highly anticipated matchup against Valley View in Sunday’s winners bracket final, while Abington looks to regroup in the elimination round. Section 5 action continues to heat up — and if Saturday is any sign, more fireworks are on the way.
