.jpg "Mills Makes Noise as Mid Valley Pulls Away Late Against Western Wayne")
Mills Makes Noise as Mid Valley Pulls Away Late Against Western Wayne
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | April 7, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
THROOP, PA — In a game that stayed tight through five innings, Mid Valley turned up the heat late—and Nick Mills made sure it ended with a bang.
The Spartans broke open a close game with a six-run sixth, powered by a towering grand slam from Mills, who continues to solidify himself as one of District 2’s most dynamic two-way threats. Mid Valley walked away with a 10–1 win over Western Wayne on Monday, but the conversation starts (and might end) with their do-it-all junior.
Mills didn’t just go deep—he also dominated on the mound, tossing six innings of three-hit ball with four strikeouts and just one run allowed. Scouts, take notes: Mills has the frame, the poise, and the production to make noise at the next level.
The game started as a back-and-forth chess match. Western Wayne struck first in the fourth, thanks to a sharp RBI single by Alex Decandis, and Lance Maiocco was dealing on the bump with eight strikeouts and just two hits allowed through five.
But in the bottom of the fifth, Mid Valley took advantage of a couple of errors and an RBI single from Lorenzo Hernandez to take a 4–1 lead. Then came the sixth—and the floodgates.
Hernandez added a two-run double, and Anthony Balashaitis stayed hot with a 2-for-3 day. Brett Yanoski closed it out with a clean final inning in relief.
Top Performers – Mid Valley Spartans:
Nick Mills – 6 IP, 3H, 1R + grand slam, 4 RBIs
Lorenzo Hernandez – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs
Anthony Balashaitis – 2-for-3, 2 runs scored
Brett Yanoski – 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Top Performers – Western Wayne Wildcats:
Alex Decandis – 1-for-2, RBI
Lance Maiocco – 5 IP, 2 H, 8 Ks
Ethan Lamberton & Vinny Baldini – 1 hit each
