MMI Edges Northwest 3–0 in Defensive Battle at RailRiders Stadium
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | Sportzwire | April 29, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media
Moosic, PA — On a stage fit for the pros, the MMI and Northwest high school baseball teams faced off in a tightly contested matchup Sunday at PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. In a game dominated by strong pitching and stellar defense, MMI emerged victorious with a 3–0 win, scoring all three of their runs in a decisive sixth inning.
For much of the game, both teams struggled to break through offensively. Starters Josh Witner (MMI) and Garrett Bau (Northwest) matched each other pitch for pitch, each going six innings and keeping their opponents off the scoreboard. Bau racked up an impressive seven strikeouts, while Witner proved just as effective by keeping Northwest from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Northwest threatened several times throughout the game, getting runners on base but ultimately falling short in clutch moments. Dom Cavuto was a bright spot in the lineup, collecting three singles on the day, but the team couldn’t find the timely hits needed to push runners across.
The breakthrough came in the top of the sixth for MMI. The heart of the lineup—Nick Pantages, Caleb Skuba, and Josh Witner—set the tone by reaching base and eventually crossing home plate. Witner helped his own cause by driving in one run with a double, followed by Tommy Horvat, who came through with a clutch two-run single to extend the lead.
MMI held strong defensively in the final frame, shutting the door to preserve the shutout. Witner earned the win on the mound, and the team’s timely hitting in the sixth proved to be the difference in an otherwise evenly matched contest.
It was a memorable experience for both teams, getting to play on a professional field, and they delivered a game worthy of the venue—highlighting the grit, skill, and competitive spirit of high school baseball.
