Montigney’s Late-Inning Heroics Lift Pittston Over Hazleton Area in 6-4 Road Win
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | April 3, 2025 | Photo courtesy Bob Gaetano
In a tight and emotional contest on Thursday, the Pittston Area Varsity Patriots used a sixth-inning surge to edge past the Hazleton Area Varsity Cougars, 6-4, on the road. With the game tied at four in the top of the sixth, first baseman Chase Montigney came through with a clutch two-run single that proved to be the game-winner, sealing a gritty performance from the Patriots.
Montigney, who finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBI, delivered in the big moments throughout the game. He opened the scoring for Pittston in the third inning with an RBI single, then broke the tie again in the sixth with another well-timed knock. He accounted for one-third of the Patriots’ total hits.
Pittston (6 R, 9 H, 1 E) got key offensive contributions from Santino Giardina, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, and J. Aftewicz, whose RBI double in the fourth extended the Patriots’ lead to 4-1. Catcher Aftewicz also drove in two on the day.
Hazleton (4 R, 6 H, 1 E) responded in the bottom of the third when Ryan Racho executed a sacrifice bunt that tied the game at 1. After trailing 4-1, the Cougars clawed back in the fifth, thanks to smart base running and situational play. Ryan Schmidt tagged up and scored to even the score at 4-4.
Pittston’s pitching staff held strong late. Starter E. Barr went 4.0 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 earned runs, and 3 walks while striking out three. Reliever B. Widdick picked up the win, tossing 3.0 innings and allowing just one run on one hit, with three strikeouts and two walks. He threw 54 pitches, 34 of them for strikes, showcasing command in the closing frames.
Hazleton’s starter Dom Marino went 3.2 innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 5 hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Reliever C. Peters was tagged with the loss after surrendering two earned runs over 2.0 innings of work. J. Espositoclosed the final 1.1 innings scoreless with a pair of strikeouts.
Hazleton’s lineup showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks. Catcher Nick Ledger led the way with a 1-for-3 performance and two RBI. Other hits came from Logan Hearity, Marcos Gil Pena, Bryant Diaz, Dom Marino, and Ryan Racho.
Despite a strong effort and late-inning hustle, Hazleton couldn’t push across the tying run after Pittston’s sixth-inning outburst.
Top Scorers & Stat Breakdown:
Pittston Area Patriots:
• Chase Montigney (#25): 3-for-4, 3 RBI
• Santino Giardina (#7): 3-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
• J. Aftewicz (#4): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB
• K. Kroski (#21): 1-for-3, 1 R, SB
• E. Barr (#17): 2 BB, 2 R
Hazleton Area Cougars:
• Nick Ledger (#4): 1-for-3, 2 RBI
• Ryan Racho (#6): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, BB, SAC
• Logan Hearity (#22), Marcos Gil Pena (#14), Bryant Diaz (#5), Dom Marino (#3): 1 hit each
• Dom Marino: 2 BB, 1 H in 3.2 IP, 4 ER
• J. Esposito: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
Next up for Hazleton Area is a matchup against Spring-Ford.
