Ava Hazelton Spins Another Gem as Mid Valley Moves Within One Win of Penn State
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | June 4, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
The Mid Valley Spartanettes continue to make a run.
Playing with a trip to the PIAA Class 3A semifinals on the line, Mid Valley combined elite pitching, aggressive baserunning and a five-run fifth inning to defeat District 1 champion Villa Joseph Marie, 8-0, on Thursday.
The win advances the Spartanettes to Monday’s state semifinal, where they will face the winner of Pine Grove Area and Mifflinburg with a berth in the PIAA Championship Game at Penn State’s Beard Field on the line.
As has been the case throughout Mid Valley’s postseason run, Ava Hazelton was sensational in the circle.
The junior right-hander fired a complete-game two-hit shutout, striking out 13 while allowing just two walks. Hazelton consistently worked ahead in counts and never allowed Villa Joseph Marie to generate sustained offensive pressure, retiring hitters in key situations throughout the evening.
Mid Valley broke through in the second inning.
After working runners into scoring position, Parker Bennett ripped a two-run triple to put the Spartanettes in front. A passed ball later in the inning plated another run, giving Mid Valley an early 3-0 advantage.
The game remained competitive through four innings before the Spartanettes delivered the decisive blow in the fifth.
Mid Valley erupted for five runs in the frame, combining timely hitting, aggressive base running and relentless pressure that forced Villa Joseph Marie into costly mistakes.
The offensive attack was paced by Maddie Morano, who turned in a perfect 4 for 4 performance at the plate, drove in two runs, scored twice and stole five bases. Angela Laskowski added two hits, while Parker Bennett delivered a two run triple and Julie Prisco contributed an RBI single as Mid Valley finished with nine hits on the afternoon.
Villa Joseph Marie received hits from Charlie Dernoski and Anya Frabizzio, while Delaney Radtke battled through five innings in the circle despite defensive struggles behind her. The Jems committed six errors, several of which proved costly during Mid Valley’s five-run fifth inning.
For Mid Valley, however, the story once again centered on a championship-caliber performance from Hazelton and a team that continues to play its best softball when the stakes are highest.
Now just one win away from competing for a state title, the Spartanettes will turn their attention to Monday’s semifinal showdown, carrying both momentum and belief into the final week of the season.
Mid Valley Spartanettes
- Ava Hazelton: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 K
- Maddie Morano: 4-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, 5 stolen bases
- Angela Laskowski: 2-for-4, double
- Parker Bennett: Triple, RBI, run scored, walk
- Julie Prisco: 1-for-3, RBI, run scored
- Alyssa Mackey: Hit, run scored, stolen base
Villa Joseph Marie Jems
- Charlie Dernoski: 1-for-2, stolen base
- Anya Frabizzio: 1-for-2, walk
- Grace Sigmund: 2 scoreless innings in relief
What’s Next
Mid Valley advances to the PIAA Class 3A Semifinals and will face the winner of Pine Grove Area (District 11) and Mifflinburg (District 4) on Monday at a site to be determined. A victory would send the Spartanettes to the PIAA Class 3A Championship Game at Penn State University.
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