Dallas Grinds One Out, Slips Past Hazleton Area in Rainy Battle
By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | May 1, 2026 | Photo courtesy Bob Gaetano
HAZLE TWP. — This one felt like a fight from the first pitch, and Dallas never backed down.
In a tight, rain-soaked matchup, the Mountaineers found a way late and held on for a 3-1 win over Hazleton Area on Thursday at Schiavo Field, handing the Cougars just their second home conference loss there since 2023.
It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t clean. But it was tough.
Dallas (11-4, 7-4) broke through in the sixth inning when Connor Healey singled and Brady Youngblood walked to set the table. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch before Peyton VanValkenburgh came through with a two-out single to right, bringing home the tying and go-ahead runs.
From there, it was about finishing the job.
Nick Bednar battled through five innings on the mound, working out of trouble multiple times while striking out eight. He kept Dallas within striking distance all afternoon before turning it over to Healey, who closed things out over the final two innings to earn the save.
Hazleton Area (13-2, 9-2) had chances early but couldn’t capitalize. The Cougars loaded the bases twice in the first few innings and came away empty both times. Their lone run came in the fifth, but they couldn’t find the big hit to take control.
Nick Cunniffe was strong in the loss, striking out 12 over five-plus innings and keeping Dallas quiet until the late push.
VanValkenburgh led the way offensively for Dallas with two hits and two RBIs. Healey and Ian English added hits, while Logan Hearity paced Hazleton Area with two hits, including a leadoff double.
In a game that never gave much away, Dallas simply made the one play it needed—and that was enough.
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