March Felt Like June No 2 Pittston Walks Off No 1 Hazleton in 13-12 Thriller
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | March 31, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
This wasn’t a regular season game.
This was a preview.
SportzWire Coaches Poll No. 1 Hazleton Area vs No. 2 Pittston and it came with everything you’d expect. Talent. Power. Momentum swings. And a finish that felt like postseason baseball.
Pittston walked it off 13-12 in a game that never stopped swinging.
Hazleton chipped early, but Pittston came out throwing punches.
A five-run first inning instantly set the tone, followed by another two in the second. Just like that, the Patriots had control at 7-2.
But No. 1 doesn’t go quietly.
Hazleton kept coming. Run by run. Inning by inning.
By the sixth, they flipped it completely putting up a five-spot to take a 12-10 lead and silence the home side for a moment.
For a moment.
Pittston didn’t flinch.
They answered with three runs across the final two innings, chipping away, applying pressure, and putting themselves right back in position.
And in games like this… that’s all you need.
Bottom of the seventh.
Game tied. Energy maxed.
And Pittston finishes it.
A walk-off sequence in a game that deserved nothing less.
13-12.
This game was loaded with talent and it showed.
Pittston
- J. Bradley: 5 RBIs, game-changing production
- E. Barr: 3 hits, triple, set the tone early
- G. Wardecki: 2 RBIs
- Z. Budzak: 2 runs, extra-base impact
Hazleton Area
- J. Hidalgo: 3 hits, 4 runs, 2 HRs monster day
- M. Rinker: 2 hits, 2 runs, triple
- D. Marino: 2 runs
- L. Hearity: 2 hits, 2 RBIs
This wasn’t just a win.
This was a statement game between two of the best teams in the state.
- D1 talent across the field
- College recruiters in attendance
- Media presence everywhere
And if this is a preview of what’s coming?
We’re in for a ride.
You don’t get many like this in March.
No. 1 vs No. 2.
25 runs.
Walk-off finish.
Remember this one. Because there’s a good chance we see it again with even more on the line.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter / X
YouTube
