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Seven Straight: Mid Valley Survives Pitching Classic, Pulls Away Late To Capture District 2 Class 3A Crown

Seven Straight: Mid Valley Survives Pitching Classic, Pulls Away Late To Capture District 2 Class 3A Crown

By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | May 26, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus

WILKES-BARRE — Through six innings Tuesday night at Wilkes University, offense was nearly impossible to find. Strikeouts mounted, opportunities disappeared and the tension around the field only continued to build.

Then Mid Valley finally found its breakthrough.

The Spartanettes erupted for five runs in the top of the seventh inning and rode another dominant outing from Ava Hazelton to defeat Lake-Lehman, 5-1, and secure the District 2 Class 3A championship, extending the program’s remarkable run to seven consecutive district titles.

For much of the night, it was the pitching matchup everyone expected.

Hazelton was electric in the circle for Mid Valley, overpowering hitters from the opening inning. The right-hander struck out 13 batters, allowing just two hits and one run while issuing no walks across a complete-game performance.

On the opposite side, Lake-Lehman’s Hannah Chipego matched her inning for inning and kept the Black Knights within striking distance all evening. Chipego scattered nine hits, struck out nine, and allowed just one earned run while battling through seven innings.

The game remained scoreless entering the seventh before Mid Valley finally cracked through.

Parker Bennett opened the rally and delivered a clutch RBI double to bring home the game’s first run. Moments later, Ariana Davey lined a single that plated two more runs and pushed the advantage to 3-0. Natalie Hricenak then delivered another huge swing, ripping a two-run double that suddenly turned a tense deadlock into a five-run cushion.

Even with the deficit, Lake-Lehman had one final response.

Chipego stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh and launched a solo home run to right field, providing one last spark for the Black Knights and avoiding the shutout. But Hazelton closed the door moments later, ending the championship battle and sending the Spartanettes into celebration.

The final score may suggest separation, but those in attendance witnessed something far different, a game balanced on the edge for six innings where one swing, one mistake, or one pitch felt capable of deciding the championship.

Mid Valley now adds another district plaque to an already impressive run while Lake-Lehman leaves after a performance that showed exactly why the matchup felt like a championship-caliber showdown from the opening pitch.

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