Spartans Explode in Seventh for Dominant Win Over Western Wayne
By: Brad Loff | SportzWire | April 4, 2026 | Photo courtesy SportzWire
A late-game offensive surge, highlighted by an explosive seventh inning, propelled the Mid Valley Varsity Spartans to a decisive 9-3 victory over Western Wayne. What began as a tightly contested matchup transformed into a showcase of Mid Valley's batting depth and strategic play.
The Spartans set the tone early, putting two runs on the board in the first inning and adding another in the second. Western Wayne responded in the bottom of the second, as Vinny Baldini reached on an error by Mid Valley left fielder Nick Pinto and later scored thanks to a single from Jameson McCollum, making it a 3-1 game. For much of the contest, Mid Valley's Brett Yanoski held the Western Wayne offense in check, keeping the scoreline manageable for his team.
However, the game truly broke open in the top of the seventh. Mid Valley erupted for six runs, turning a narrow lead into a commanding one. Christian Ellis initiated the rally with a double, scoring Jake Bondy. Bondy then delivered a triple of his own, bringing Zach Buza home. Buza continued the offensive onslaught with a single that scored Brett Yanoski. Pitcher Archer Long struggled to contain the Spartans' momentum, hitting Jeremy Cali and allowing Christian Ellis to score, and then Nick Hricenak was hit by a pitch. Sacrifice flies from Nick Mills and Joey Romanosky further extended Mid Valley's lead, pushing the score to 9-1.
Western Wayne attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, staging a two-run effort. Mitch Ferraro singled, followed by an Andrew Boandl single. Griffen Cello then singled, scoring Ferraro. Alex Decandis reached on an error by Mid Valley center fielder Aaron Merrifield, which allowed Ashan Stookey to cross home plate. Despite the late rally, the deficit proved too large to overcome, and the Spartans closed out the game.
Mid Valley's Brett Yanoski was a pillar of consistency on the mound, pitching all seven innings for the Spartans. He allowed seven hits, three runs (one earned), walked one, and struck out five batters, earning the win. For Western Wayne, Jameson McCollum pitched six innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on six hits, walking four. Archer Long took over in the seventh, allowing four earned runs on three hits.
Final Team Statistics
Mid Valley Varsity Spartans: Runs 9, Hits 9, Errors 0
Western Wayne: Runs 3, Hits 7, Errors 4
Top Player Statistics:
Mid Valley Varsity Spartans
Jeremy Cali: 4 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI
Nick Mills: 1 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 1 RBI, 3 BB
Joey Romanosky: 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI
Brett Yanoski: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI
Zach Buza: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 2 RBI
Jake Bondy: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI
Christian Ellis: 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 1 RBI
Aaron Merrifield: 3 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 1 BB
Nick Hricenak: 2 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI
Brett Yanoski (P): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
Western Wayne
Archer Long: 4 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 2 SO
Alex Decandis: 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI
Damian Glackin: 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO
Vinny Baldini: 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI
Jameson McCollum: 3 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI
Jake Grodack: 3 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI
Mitch Ferraro: 3 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 0 RBI
Griffen Cello: 3 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 SO
Andrew Boandl: 3 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 1 SO
Ashan Stookey: 0 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI
Jameson McCollum (P): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 SO
Archer Long (P): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
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