Valley View Cougars Edge West Scranton in Nail-Biting Finish
By: Brad Loff | SportzWire | April 14, 2026 | Photo courtesy Brad Loff
Under the afternoon sun, the Valley View Cougars delivered a thrilling one run victory over West Scranton, prevailing 6 to 5 in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last out. What started as a pitching duel quickly turned into an offensive showcase in the middle innings, with both teams trading blows in a back and forth battle for supremacy.
Valley View broke the scoring open in a massive fourth inning. Maggie Hallett ignited the Cougars’ offense with a solo home run to left field, putting her team on the board. The hits kept coming as Zoie Krupovich followed with a hard ground ball single, and then Ashlyn Palickar ripped a line drive double to left field, scoring Zoie Krupovich. Mady Minelli continued the rally with a single that brought Ashlyn Palickar home. Courtesy runner A Krisiak, running for Grace Munley who had singled earlier, also scored on Ella Swingle’s powerful triple to center field, which also drove in Mady Minelli. By the end of the fourth, Valley View had amassed a five run lead.
West Scranton, however, was far from giving up. In the bottom of the fourth, they responded. After Laney Mackie drew a walk, Brianna Connor connected for a line drive double to left field, scoring Laney Mackie. Lauren Tumavitch then singled on a pop fly to left field, bringing in Brianna Connor and cutting Valley View's lead to 5 to 2.
The Cougars extended their advantage in the fifth inning. Maggie Hallett reached on an error by West Scranton’s shortstop Sydney Williamns, eventually leading to a run. Ashlyn Palickar singled, and Mady Minelli followed with a hard ground ball single, scoring courtesy runner Carissa Jenner. This pushed Valley View's lead to 6 to 2.
West Scranton refused to fade. In the bottom of the fifth, Julia Farkaly walked, setting the stage for Mia Tallo, who blasted a double to center field, scoring Julia Farkaly. Moments later, Laney Mackie singled on a pop fly to shortstop, bringing Mia Tallo across the plate. The deficit was now just two runs, 6 to 4, as the game headed into the final frames.
The sixth inning saw both teams stifled, with solid pitching from Grace Munley for Valley View and Kaleiah Connor for West Scranton. West Scranton put runners on base in the sixth with an error and a single from Allie Stanko, and pinch runner B Roche advanced to second, but the threat was neutralized.
The tension peaked in the bottom of the seventh. With Valley View clinging to a one run lead, West Scranton mounted a final charge. Mia Tallo walked, Sophia Deluca lined out, and Laney Mackie popped out. Brianna Connor kept hopes alive with a line drive single to right field, advancing Mia Tallo to third. Lauren Tumavitch then stepped up and delivered a pop fly single to shortstop, scoring Mia Tallo and making it a nail biting 6 to 5. With the tying run on base, Allie Stanko popped out to center field, ending West Scranton's rally and sealing the victory for Valley View.
Valley View Top Performers:
Ashlyn Palickar: 4 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 1 RBI, 2 doubles
Mady Minelli: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 2 RBI
Ella Swingle: 4 AB, 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 triple
Maggie Hallett: 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Grace Munley: 7.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO (Winning Pitcher)
West Scranton Top Performers:
Mia Tallo: 3 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 double
Lauren Tumavitch: 4 AB, 2 H, 2 RBI
Brianna Connor: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 double
Laney Mackie: 2 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 2 BB
Kaleiah Connor: 7.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO (Losing Pitcher)
Player of the Game:
Mady Minelli. Mady Minelli was a consistent offensive threat for Valley View, driving in two crucial runs and scoring one herself. Her timely singles in the first and fifth innings were instrumental in building and maintaining the Cougars’ lead, ultimately proving decisive in the one-run victory.
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