.jpeg "Wyoming Valley West Delivers Stinging Upset to Top-Ranked Pittston Area")
Wyoming Valley West Delivers Stinging Upset to Top-Ranked Pittston Area
By: Brad Loff | SportzWire | April 9, 2026 | Photo courtesy Cairon Rivers
In a stunning upset, Wyoming Valley West rallied back from an early deficit to defeat SportzWire's number one ranked Pittston Area with an impressive 8-4 victory. What started as a tight matchup turned into a showcase of resilient hitting and clutch pitching, particularly in the middle innings.
The Pittston Area Patriots drew first blood in the top of the second inning. After Kellen Kroski reached on an error and advanced, Ryan Noone delivered a crucial double to left field, bringing Max Mihalka, running for Kellen Kroski, home to give Pittston Area a 1-0 lead.
Wyoming Valley West responded in the bottom of the third. After Noah Fetko and D'Vonte Rivers drew walks, Noah Fetko advanced to third on a stolen base. Damien Eastman then singled to center field, tying the game at 1-1 as Noah Fetko crossed the plate.
The Pittston Area Patriots launched another offensive wave in the top of the fourth. Ryan Noone walked, and Zach Budzak singled, putting runners on base. Nick Innamoratti then singled to load the bases. Elijah Barr drew a walk, forcing home Zach Budzak for a 2-1 lead. Joe Bradley followed with a single to second, scoring Nick Innamoratti. Kellen Kroski added another single, bringing home Jacoby Harnen, extending Pittston Area's lead to 4-1.
However, the tide dramatically turned in the bottom of the fifth. D'Vonte Rivers and Damien Eastman walked, and Max Mylet singled to right field, scoring D'Vonte Rivers to narrow the gap to 4-2. Walks continued to plague Pittston Area's pitching, as Tanner Ragukas and Connor Lehman also drew free passes, with Damien Eastman scoring on Connor Lehman's walk, making it 4-3. The biggest hit of the game came next: Kenneth Craig blasted a fly ball double to center field, clearing the bases by scoring Connor Lehman, Max Mylet, and Tanner Ragukas. This monumental hit propelled Wyoming Valley West into a commanding 6-4 lead.
Wyoming Valley West wasn't done yet, adding two more runs in the sixth inning. Noah Fetko led off with a walk and advanced to third. Max Mylet then grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Noah Fetko. D'Vonte Rivers, who had doubled earlier in the inning, tagged up and scored on Evan Harchar's fly out to left field, bringing the score to its final standing of 8-4.
Pitching proved to be a factor, with Wyoming Valley West's Damien Eastman stepping up in a big way in relief. After Noah Fetko started for Wyoming Valley West, Damien Eastman entered in the fifth and shut down the Pittston Area offense, allowing only one hit and no runs over three innings, striking out four and issuing three walks. For Pittston Area, Ashton Lepore and Brady Baldrica kept the game close, Dom Cocco provided a clean inning of relief in the sixth.
Pittston Area Top Performers:
Nick Innamoratti: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 SO
Jacoby Harnen: 4 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO
Beau Widdick: 5 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 3 SO
Elijah Barr: 0 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 0 SO
Joe Bradley: 3 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 SO
Kellen Kroski: 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 2 SO
Dom Salvo: 3 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 0 SO
Ryan Noone: 3 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO
Zach Budzak: 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 SO
Wyoming Valley West Top Performers:
Noah Fetko: 2 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 0 SO
D'Vonte Rivers: 2 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 0 SO
Damien Eastman: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 SO
Max Mylet: 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO
Evan Harchar: 4 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 1 SO
Tanner Ragukas: 2 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SO
Kenneth Craig: 1 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 0 SO
Player of the Game
Wyoming Valley West's Kenneth Craig has Player of the Game honors for their critical performances. Kenneth Craig's bases-clearing double in the fifth inning was the turning point, transforming a 4-3 deficit into a 6-4 lead.
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