Weather Wars

Rain, cold, baseball, and snow. This is how the first week of April was for Northeastern Pennsylvania. Some teams didn't even get a game in this week, though Lackawanna League teams in Division 1 and 2 in baseball and softball don't start their league play til Monday. Even when the games were played, the teams had to deal with chilly conditions. Some teams were lucky to get 2 games in this week especially in the Wyoming Valley Conference. There are times I see stuff like "We're not going to get to play the District Finals til late June." This is something I have learned though my 13 seasons of being in High School baseball and softball is this: There is usually a good span of bad weather and then you get a great span of dry and very nice weather, it is just a matter of getting there. Now let's look at the week that was in District 2


NOWAK THROWS COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT
Chase Nowak made his first start a memorable one, striking out 7 and getting out of several jams in a 1-0 victory at Crestwood. His counterpart Matt Mickowski of Crestwood, also pitched a great game, only giving up a run in 5 innings of work. Coughlin's Steve Dressler drove in TJ Wozniak for the game's only run.


VALLEY WEST AND HANOVER AREA BASEBALL TAKE TWO GAMES THIS WEEK
The No 1 team on the NEPA SportsPage Top 25 Baseball countdown, played two games and took both games, beating Hazleton Area 10-3 and knocking off Coughlin 10-6. Tyler Yankosky went 5 innings and struck out 6 and didn't walk a batter against Hazleton Area. Also going 2 for 2 at the plate with a run scored. Ryan Hogan drove in 2 and Grant Powell got the win on the mound in their victory against Coughlin.
The No 2 team in the baseball countdown Hanover Area took two games this week. They beat MMI on Tuesday. Kevin Rimmer threw a complete-game 4 hitter, striking out 11. John Morgan drove in 2 runs. They would also beat their rival Nanticoke 7-1 on Wednesday. Kyle Kowalski got the win on the mound and would drive in 2 at the plate. Kevin Rimmer hit 2 HRs and drive in 4.


PITTSTON AREA SOFTBALL TAKES TWO
Pittston Area knocked off Berwick 9-3. Taylor Baloga struck out 8. Pittston Area also knocked off Coughlin 21-5. Nina Cencetti struck out 8 without walking a batter. Mindina Lieback had 4 RBIs for PA.


LEE ECKERT THROWS A NO-HITTER FOR DALLAS
Lee Eckert threw a no-hitter in a 7-0 victory over Berwick. Shoutout for the defense around him, recording 19 outs of his 21 outs.


WYOMING AREA SOFTBALL TAKES 2 OUT OF 3 THIS WEEK
Wyoming Area started off the week by losing to Tunkhannock 2-0 but would end up winning their next 2 by knocking off Lake-Lehman 13-2 and Dallas 5-4


LAKELAND BASEBALL WINS OPENER
Brad Richards went 6 innings, striking out 8 and Matt Hayes went 2 for 2 with a HR and 4 RBIs as Lakeland beat Dunmore 9-1.


HOLY REDEEMER SOFTBALL STARTS OFF SEASON WITH A VICTORY
The Defending 2A State Softball Champion Holy Redeemer knocked off Meyers 15-0. Kayla Coffay struck out 8 in 5 innings.