Sports

h.s. baseball

By Derek Levarse dlevarse@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter
Derek Levarse on Facebook   |   TLdlevarse on Twitter

WEST PITTSTON — Sure, the numbers have been impressive. But it’s been more than just the statistics that have been encouraging for Wyoming Area.

click image to enlarge

Wyoming Area’s Andre Harris pitched a complete-game with nine strikeouts for his second win of the season on Thursday.

S.John Wilkin/The Times Leader

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo Store

From 2006 to 2009, the Warriors’ win total in league play went from four to three to two and then down to one last year.

Now, in coach Chick Andrewscavage’s second year in charge, not only are the victories coming, but so is the confidence.

The baseball program’s sudden turnaround took another important step on Thursday, knocking off Wyoming Valley West 4-3 at Atlas Field.

Wyoming Area had cruised in its first two games of the season, but when the Warriors hit adversity in game three, they were able to shake it off. Corey Furman and Randy McDermott (2-for-3, two RBI) hit back-to-back RBI singles in the bottom of the fifth to rally the team from a 3-2 deficit.

“They’re learning to play to win (instead of) not to lose, which is a key for us,” said Andrewscavage, who led the Seton Catholic program before the school closed as part of the Holy Redeemer merger. “We’re trying to turn it around, and I think the whole group is doing a good job. They’re all buying in.”

That much has been obvious to start the season. In 2009, Wyoming Area went 1-13 in league play, scoring just 32 runs. In 2010, Wyoming Area is 3-0 and has scored 33 runs.

The Warriors are now tied with Tunkhannock as the only unbeaten teams in Division I. Wyoming Area will host the Tigers on Monday with first place on the line.

A new attitude has been apparent to those outside of Atlas Field, as well. Before the season, Valley West coach John Milius named Wyoming Area as a team ready to break out.

“I saw it coming,” Milius said after the Spartans fell short on Thursday. “Last year I thought they were well-coached, they executed, they swung the bat – a big turnaround in attitude with this team.

“(It’s) the way they act out on the field. They’re backing each other up ... they’re encouraging them. That comes from maturity.”

Andrewscavage said it took the team some time to adjust a new style of play. But with more than a dozen players returning from last year’s team, things have been clicking early.

“They’re just starting to learn a different way of playing,” Andrewscavage said. “We try to be aggressive, and they’re starting to learn that aggressiveness and things like that. When I came in last year, it was a whole lot different for everybody here. Players were used to playing one type of baseball and we just changed it.”

That aggressiveness was on display in the first inning against the Spartans. After McDermott hit an RBI single, he found his way to third with another runner on first. The Warriors called for a double steal, and while the throw was headed to second, McDermott took off for home to make it 2-0.

Valley West countered in the third, stringing together four straight hits, including run-scoring shots from Joe Pechulis, Tim Kuscavage and Chris Clocker.

Wyoming Area starter Andre Harris, however, ended that frame with two strikeouts and went the distance for the win, picking up his ninth K of the game to close it out with a runner on second.

The Spartans fell to 0-3 after having lost just three league games total in the last three years.

Not that Valley West is about to throw in the towel.

“They beat a good team today,” Milius said. “We’re gonna wake up.”

2B – Kuscavage; 3B – Nowicki

Coughlin 8, Pittston Area 5

Ryan Sod went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI while Jordan Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI to lead Coughlin.

Mike Kearney struck out six and picked up the win for the Crusaders (3-1).

Josh Savokinas (3-for-4, triple, three RBI) topped Pittston Area (2-2).

2B – RSod, Musto; 3B – Ramirez, Savokinas

Berwick 5, Dallas 3

The bottom of the Berwick lineup came through in the third inning, getting an RBI apiece from hitters five through nine. A.J. Mihaly made it stand up on the mound for the win, while Tyler Soboleski came on for a strikeout and the save.

Brandon Michael went 2-for-2 for the Bulldogs (2-2).

Paul Narcum led Dallas (0-3) with a double and an RBI.

2B – Narcum

Crestwood 4, Hazleton Area 1

The Comets (2-2) got just three hits but took advantage of errors to score four runs for the road win.

Ian Richardson earned the win while Bobby Katulka pitched two strong innings in relief for the save.

Tom Mariano struck out seven for the Cougars (2-2). A.J. Petrone drove in his team’s lone run.