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HUGHESTOWN — Choosing a game MVP can be a difficult task. Not so Tuesday because Alexa McHugh left no doubt who was the best player on the softball field.

The Pittston Area senior pitched a complete game with 11 strikeouts and finished a single shy of hitting for the cycle as the Patriots defeated cross-river rival Wyoming Area 10-3 in a Wyoming Valley Conference interdivisional game.

McHugh capped her game at the plate with a two-run homer in the sixth to finish with three RBI. She then finished off the Warriors by striking out the final three batters she faced.

Lexi Felinski was 2-for-3 with two RBI, including a run-scoring single in the third, where Pittston Area took advantage of three Wyoming Area errors during a heavy rain to take a 5-2 lead. Morgan Mesaris added a two-run double in the fifth as the Patriots improved to 6-1 in Division 1 and 11-1 overall.

“We did everything we were supposed to and the outcome showed that,” said McHugh, who was also the game’s MVP as a sophomore. “And it was nice to get a win my senior year.”

Wyoming Area (2-5 Div. 2, 4-7) needed the victory more but instead suffered its sixth loss in its last seven games. While Pittston Area already secured a spot in the District 2/4 Class 5A playoffs, the Warriors entered the game clinging to the eighth and final guaranteed berth in the D2-4A playoffs.

Wyoming Area started well with two runs in the first inning — one on an RBI single by Nicole Silinskie — but managed just three hits over the final six innings. Silinskie finished 2-for-3 as was named her team’s MVP. The awards were sponsored by Sabatini’s Pizza in Exeter.

After tying the score 2-2 in the bottom of the first, McHugh retired nine of 10 Warriors from the second through fourth innings. She received an excellent defensive play to end the fourth on a sliding catch in foul territory by right fielder Kaehler Kivler. The only runner to reach came via a fielding error.

“You just look at our seniors and juniors right now,” said Pittston Area coach Vito Quaglia, who is an elementary school principal at Wyoming Area. “Seven out of the nine in our lineup hit home runs. We have a very potent offense and I say if not the best pitcher in the league then definitely one of the best pitchers in the league in Alexa.

“If you look at our lineup, we can hit you with speed or we can hit you with doubles and home runs.”

Tinsley Sarnak knocked in Wyoming Area’s final run with a single in the fifth.

Hanover Area 15, MMI Prep 0 (3 inn.)

The Hawks cruised past MMI Prep in a game ended by the 15-run run.

Sarah Tuzinski, Emilee Bobos, Kasidy Slusser and Riley Corbett recorded extra base hits and all except the latter recorded two hits. Slusser slugged a home run while Tuzinski and Bobos each legged out a triple.

Slusser also shined in the circle, allowing one base runner.

Tunkhannock 10, Wyoming Valley West 0 (5 inn.)

The Tigers defeated Wyoming Valley West thanks to five shutout innings from Hope Jones and and Kendra Schultz. Jones earned the win after pitching four innings and striking out seven.

Mackayla Quick drove in two runs on two hits for Tunkhannock.

Sara Hoskins and Julia Franks both went 1-for-2 with a double for the Spartans.

Hazleton Area 11, Dallas 3

Hazleton Area defeated the Mountaineers thanks to a big game from Aleah Kost. She went the final 2.1 innings in the circle and went 5-for-5 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored.

Christina Schappert had a huge game for Dallas, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and two runs scored.

Nanticoke Area 10, Coughlin 0 (5 inn.)

Gabby Rakowski had three hits and two RBI to lead Nanticoke Area past Coughlin.

Jen Kurkowski added two hits and two RBI. Katie King had two hits. Winning pitcher Brinley Sobeck struck out seven.

Berwick 5, Crestwood 3

Katie Starr homered and pitcher Emily Novicki shut down Crestwood over the final five innings as Berwick prevailed.

Haley Naperkowski knocked in two runs during Crestwood’s three-run second inning. Hannah Sobolewski was 3-for-3.

Wyoming Seminary 14, Meyers 2 (6 inn.)

Winning pitcher Delaney Romanchick als0 paced the Seminary offense with three hits and three RBI.

Akira Kopec and Alexus Dunn each had two RBI. Halle Kehl added three hits.

Pittston Area 10, Wyoming Area 3

Wyoming Area`AB`R`H`BI

Skladzien cf`2`2`1`0

Crane ph`1`0`0`0

Pizzano ss`3`0`1`0

Schultz ph`1`0`0`0

Sarnak 1b`3`0`1`1

Donati ph`1`0`0`0

Melberger 3b`3`1`0`0

Silinskie cf`3`0`2`1

Freeman 2b`3`0`0`0

Kranson lf`3`0`0`0

Slusser rf`3`0`1`0

Nowak p`2`0`0`0

Taddei ph`1`0`0`0

Meade c`0`0`0`0

Totals`29`3`6`2

Pittston Area`AB`R`H`BI

G.Para cf`4`1`0`0

Felinski 2b`3`2`2`2

McHugh p`4`3`3`3

Antal 3b`3`1`0`1

T.Para 1b`2`0`0`0

Mesaris dp`3`0`2`2

Lieback pr`0`0`0`0

Williams lf`3`0`0`0

Kivler rf`3`1`2`0

Loyack c`3`2`1`0

George ss`0`0`0`0

Totals`28`10`10`8

Wyoming Area`200`010`0 — 3

Pittston Area`203`023`x — 10

2B: McHugh, Mesaris. 3B: McHugh. HR: McHugh.

Wyoming Area`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

Nowak (L)`4.0`5`5`2`1`0

Sarnak`2.0`5`5`5`1`1

Pittston Area`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

McHugh (W)`7.0`6`3`3`1`11

Hanover Area 15, MMI Prep 0 (3 inn.)

MMI Prep`000 — 0

Hanover Area`69 — 15

Hitting — MMI, Galada 1-1. HA, Riley Corbett 1-2, 2B, RBI; Sarah Tuzinski 2-3, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 runs; Emilee Bobos 2-3, 3B, RBI, 2 runs; Kasidy Slusser 2-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs.

Pitching — MMI, Kaylee Witner (L) 2 IP, 12 H, 15 R, 11 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO. HA, Kasidy Slusser (W) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO.

Tunkhannock 10, Wyoming Valley West 0

Wyoming Valley West`000`00 — 0

Tunkhannock`142`12 — 10

Hitting — WVW, Sara Hoskins 1-2, 2B; Julia Franks 1-2, 2B. TUNK, Mackayla Quick 2-4, 2 RBI; Erin Dunn 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 runs.

Pitching — WVW, Sara Hoskins (L) 4.1 IP, 8 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 9 BB, 2 SO. TUNK, Hope Jones (W) 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO; Kendra Schultz 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.

Hazleton Area 11, Dallas 3

Hazleton Area`071`100`2 — 11

Dallas`001`020`0 — 3

Hitting — HAZ, Aleah Kost 5-5, 3 RBI, 2 runs; Olivia Wolk 3-4, RBI, 2 runs; Marissa Trivelpiece 2-5, 3 RBI, run; Julia Mrochko 2-5, run. DAL, Christina Schappert 3-4, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 runs; Samantha Kern 2-4, RBI, run.

Pitching — HAZ, Gabriela Terraccino 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO; Aleah Kost 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO. DAL, Sydney Hornlein 7 IP, 17 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.

Bewick 5, Crestwood 3

Crestwood`030`000`0 — 3

Berwick`400`010`x — 5

Hitting — BER, Peyton Lipsey 1-3, run; Katie Starr 3-3, HR, RBI; Emily Novicki 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Hannah Hess 1-3; Cari Chacis 1-3, RBI. CRE, Haley Naperkowski 1-2, 2 RBI; Cameron O’Neill 1-3, 2B; Hannah Sobolewski 3-3, run.

Pitching — WP, Novicki. LP — Jalyn Cook.

Pittston Area shortstop Tiara George gets under a pop fly hit by Wyoming Area’s Tinsley Sarnak in the first inning Tuesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_pit_wa4_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area shortstop Tiara George gets under a pop fly hit by Wyoming Area’s Tinsley Sarnak in the first inning Tuesday. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Pittston Area’s Lexi Felinski rounds third on her way home after Alexa McHugh hit a triple in the first inning Tuesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_pit_wa2_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Lexi Felinski rounds third on her way home after Alexa McHugh hit a triple in the first inning Tuesday. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Pittston Area’s Bailey Loyack races to third base against Wyoming Area in the third inning Tuesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_pit_wa3_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Bailey Loyack races to third base against Wyoming Area in the third inning Tuesday. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Pittston Area shortstop Tiara George makes a throw to first base in the sixth inning Tuesday. Wyoming Area’s Nicole Silinskie beat the throw for an infield single.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_pit_wa5_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area shortstop Tiara George makes a throw to first base in the sixth inning Tuesday. Wyoming Area’s Nicole Silinskie beat the throw for an infield single. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Pittston Area’s Alexa McHugh makes her way to the dugout after hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning against Wyoming Area on Tuesday. She was named the MVP of the game between the cross-river rivals.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_pit_wa1_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Alexa McHugh makes her way to the dugout after hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning against Wyoming Area on Tuesday. She was named the MVP of the game between the cross-river rivals. Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Senior strikes out 11, just misses the cycle

By John Erzar

[email protected]

Reach John Erzar at 570-991-6394 or on Twitter @TLJohnErzar