Hazleton Sweeps Scranton Behind Strong Pitching and Timely Hits

Game 1:

Despite recording just five hits, Hazleton's offense proved highly efficient, drawing 13 walks and capitalizing on multiple wild pitches and defensive miscues to build an early lead they never surrendered.

Hazleton struck first in the opening inning when Dylan Colantone drove in Cooper Ansbach on a fielder's choice. After Scranton answered with a sacrifice fly to tie the game, Hazleton took control in the second inning with a four-run outburst. Colantone delivered the biggest swing of the game with a two-run single, finishing with three RBIs, while Aiden Rodriguez and Maximus Cuevas each drove in runs to extend the lead to 5–1. The momentum continued in the third inning, where Hazleton added four more runs—despite not recording a hit in several key moments. Rodriguez and Cuevas each picked up RBIs, and aggressive baserunning combined with multiple wild pitches allowed Hazleton to stretch the lead to 9–1.

On the mound, Jordan Castrine provided a steady performance, tossing six innings while allowing just two runs on seven hits and striking out five. He effectively worked around contact and kept Scranton from mounting any sustained rallies. Jake Bobish closed out the game in the seventh.

In the end, Hazleton's discipline at the plate and ability to capitalize on mistakes proved decisive, turning a low-hit output into a convincing 10–3 victory. 

Game 2:

Hazleton got on the board in the first inning when Strohecker drove in Aiden Rodriguez with a sacrifice fly. The offense struck again in the third, as Strohecker delivered the biggest hit of the game, a two-run double to give Hazleton a 3–0 lead. Scranton responded in the bottom half of the third with its most productive inning of the day, to tie the game at 3–3.

From there, both teams settled into a pitching duel. Strohecker, who started on the mound for Hazleton, worked through six innings, allowing three runs while striking out four and navigating key situations to keep the game tied.

The deciding moment came in the seventh inning. Strohecker came through again, ripping his second RBI double of the game to score Rodriguez and give Hazleton a 4–3 lead.

Cooper Ansbach took over in the final inning and shut the door, earning the save and securing the win.