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Abington Heights shortstop Jimmy Fayocavitz drove in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Comets a 4-3 win over Valley View in the District 2 Class 3A title game May 25 at PNC Field in Moosic.

Abington Heights starting pitcher Zach Manasek allowed two runs in five inning and struck out four batters during the Comets, 4-3, win over Valley View in the District 2 Class 3A baseball championship game on Monday, May 25 at PNC Field in Moosic.

Abington Heights first baseman Matt McDonald drove in two runs with a double during the second inning of the District 2 Class 3A baseball championship game May 25.

Abington Heights pinch runner Tom Rothenberger scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning of the District 2 Class 3A baseball title game May 25.

MOOSIC — Shortstop Jimmy Fayocavitz delivered a walk-off single to give Abington Heights a 4-3 win over Valley View in the District 2 Class 3A baseball title game on Monday, May 25 at PNC Field.

“I knew I could do it and that I just had to put the ball in play,” Fayocavitz said.

Abington Heights struck first in the bottom of the second inning when first baseman Matt McDonald drove in two runs with a double. Designated hitter Tyler Ksiazek reached on an error, left fielder Eric Salerno singled, and center fielder Colin McCreary executed a sacrifice bunt previously in the inning.

“Everyone knows (Valley View pitcher) Max Kranick throws the ball hard,” McDonald said. “I knew that I had to get my swing started a little bit earlier. He left the first pitch up a little bit and I just took a hack at it. I knew he probably wasn’t going to make that mistake again so I tried to take the opportunity.

“It’s awesome,” McDonald added. “We work hard every single day in practice and everyone knew going into the season that this was our goal.”

Valley View (13-5) answered with two runs of its own in the top of the third inning off Comets pitcher Zach Manasek. First baseman Kyle Kelly was hit by a pitch, center fielder Kyle Barrett walked, and Kranick hit into a fielder’s choice before shortstop Brandon Peters drove in two runs with a double.

Abington Heights (15-3) regained the lead in the bottom of the third inning when catcher Zach Campbell singled to score Fayocavitz.

“We put the bat on the ball and we battled,” Abington Heights head coach Bill Zalewski said. “(Kranick) is such a great pitcher. Anytime you get an opportunity to get a run in from him, you really have to capitalize because he just bears down when guys get into scoring position.”

Manasek retired eight of the next nine batters, including four on strikeouts, after giving up the double to Peters.

“Manasek gave us an unbelievable five innings, and that was kind of our game plan to get there with the lead,” Zalewski said. “We gave it up, but the boys just kept battling.”

Valley View tied the game, 3-3, in the top of the sixth inning when pinch hitter Rocco DePietro drew a bases loaded walk off Ksiazek, who replaced Manasek on the mound to start the inning. The senior regrouped by getting the next five outs, including two strikeouts, to secure the win and give Abington Heights its third consecutive District 2 Class 3A baseball title.

“The boys play for each other and feed off each other,” Zalewski said. “It’s really come together over the second part of the year. They’re just having a lot of fun playing baseball, it’s exciting to watch.”

With the win, the Comets advance to the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) Class 3A baseball tournament on Monday, June 1.