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Kingston/Forty Fort junior softball is still rolling. And now the team is playing for a state championship.
A 3-2 win over Punxsutawney on Saturday improved Kingston/Forty Fort’s record to 3-0 in the state tournament, with the finals set for 3 p.m. Sunday in Berwick.
Jess Skladzien struck out six in the win, allowing just four hits and a walk. Allison Keener (3 for 3, RBI), Skladzien, Sara Hoskins (single RBI) and Morgan Shedletsky (sacrifice, RBI) led the offense in the victory.
SECTION 5
9-10 SOFTBALL
Back Mountain 5,
Old Forge 3
Nina Barrouk threw a two-hitter with 17 strikeouts to pilot Back Mountain’s 5-3 win in the Section 5 championship game on Saturday.
Barrouck, Kirsten Finarelli, Carolina Comitz all had hits for Back Mountain. Allison Vitanovec hit a key RBI in the second inning, while Ashley Hudak and Sophia Maier each scored a run in the same frame.
Back Mountain advances to the state tournament in Wellsboro July 18-24.
DISTRICT 16
JUNIOR BASEBALL
Hanover captures title
Nanticoke picked up a win to force a decisive game in the tournament, but it was Hanover prevailing to win the championship.
Hanover took the finale 5-3 thanks to the strong pitching of Todd Kolbicka, as well as the defense behind him. At the plate, Nathan Jaslar had two hits and an RBI while Aidan Geisinger had one hit and drove in a run.
Nanticoke’s Luke Meyers, Aidan Murphy (double, RBI) and Devin Sura all had two hits apiece in the title game.
Earlier in the day, Nanticoke beat Hanover 9-4 as Meyers picked up the win on the mound as he and Charlie Casey each finished with two hits, a double and two RBI at the plate. Murphy had another hit and another RBI. Jaslar had two hits and an RBI in the first game for Hanover.
Nanticoke advances to the Section 5 tournament on Wednesday, taking on the District 17 champion at Battaglia Field in Scranton.
DISTRICT 16
9-11 BASEBALL
Hanover 17,
Pittston Township 6
Jacob Vigorito finished 3 for 3 with two doubles and two RBI as Hanover earned a four-inning win in the semifinals. Colin Whitman (double), Tyler Garrison (two RBI) and Elijah Noe all had two hits apiece with Noe ending the game with a home run. Cole Whitman picked up the win on the mound.
Eddie Rosiak, Matt Mesaris and Alex Macaluso led the offense for Pittston Township.
Mountain Top 5, Plains 3
Colton Rinehimer picked up the win on the mound in the semifinals while Mason Czapla, Logan Rolles, Ben Keil, Brayden Wanchisen and James Barrett provided the offense.
Keenan Fernandez, Parker Mosley and Jack Hurst had hits for Plains.
Mountain Top will host the championship game against Hanover at 4:15 p.m. Sunday.
DISTRICT 31
9-11 BASEBALL
Kingston/Forty Fort 16,
Back Mtn. American 3
Aaron Klosko went 3 for 4 and drove in five runs to help Kingston/Forty Fort to a four-inning semifinal victory. Michael Vodzak had two hits and three RBI while Aiden Connell had a hit and drove in a pair of runs. Backed by solid defense behind him, Teddy Kraus earned the win, scattering five hits.
Mark Karcutskie doubled for American. Tucker Chesman, Jacob Soderman, Koehl Comiskey and Myles Tirpak all added hits.
Back Mtn. National 13,
Northwest 0
Four pitchers combined on a no-hitter for National in a four-inning win in the semifinals. Mike Cumbo led the offense, finishing with three extra-base hits — two doubles and a home run. Aiden Burkhardt and Lucas Tirpak added hits.
National advanced to take on Kingston/Forty Fort for the championship at 2 p.m. Sunday at Mountain Top.
SWOYERSVILLE
11-12 BASEBALL
Back Mtn. American 7,
Hanover 3
Justin Moss was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and a triple.
Liam Heit finished with a triple, one run scored and an RBI. Heit also picked up the win on the mound. Dusty Shaver and Alex Aiello each doubled in the win.
Hanover was led by Collin Klein’s two hits and doubles from Dyllon Cole and Aiden Frields.