The Greater Pittston Prep American Legion baseball team scored 28 runs while winning both its game this week to move above .500 to 3-2 in the Wyoming Valley League.
Greater Pittston had started 0-2 before beating Swoyersville, 4-3. This week’s victories came 13-0 over Mountain Post and 15-13 over Back Mountain, which leads the four-team league.
“The first two games of our season were challenging and it was kind of a feeling-out process,” manager P.J. Pisano said. “It’s been evident we’re a different team just based off the way the players are executing in the field and their approaches at the plate.
“I give 110 percent of the credit to the players because they’re the ones putting in the effort and showing the willingness to learn and grow as a team.”
Dom Marranca, who also plays shortstop, has been one of the team’s offensive leaders along with handling a key pitching role.
Catcher Ryan Noone and first baseman/right fielder Max Mihalka have been the other top hitters while Alex Rosencrance, Ryan Tonte and Dominick Cocco have also joined Marranca in taking care of most of the pitching. Rosencrance also plays third base and Tonte also plays center fielder.
The rest of the roster is catcher Elijah Agosto, outfielder Massiah Agosto, first baseman Gavin Gisolfi, catcher Avery Timms, right fielder Al Shardien, outfielder Cody Jackson, second baseman/pitcher Gianni Bartarillo, infielder Ethan Swan, left fielder/pitcher Josh Chaump, first baseman Josh Barr, first baseman/pitcher Marco Altavilla and outfielder Cody Jackson.
“If we’re going to be successful in the postseason, it’s important that we continue to learn as we go and develop a good team chemistry for the remainder of the regular season, regardless of the outcome of the games,” P.J. Pisano said.
Pisano is in his first year as manager and credits Pittston Area head coach Paul Zaffuto with helping him understand the role.
“Getting the opportunity to coach in Legion baseball, especially as a first-time head coach, it’s been a great experience taking what I’ve learned from the best mentor I could ask for, in coach Zaff at Pittston Area for the past two seasons as an assistant, and applying it in a major way,” Pisano said.
Greater Pittston’s next game is Monday at 5:45 p.m. at Mountain Post.
“Being such a young group all around, from the players to myself to the assistant coaches, we’re always having fun,” Pisano said. “I’m excited to watch the personal growth of each of the players and the team as a unit.
“As long as we continue to grow and reach our peak when we get to the postseason, we’ll be in good shape to make a run.”
