Upon Further Review: West Pittston ended 45-year drought with 1996 District 16 championship

July 2006

Wyoming/West Wyoming picked up a 9-8 win over Duryea in the District 16/31 9-10 baseball tournament.

Brian Berti and Nick Yurek had three hits each and Rocky Rutkoski had two hits, including a home run to pace Wyoming/West Wyoming. Marty Michaels picked up the win.

For Duryea, Josh Kramer and Tyler Lutecki each had two hits.

July 1996

Brian Coleman hit the game-winning home run as West Pittston won its first District 16 Major Baseball Little League championship with an 8-7 win over Pittston Township. The win marked West Pittston’s first district Little League championship in the league’s 45-year existence.

West Pittston trailed 6-4 as it came up for its last at-bats. The team scored four runs, including Coleman’s two-run blast to take the lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Pittston Township’s Pat Cawley led off with a home run to make it 8-7. Coleman then came in to pitch and got the next three batters on strike outs.

West Pittston won the title after losing its first game in the 33-team tournament.

July 1986

Coming back from a 4-0 deficit, Jenkins Township Little League won its first District 16 Major Baseball championship with a 6-4 win over Mountain Top.

Mountain Top opened the scoring in the first, and added three more runs in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Jenkins went out and scored five, fourth-inning runs. Mike Sebia drew a walk for the first run, followed by Steve Barnic’s two-run single. Steve Kivak then hit a two-run double for the 5-4 lead. Barnic would plate the final Jenkins run.

July 1976

The Jenkins Township Little League all-stars picked up a 4-3 win over Wyoming/West Wyoming in the opener of District 16 action.

Winning pitcher Sandy Lafoca held Wyoming/West Wyoming scoreless through five innings, and struck out five. Al Michalec had two hits in the win. Joe Amato had a single and a home run for Wyoming/West Wyoming.

Wyoming/West Wyoming’s Rocky Rutkoski fires to first during a District 16/31 9-10 baseball game in July of 2006.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Rutkoski06.jpgWyoming/West Wyoming’s Rocky Rutkoski fires to first during a District 16/31 9-10 baseball game in July of 2006. Sunday Dispatch File Photo

Members of the 1986 Jenkins Township Little League team that won the District 16 championship are, from left, first row, Bill Mudlock Jr., John Drouse, Mike Sebia, Steve Kivak, Ron Walsh Jr. and Karman McDonald. Second row, Vince Rovinski, Lou Lussi, Ken Pryor, Ian Jamieson, Steve Barnic, Dave Ruskey and Kelly Rowan. Back row, coach Ron Walsh, Ken Stanislow, and manager Bill Mudlock Sr.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Jenkins86.jpgMembers of the 1986 Jenkins Township Little League team that won the District 16 championship are, from left, first row, Bill Mudlock Jr., John Drouse, Mike Sebia, Steve Kivak, Ron Walsh Jr. and Karman McDonald. Second row, Vince Rovinski, Lou Lussi, Ken Pryor, Ian Jamieson, Steve Barnic, Dave Ruskey and Kelly Rowan. Back row, coach Ron Walsh, Ken Stanislow, and manager Bill Mudlock Sr. Sunday Dispatch File Photo

In July of 1996, West Pittston’s Brian Coleman hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth to give his team its first District 16 championship in the league’s 45-year existence.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Coleman.jpgIn July of 1996, West Pittston’s Brian Coleman hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth to give his team its first District 16 championship in the league’s 45-year existence. Sunday Dispatch File Photo