WEST PITTSTON — According to the Baseball Almanac, it has only happened 75 times in Major League Baseball since the 19th century. West Pittston’s JJ Hood did it on Wednesday night in Little League action.
Hood struck out four batters — yes, four — in the second inning against the Jenkins Township/Duryea Pirates in a 6-1 West Pittston win Wednesday night in West Pittston.
Hood finished with 12 strikeouts in his 5.2 innings of work, walking just one and scattered six hits.
“JJ brings a lot of power and a lot of accuracy,” West Pittston coach Jim Manganello said. “He’s an 11-year-old, seasoned player. He knows what he’s doing and he’s almost unstoppable when he keeps his head in it.”
As for the Pirates, starting pitcher Jeremy Cawley was just as impressive. Cawley was facing one of Greater Pittston’s best offenses. The Moose have been using the 10-run rule more often than not this season.
After giving up the two-run home run to West Pittston’s Jeremy Lavalle in the first, Cawley struck out the side in the second and faced just four batters in the third. Cawley also finished with three hits for the Pirates.
“He pitched extremely well,” Pirates coach Kevin Macaluso said. “He’s well-rounded and he was very focused tonight. He can do it on both offense and defense.”
Eventually, Manganello said, the West Pittston hitters were able to stay patient and get in good swings on Cawley.
“We started leaning and not waiting,” Manganello said. “We wanted them to take their time. Jeremy is a good pitcher and he was throwing a good game.”
Lavalle carried the offense from the start by ripping a two-out, two-run home run in the first inning. He walked in his other two at-bats, scoring both times. Ethan Kozden drove in two runs with a single in the fourth. Caden Bonita roped a two-run double in the fifth inning to end the West Pittston scoring.
The Pirates scored their only run in the first inning. Cawley ripped a single to lead off the game. With one out, Matt Macaluso drove Cawley in with a double.
In the top of the fifth, the Pirates had a chance to cut the Moose lead to one run.
Macaluso stepped to the plate with runners on second and third with one out. He sent a shot to second. West Pittston’s Bonita, playing second base, made a great snag to preserve the lead.
“The kids all stepped up today,” Kevin Macaluso said. “Everyone was able to hit against one of the fastest pitchers in the league.”
JTD Phillies 11, Avoca/Dupont Legion 1
Jacob Black pitched four innings, striking out seven, to help the Jenkins Township/Duryea Phillies to an 11-1 win. The game was shortened to four innings due to the 10-run rule.
Black also provided three hits to help his cause. Luke Gallie and Ryan Zapko contributed key hits for the Phillies. Chris Urbanski and George Aldrich had hits for Avoca.
WP Moose 10, PT Color World 8
West Pittston’s Zac Capitano had three hits, including a home run, in a 10-8 win over Pittston Township Color World.
Joe Gacek also hit a home run for the Moose. Caden Bonita, Jeremy Lavalle and Evan Melberger had two hits each. For Pittston Township, PJ Pisano had three hits, while Josh Baiera and Zach Elko each had two hits.
BOYS MINORS
Duryea 10, Exeter 5
Josh Smargiassi’s two-run triple in the third proved to be the game-winner as Duryea took down Exeter.
Smargiassi finished with three hits and three RBI. Marshal Gordon had two hits, scored two runs and added an RBI. Gage Leffler, Xsavior Morrison, Mark Korea and Alex Michaylo each had a hit and RBI. Luke Snyder tripled and scored a run. Nick Borgia had an RBI and scored twice.
