DALLAS TWP. — Taylor Baloga launched her second long flyball and the top of the first inning wasn’t even over yet.
The only thing that prevented Pittston Area’s Baloga from driving in seven runs in that first inning was when Wyoming Area center fielder Bree Bednarski reached over the fence to steal away a potential homer Sunday night.
Baloga, who already had a grand slam at that point to open the scoring, did not get her seven RBI in the first inning. She did, however, get eight for the game, along with throwing three scoreless innings while helping the East to a 15-2 rout of the West in the 37th annual Robert Dolbear Senior All-Star game.
“I thought it was close,” said Baloga, who earned her team’s Most Valuable Player honors by going 3 for 5 with two homers and three runs scored. “I knew I got under it a little bit.
“I knew Bree was a good athlete and is quick out there. I had a feeling she was going to catch it.”
Baloga’s fast start made sure the game was not close. Her grand slam made it 4-0 before an out was recorded and was part of an eight-run first inning.
After holding the West offense hitless for the first two innings, Baloga added to the lead with an RBI single in the third and a three-run homer in the fourth.
Days in advance of the game, cancellations from players with other commitments reduced the contest for top seniors from Wyoming Valley Conference schools to 21 expected players. On game night, 17 showed up and one was injured and unable to play.
The West started the game with just eight players and ended it with six. East players rotated in to vacant spots on the West defense when they were waiting their turn to bat.
“Everybody’s ultimate goal out there was to get out and play in our high school uniforms one last time,” said Baloga, who was among the many players who were undeterred by the small turnout. “We all graduated a few weeks ago.
“It was nice to get out there and get back in our uniforms one more time to represent our schools.”
Nanticoke center fielder Rachel Roccograndi led off for the East and went 4 for 5 with four runs. Hazleton Area’s Mackenzie Yori followed her and added three runs and two hits.
Hanover Area’s Mary Kate Penczkowski was the winning pitcher and had two hits while teammate Haylee Bobos drove in a pair of runs.
The West was left without anybody who pitched this season. Vicki Remley handled that role and was selected as her team’s MVP.
Remley’s Wyoming Area teammates provided much of the offense.
Bednarski had three hits while Grace Gober drove in two runs.
East 15, West 2
East`AB`R`H`BI
Roccograndi cf`5`4`4`0
Yori ss-3b`3`3`2`0
Bobos c`4`1`1`3
Baloga p-1b`5`3`3`8
Janowski 2b`5`0`0`0
Silinskie rf`4`1`2`0
Bradigan 3b-ss`4`1`0`0
Penczkowski 1b-p`4`0`2`0
Macko lf`4`2`2`1
Totals`38`15`16`12
West`AB`R`H`BI
Bednarski cf`4`1`3`0
Remley p`5`0`0`0
Gober lf-p`4`0`1`2
Briggs c`0`0`0`0
Nemetko 1b`5`0`1`0
Gurzynski 3b`2`0`0`0
Hodle ss`3`1`2`0
Ambrose rf`5`0`1`0
Totals`28`2`8`2
East`803`400`0`—`15
West`000`200`0`—`2
2B — Roccograndi; HR — Baloga 2.
Visitor`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO
Baloga`3.0`2`0`0`5`5
Penczkowski, W`4.0`6`2`2`2`2
Home`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO
Remley, L`7.0`16`15`9`2`1
