DUNMORE — A seven-run sixth inning helped Abington defeat Christy Mathewson, 13-5, in a District 17 Senior League All-Star baseball game on Saturday, June 25 at Dunmore High School.
Abington took an early lead when shortstop James Myers drove in a run and pitcher Haqique Mirza crossed home plate when right fielder Vinny Crandle stole second base in the bottom of the first inning.
Christy Mathewson answered with two runs of its own in the top of the second. Right fielder Shawn Jones, who had two hits, led off the inning with a single, stole second base and scored on a single from second baseman Jeremy Sposto. Third baseman Zachary Cost also singled and scored on a stolen base from Sposto.
Abington regained the lead with a run in the bottom of the second. Mirza led off the inning with a walk and scored when Crandle stole a base.
Abington added two more runs in the bottom of the third on RBI singles from Mirza and Crandle and one run in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single from center fielder Nicholas Termini.
“I’ve been coaching these kids for about eight years and they all hit,” Abington head coach Dewey Petty said. “We had good at-bats and put the ball in play.”
Christy Mathewson scored three runs in the top of the fifth to cut its deficit to one run. Cost started the rally with a two-out, two-RBI single and center fielder Griffin Holmes followed with an RBI single.
Abington broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth. First baseman Graham Gilmore, left fielder Luke Brauer, Mirza, Termini and third baseman Vincent Vaccaro each drove in a run and Mirza scored on a wild pitch.
Mirza allowed eight hits over five innings while striking out five batters to earn the win on the mound for Abington.
“He threw a lot of strikes,”Petty said. “He gave us five strong innings, it worked out well.”
Christy Mathewson starting pitcher D.J. Klinges allowed five hits over five innings and contributed a single at the plate.
In other District 17 tournament action, Abington fell to West Scranton, 6-4, on Sunday, June 26. Joey Barcia and James Myers each had two hits for Abington. South Scranton defeated Christy Mathewson, 11-1, on Monday, June 27. D.J. Klinges, Zachary Cost and Shawn Jones each had a hit for Christy.
