Wyoming Valley West hasn't had much luck against Pittston recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. The Spartans will challenge the Patriots at 4:15 p.m.
Wyoming Valley West is headed into Tuesday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their sixth straight game on Friday. They fell 3-0 to Wilkes-Barre.
Wyoming Valley West got a good showing from Derek Rukstalis, who pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits.
D'Vonte Rivers
| 03/16/25 vs Calvary Day School | 4 |
| 04/25/25 @ Wilkes-Barre | 2 |
| 03/18/25 vs Carbondale Area | 2 |
| 04/07/25 vs Greater Nanticoke Area | 1 |
| 04/03/25 vs Dallas | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
On the hitting side, Wyoming Valley West saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was D'Vonte Rivers, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases. Rivers is becoming a predictor of the Spartans' success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is 2-1 (and 4-8 when he doesn't).
Meanwhile, Pittston strolled into their game on Friday with a perfect record and they left with the same. They never let Greater Nanticoke Area get on the board and left with a 13-0 win. Considering the Patriots have won 11 games by more than six runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Ryan Noone looked comfortable as he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
At the plate, Pittston let Silvio Giardina and Richard Tonte run wild. Giardina went 2-for-3 with two triples, two runs, and one RBI, while Tonte went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. Those two triples gave Giardina a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Dom Innamorati, who went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double.
Pittston hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least five batters in seven consecutive contests.
Wyoming Valley West's loss dropped their record down to 6-9. As for Pittston, their victory was their 17th straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 14-0.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Tuesday as neither team is afraid to steal. Wyoming Valley West has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.1 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Pittston struggles in that department as they've been averaging 5.1 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Wyoming Valley West might still be hurting after the 20-0 defeat they got from Pittston in their previous meeting last Thursday. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
