By Nate Johns, NEPA Sports Nation Student Journalist
DALLAS TWP. – J.J. Rischawy made big plays with the bases loaded in the last two innings Friday, allowing Dallas to squeak out a 3-2 victory over visiting Scranton Prep in a District 2 Class 4A baseball final.
Rischawy’s walk-off single to right field in the bottom of the seventh broke a 2-2 tie. His catch in left field in the top of the sixth inning stranded the bases loaded for the Cavaliers.
“I thought it was a line drive right at me,” Rischawy said. “It started carrying. I just went back and got it.”
Dusty Shaver got the pitching win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Gary Weaver had limited Scranton Prep to one earned run in 5 2/3 innings.
Scranton Prep starter John Petrosky worked five-plus innings, allowing just two runs.
After a quick first inning from both sides, the Dallas offense picked up right where it left off against Tunkhannock in the quarterfinals with a three-hit inning. Jude Nocito scored the game’s first run courtesy of Dominic Zangardi’s single to right field.
After a scoreless third inning, the Cavaliers offense gained momentum and tied the game. With runners on first and second with two out, Matt Kalinowski tied the game at one on a line drive to right.
Scranton Prep took the lead in the fifth inning. After a throwing error allowed Kyle Skutack to move into scoring position, Brian Walsh ripped a double to right center field. Petrosky worked around two singles in the bottom half of the inning to keep the lead.
The sixth inning was the turning point of the game.
Rischawy’s catch got Dallas out of trouble, then Dallas loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning. Zangardi was hit by a pitch to tie the game.
Luke Pica came on in relief and got a double play when a base runner was ruled to have left the base path.
Dallas caught a break in the seventh inning. With a runner on first and two outs, Pica crushed a line drive down the left-field line. It appeared that Roman Valvano was going to score the go-ahead run, but the ball went out of play for a ground-rule double.
Zach Paczewski smoked a triple to right field to start the bottom of the seventh. After two intentional walks and a popout, Rischawy sent Dallas back to the district final.
Dallas will play Honesdale on Tuesday at PNC Field in search of its first District 2 baseball title since 2019.
