NEPA Sports Nation

ROUNDUP: Pitchers rule 5A subregional quarterfinals

Pitching and defense dominated the District 2-4 Class 5A Subregional baseball quarterfinals Monday.

Three teams won by shutout and the other winner allowed just one run.

Even the losing teams were tough to score on as the 8 quarterfinalists combined to score just 11 runs.

Scott Gilbert led the way, throwing a two-hit shutout when Abington Heights traveled into District 4 territory and came away with a 1-0 victory over Shikellamy.

Gilbert struck out 13 and walked just 2 while throwing 63 of 97 pitches for strikes.

The Lackawanna League Division 1 champion Comets scored the game’s only run in the top of the sixth.

Gavin LaCoe doubled to right with one out. Gabe Pietryka pinch ran and moved to third on a groundout.

Matt Show, the only player in the game with two hits, singled to right field to drive in Pietryka.

Wyoming Valley West also knocked out the other District 4 entry, 1-0.

The Spartans won at home over Selinsgrove, the 2019 Class 4A state champion.

Mason Sgarlat threw the shutout and Anthony Severns won it with a single in the bottom of the seventh.

Sgarlat carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with a one-hitter, walking four and striking out seven.

Garrett Vought walked, took second on a bunt and third on a groundout, then scored on the two-out hit by Severns.

The game-winner by Severns was just the third hit off Ryan Reich, who struck out 11 and walked 1.

Wyoming Valley West advances to face top-seeded North Pocono, the Lackawanna League Division 2 champion.

The Trojans had a tough time with another Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 team, shutting out Pittston Area, 3-0.

Jake Millan did not walk a batter while striking out 12 in his four-hit shutout.

Zach Walsh homered, singled and scored twice.

Chris Walsh also had two hits for the Trojans.

Abington Heights will play Wednesday at second-seeded Wallenpaupack, a 5-1 winner over West Scranton.

The Buckhorns jumped on the Invaders for four runs in the first inning.

Mabret Levant and Eli Peifer, who got the last two outs, combined on a three-hitter. Levant struck out eight, walked two and did not allow an earned run.

Wyatt Peifer homered and drove in two runs for Wallenpaupack.

Justin Stella and Jack Smith also had two hits.

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