Hazleton Area’s baseball team finally broke a two‑week winless streak, routing Wyoming Valley West 8‑0 in the District 2‑4 Class 6A playoffs and securing a spot in the subregional final against Wilkes‑Barre Area.
A dominant performance
Right‑hander Freddy Corrado delivered five‑plus innings, striking out nine while walking four, before handing the ball to Jack Esposito, who closed out the game without allowing a run.
The Cougars’ defense was flawless, turning every batted ball into an out and preserving the shutout.
Offensively, Hazleton struck early and late, with Nick Cunniffe delivering three hits that included two doubles, while Jeudi Hidalgo added an RBI single and a home run, and Logan Hearity contributed a run and an RBI.
Coach Russ Canzler praised Corrado’s experience and composure, noting that the veteran pitcher kept the team steady under pressure.
Wyoming Valley West coach Mike Petroski lauded Corrado’s performance and expressed pride in his squad’s progress, even as the seven‑game winning streak came to an end.
The victory also marked a six‑game improvement for Wyoming Valley West this season, a milestone that Petroski said reflects the team’s growth.