RECAP >> Emmaus coach Jeremy Haas is probably glad he doesn’t have to see Hazleton any more this season.
Same holds true for the rest of the Hornets baseball program — and its fans.
Facing the same Cougars team that handed them a 9-0 shutout back on April 24, the Hornets once again were dominated by the District 2 champs last night as they ended Emmaus’ season with yet another shutout win, this time a 12-0 defeat in the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals in five innings at Walter Stump Stadium in Pine Grove.
Hazleton, a team featuring a lineup of four Division 1 commits, jumped out to an early lead and were never challenged as they defeated the Hornets for the second time this season and for the third time in the last two years.
With the win, the Cougars (22-1) advance to the state semifinals on Monday to take on Liberty, the District 11 champ, who knocked off defending state champ LaSalle College High School 10-2.
Emmaus ends its season at 22-6 for the second consecutive year in the quarterfinal round.
Hazleton senior Nick Biasi, a Florida State commit, picked up his third career win over the Hornets. The hard-throwing southpaw pitched a one-hitter and struck out at least two batters in every inning finishing the night with 10 strikeouts.
Biasi also helped his own cause at the plate as he went 2-for-3 with three RBI for a Hazleton offense which banged out 14 hits off three Emmaus pitchers.
Second baseman Brett Antolick, a Texas A & M recruit, also had a pair of hits in the game and drove in three runs, including his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot to center in the fifth inning. Shortstop Bryce Molinaro, a St. John’s University commit, was 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in the first, his ninth of the season while centerfielder Luke Russo went 3-for-3 and brother Grant also had a pair of hits.
Emmaus’ lone hit of the game was a single in the second inning from sophomore Colin Wilson.
Senior Tyler LePage suffered the loss on the mound. LePage was touched up for six runs on six hits in just 1 1/3 innings of work.
Last night’s game marked the final one in the high school careers of Emmaus’ eight seniors – Tyler LePage, Dominick Chiego, Anthony Viola, Colin Foley, Luke Deschenes, Jaden Gallagher, Austin Schaffer and Alex Pion. The senior group won 44 games over the past two seasons. including winning two Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championships, one District XI title and two apperances in the PIAA State Tournament.
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Hazleton 12, Emmaus 0
Haz – 330 24 – 12-14-0
Em – 000 00 – 0-1-3
Nick Biasi and Grant Russo; Tyler LePage, Colin Foley (2), Ryan Latchford (4) and Dom Chiego. LP – LePage
2B – Luke Russo (Haz), Molinaro (Haz), Antolick (Haz). HR – Molinaro (1st, one on), Antolick (5th, solo)