RECAP >> Two unbeatens met on Wednesday afternoon at Church Lane Park and it was Hazleton remaining that way as they handed Emmaus its first loss of the season in a low-scoring 2-1 non-league game.
The Cougars, who entered play 6-0 on the season, managed just one hit in the game and scored all the runs they would need in the first inning as they plated two runs and then held on late as the Hornets (5-1) cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the sixth.
Hazleton starter Nick Biasi pitched six strong innings to earn the win. Biasi allowed just four hits while striking out 10 and walking none. Marcus LaBuda came on in the seventh to earn the save.
Junior Jaden Gallagher suffered the loss for Emmaus. The right-hander, making his first start of the season, gave up just a pair of runs on one hit in three innings before giving way to fellow junior Luke Deschenes, who allowed no hits and struck out six over the final four innings.
Gallagher and seniors Braden Waller and Bahyron Martinez each had one hit in the loss for the Hornets.
Emmaus will be back in action on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. as they travel to Freedom.
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Hazleton – 200 000 0 – 2-1-2
Emmaus – 000 001 0 – 1-3-1
Haz – Nick Biasi, Marcus LaBuda (7) and G. Russo. Em – Jaden Gallagher, Luke Deschenes (4) and Dominick Chiego. WP – Biasi, LP – Gallagher (0-1)
Em – Gallagher P/LF 1-3, O’Brien 2B 0-3, LePage 3B 0-3, Schantz CF 0-3, Waller DH 1-3, Chiego C 0-3, Foley 1B 0-2, Martinez LF 1-1, Amey SS 0-2, Hogan RF 0-2