TUNKHANNOCK — Wyoming Area still had a shot to defend its Wyoming Valley Conference softball title heading into Wednesday’s game with Tunkhannock. The Tigers, however, keep finding ways to win this season.

Tunkhannock rallied with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat the Warriors, 5-3, and eliminate the defending divisional champion from title contention. The loss knocked Wyoming Area down to 7-5, but with two other wins during the week, the Warriors can still fight for district seeding.

On Monday, Wyoming Area whipped Lake-Lehman, 11-0. A 3-1 win over Crestwood on Thursday moved the Warriors to 8-5, just a half game behind Pittston Area for the fifth seed in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District 2 Class AAA.

The Warriors found themselves up 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth when the Tigers poured in four runs on Wednesday. Although the Warriors answered with one in the seventh, it wasn’t enough.

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Bree Bednarski had a double and an RBI, while Julia Kopetchney had two hits and scored two runs. Gwen Glatz, who took the loss for Wyoming Area, chipped in with an RBI.

Against the Black Knights, Glatz, Grace Gober and Kristi Skok all knocked in two runs for the Warriors. Glatz had an RBI double in the third, her second run-scoring double of the game. Skok drove home a pair of runs with a single. Gober had an RBI single, while Bednarski and Vicki Remley plated runs on groundouts.

Glatz limited Crestwood to just three hits in a 3-1 win over the Comets on Thursday. The Warriors scored all three of their runs in the first inning.

Heather Nametko and Kristi Skok both delivered RBI singles with the bases loaded for Wyoming Area’s first two runs and Jess Parente brought home the third with a sacrifice bunt. Bree Bednarski finished with a double and a triple in the victory.

Baloga, Patriots perfect

Pittston Area came into the week with a 5-4 record in the middle of the pack in the league standings. With a perfect week, including a perfect game, the Patriots find themselves closer to the top with now an 8-4 mark.

The Patriots won all three games this week by a combined score of 29-6. The highlight of the week, however, came during Thursday’s Senior Day.

Taylor Baloga threw a five-inning perfect game as the Patriots upended Coughlin, 13-0, for their third win of the week. Facing just 15 batters, Baloga struck out nine of them. At the dish, Pittston Area senior Miranda Romanofski was 3-for-3 with four RBI.

Pittston Area was aided by a 10-run third inning. Abbey Bradigan, Lexi Felinski and Baloga each provided three hits, while Mindina Lieback and Julie Silinskie each had two RBI.

The win guarantees Pittston Area its first winning softball season since 2005.

On Tuesday, the Patriots took care of Dallas, 12-3. Baloga got the win, while Silinskie, Lieback, Romanofski and Nina Cencetti each had doubles. Baloga hit a grand slam and finished with six RBI.

On Monday, Pittston Area beat Berwick, 4-3, in nine innings. The Patriots found themselves down three runs after the first inning but clawed back to get the win. Baloga, Felinski and Lieback each had two hits.

What’s next

Wyoming Area’s originally scheduled game against Wyoming Seminary on Friday, May 13 has been cancelled and will not be made up. The Warriors final regular season game will be at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 against defending PIAA District 2 Class AAA champion Nanticoke (9-2).

The Patriots still have three regular season games to play: Monday hosting Wyoming Valley West, Wednesday at Crestwood, and Thursday hosting Hazleton Area.

Wyoming Areas Vicky Remley sets to make a catch on a pop fly on Monday against Lake-Lehman.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_wya_sb5_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Areas Vicky Remley sets to make a catch on a pop fly on Monday against Lake-Lehman. Fred Adams | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area’s Sarah Coolbaugh frames a called strike against Lake-Lehman on Monday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_wya_sb4_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area’s Sarah Coolbaugh frames a called strike against Lake-Lehman on Monday. Fred Adams | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming Area’s Grace Gober rips a single during the third inning against Lake-Lehman on Monday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_wya_sb3_faa-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area’s Grace Gober rips a single during the third inning against Lake-Lehman on Monday. Fred Adams | For Sunday Dispatch
Baloga tosses perfect game for Patriots

By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick