Hazleton Salvages Split with Big Comeback Against Mont Alto

Game 1:

Penn State Hazleton showed a brief but encouraging offensive spark despite a 13–3 loss to Penn State Mont Alto, with all of its production coming in a single inning.

Trailing 5–0 early, Hazleton responded in the bottom of the second with its best stretch of the game. Ryan Racho got the rally started with an RBI single, followed by Cooper Ansbach driving in a run with a base hit to left. Moments later, Aiden Rodriguez capped the surge with another RBI single, trimming the deficit to 5–3 and briefly shifting momentum. That inning accounted for three of Hazleton's four hits, showcasing an ability to string together quality at-bats. Josh Smeltzer also contributed offensively, going 1-for-2 and scoring a run, while Maximus Cuevas reached base and crossed the plate during the rally.

While the pitching staff faced a tough Mont Alto lineup, there were moments of resilience. Gavin Wallace worked through early innings before handing things off, and the bullpen continued to compete despite the scoreline.

Game 2:

Penn State Hazleton delivered its most complete performance of the weekend in dramatic fashion, rallying for a 9–7 comeback win over Penn State Mont Alto to salvage the finale of the series.

After falling behind early, Hazleton's offense came alive late, powered by a balanced attack that produced 13 hits and contributions throughout the lineup.

Hazleton struck first in the opening inning when Brandon Unger ripped a two-run double to right-center, scoring Maximus Cuevas and Aiden Rodriguez for a quick 2–1 lead. However, Mont Alto answered with a big second inning and built a 7–2 advantage by the fourth, putting Hazleton in a deep hole. Rather than folding, Hazleton chipped away. In the fourth inning, Briar Campbell delivered a two-RBI double to cut the deficit to 7–4, bringing home Owen Walmer and Josh Smeltzer and keeping the game within reach.

The decisive moment came in the seventh inning, when Hazleton erupted for five runs in a game-changing rally. Aiden Rodriguez started it with a clutch two-run double to make it 7–6. With momentum fully shifted, Dylan Colantone delivered the biggest hit of the day—a two-run double to center field that gave Hazleton the win. 

Hazleton's offense was relentless in the comeback. Rodriguez finished with two hits, two RBIs, and two stolen bases, while Cuevas added two hits and scored twice. Campbell and Colantone each drove in two runs, and Unger's early two-RBI double set the tone. In total, five different players recorded multi-hit games or multiple RBIs in a true team effort.

On the mound, Cooper Ansbach played a pivotal role in the turnaround. Entering in relief, he stabilized the game with 5.1 innings of work, allowing just one run on three hits while earning the win. His outing gave Hazleton the chance to mount its comeback after a tough start from Josh Smeltzer, who faced a potent Mont Alto lineup early.