S. ABINGTON TWP. — Abington Heights won two of three games against Wallenpaupack in the final league series for each team by splitting a pair of games May 11.

Comets pitchers Nick Termini and Vinny Vaccaro combined to slow down Wallenpaupack (6-6) in the second game of the series that started May 10 but had to be finished the next day due to rain.

Termini allowed two hits, while striking out four batters, over the first four innings and Vaccaro allowed just one hit over the final three innings during Abington Heights’ 7-3 win. Neither pitcher was charged with an earned run.

“Nick threw well and Vinny came in and threw great; he’s been throwing really well lately,” Abington Heights head coach Bill Zalewski said. “I was very happy with their performances.”

Dan Habeeb and Anthony Freda each had two hits and two RBIs for Abington Heights (5-7).

A quality pitching performance from Wallenpaupack’s Izaiah Santiago helped the Buckhorns earn a 7-1 win in the third game of the series.

The sophomore allowed five hits and struck out five batters, including three looking, to earn the victory on the mound.

“He threw a great game,” Zalewski said. “He pitched out of some jams and showed great composure for a young kid.”

Freda, who had two hits, singled and Joey Barcia walked to start the bottom of the second for Abington Heights but, after a sacrifice bunt by Graham Gilmore, Santiago retired the next two batters to work out of early trouble.

Wallenpaupack struck for two runs in the top of the third. Kyle Nolan drove in Ty Holbert, who singled, and Derrick Vosburg, who reached on an error, with a single down the first base line.

Abington Heights had a good opportunity to do some damage in the bottom of the third, but a defensive play by Santiago halted the Comets’ momentum.

Jake Petty led off the inning with a walk, Ryan Burke lined a double down the left field line and James Myers walked to load the bases with one out.

Freda smashed a ball right back to Santiago, who knocked it down and got the force out at home. He followed up the defensive gem by striking out the next batter to end the threat.

“That’s the game of baseball,” Zalewski said. “You can’t hit the ball any harder than he did…we’ll take that every time.”

Petty drove in Abington Heights’ lone run in the fourth inning.

Max Alessi drove in a run and courtesy runner Hunter Vargo scored on an error in the fifth for Wallenpaupack.

Alessi had an RBI double and Alex Sands drove in two runs with a single in the seventh for Buckhorns.

Evan Dempsey started the game on the mound for Abington Heights and allowed three hits, while striking out two, over three innings. T.J. Lacey allowed three hits and struck out four in 2 2/3 innings for the Comets. Scott Gilbert allowed three hits over the final 1 1/3 innings.

Abington Heights won the first game of the series, 2-1, May 7.

Abington Heights’ Evan Dempsey winds up to throw a pitch during a Lackawanna League Division 2 baseball game against Wallenpaupack May 11.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_ABJ-AH-Baseball-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights’ Evan Dempsey winds up to throw a pitch during a Lackawanna League Division 2 baseball game against Wallenpaupack May 11. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Abington Heights’ T.J. Lacey delivers a pitch during a Lackawanna League Division 2 baseball game against Wallenpaupack May 11.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_ABJ-AH-Baseball-2.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights’ T.J. Lacey delivers a pitch during a Lackawanna League Division 2 baseball game against Wallenpaupack May 11. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.