SCRANTON — Abington had plenty of base runners, but was unable to deliver in key situations late in the game.
West Scranton took advantage of its own opportunity in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Designated hitter Tom Ivanoff came through with a walk-off single to give West a 3-2 win over Abington in a District 11 American Legion baseball game June 12 at Battaglia-Cawley Field. Nick Forsette’s two-out single started the rally.
“That was the difference,” Abington manager Mark Meyers said. “It was a great game, all around.”
Abington (2-1) struck for two runs in the top of the first inning.
Leadoff hitter Ryan Burke singled, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a RBI single by Dan Habeeb.
Habeeb advanced to second on a wild pitch and came around to score on an error.
West Scranton (3-1) pushed across a run in the bottom of the second inning when Forsette reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on an error.
Conor Newman singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Chris Callahan walked and stole second to put runners on second and third base with one out for Abington in the top of the fourth, but West pitcher Noah Worsnick stuck out the next two batters to work out of the jam.
West tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when John Iacobacci reached on an infield single and scored on a base hit by Worsnick.
Abington’s starting pitcher Vinny Vaccaro scattered four hits over 5 1/3 innings.
“He grinded and kept us in the game,” Meyers said.
Vaccaro, Newman and Michael Pusateri each drew a walk in the sixth inning, but West Scranton relief pitcher Justin Medici worked out of trouble without allowing a run.
“We had chances, we just couldn’t get the big hit,” Meyers said.
Pusateri singled in the eighth inning for Abington.
Abington will host Dickson City (1-0) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Abington Heights High School.
