If Saturday’s results are any indication, this year’s edition of the Wayne County Teener League all-star team may be on its way to a memorable performance at the state tournament.

The local 15-year-olds traveled to Archbald for a doubleheader battle with Valley View. This exhibition twinbill is the first step on what Coach Joe Curreri hopes will be a long and exciting journey.

“I thought we had a very good team last year, but we hadn’t played enough actual games before we went down there,” Coach Curreri told TWI Sports. “That inexperience definitely hurt us. I didn’t want to make that same mistake this time around, so we started practicing earlier and we’re getting some games in. I can see a difference already.”

On Saturday, the Wayne County all-stars traveled to Mellow Park for its twinbill debut. The result was an utterly dominating sweep of Valley View. The local lads rolled to a football-like 26-0 win in the opener. They followed that up with a 15-2 shellacking in the nightcap.

Last year, the 15-year-old all-stars won two games before being eliminated. This will mark Coach Curreri’s fifth trip to the state tournament and he’s currently exuding a quiet confidence.

“We have the potential to do some real damage,” said Coach Curreri. “These kids can really hit the ball hard. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”

Wayne County’s finest open their quest for a Babe Ruth state championship next Thursday, July 17th in State College. The local lads will play at least one game per day through Sunday. Should they survive this double elimination meat grinder, the 15s would qualify for the medal round beginning on Monday.

Stay tuned to TWI Sports for continuing coverage of all the local teener all-star teams.

Doubleheader Sweep
Ian Dassance proved to be a one-man wrecking crew Saturday at Mellow Park.
Paupack’s slugging infielder single-handedly destroyed Valley View in Game One.

Ian ripped an RBI double in the second, but then exploded in the fifth.Dassance clubbed a solo homer that ignited Wayne County’s nine-run uprising. He then came to the plate for a second time in the same inning and upped the ante.

This time around, Ian crushed a grand slam, giving him five RBIs in a single frame. He finished up the day with three hits, three runs scored and six RBIs.

“Ian Dassance is just a monster,” said Coach Curreri with a laugh. “If he hits like that at states, we’re going to be in really good shape.”

But, it wasn’t just Dassance who flexed his muscles this past weekend. Players from Honesdale, Tusten, and Waymart all terrorized Valley View pitchers.

Nick Hessling of the Eagles enjoyed a 3-for-4 day at the dish in the opener. The Red & Black backstop lashed three singles, swiped an eye-popping six bases and scored three runs.

Johnny Lang only played three innings, but he made that time count. Lang singled in the first, doubled in the second and added another single in the third. He swiped five sacks and scored three times.

Jeremy DeGori went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

Billy Gillette reached base three times and tallied three times. Waymart’s hard-throwing ace also drew the starting nod and eventually earned the win. Gillette worked three hitless innings before yielding to the bullpen. Billy fanned six and walked two.

Cody Fredo and Jake DeSane also toed the rubber for Wayne County.

In the nightcap, the local all-stars once again leapt out to a big early lead, then cruised to victory. Coach Curreri’s squad tallied nine times in the first two frames en route to a 15-2 decision.

Alex Dieterich led the way in this one. The Eagles’ outfielder ripped three hits in three plate appearances. He doubled twice, scored three runs and drove in two others.

Tusten’s Mike Pierce also enjoyed a big game. The Indians’ slugger singled, homered and collected three RBIs.

Brad Fasshauer and Dassance rounded out the offensive assault. Fasshauer ripped a single and triple, while Dassance crushed his third round tripper of the day.

Koberlein was Wayne County’s starter and winner. Zach pitched two frames before Lang took over. Hessling and Pierce also took turns on the hill. This all-star quartet combined for nine strikeouts in a five-inning victory.

“This is a talented group of kids,” said Coach Curreri. “They’re already starting to mesh and build some camaraderie. We’re all excited to get going and see what we can do.”