Babe Ruth Baseball: Valley Athletic storms past Lions to claim title
Valley Athletic captured the 2026 championship of the Pottsville Babe Ruth League with a 15-5 win over Lions in Tuesday's championship game. Team members include, front row, from left: Gage Soult, Ryan Bet, Rococo Mammarella, Jake Taris, Conner Walasavage, Gavin Price and Colin Lynch; second row, Declan Kane, Gage Nefos, Kason Stevens, Isaiah Rios, Colby Wagner, Mike Gambone, Cash Kalkiewicz and Jacob Miller. Missing from photo: Nick Lempfert (Submitted Photo).
Mahanoy Area-based squad rolls to title
POTTSVILLE — Valley Athletic used a 13-run, first-inning outburst en route to a 15-5, five-inning victory over Lions in Tuesday’s Pottsville Babe Ruth League championship game at the Peacock Street Field.
The top seed in the 10-team playoff tournament, Valley Athletic converted nine hits into 13 runs in the bottom of the first, overcoming an early 2-0 deficit to take control.
Ryan Bet had the big blow in the frame for the Mahanoy Area-based squad with a three-run single. Colby Wagner led Valley Athletic’s 14-hit attack by going 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Mike Gambone was 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs, while Bet and Gavin Price each had two hits. Kason Stevens and Bet each scored three runs.
Cash Kalkiewicz and Wagner combined on the hill to limit the Lions to five hits, striking out 11.
Tuesday’s win capped a dominating run through the playoff tournament for Valley Athletic, which defeated OIP 10-0 and Pottsville Zone 12-2 to reach the finals.
Kruz Tobin hit a two-run homer to left field to open the scoring for Lions, who had knocked off Schuylkill Haven 17-13 in Sunday’s semifinals. Jayson Kunstek was 2-for-3.
