HATS OFF: Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball player James Schiavone gets ready to bat in recent action. Princeton High rising senior Schiavone starred with his bat and arm last Sunday as Post 218 defeated Broad Street Park Post 313 13-9 to earn its first win of the summer. Schiavone went 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs and then produced a strong relief outing, striking out five and yielding just one hit in 2.0 innings of work to secure the win. Post 218, now 1-12, was slated to play at Allentown on June 25 before hosting Trenton Post 93/182 on June 27 at Smoyer Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Ending its 12-game losing streak this summer with a bang, the Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball team pounded out 17 hits as it topped Broad Street Park Post 313 13-9 last Sunday at Hamilton High.

Princeton High standout Travis Petrone led the hit parade for Post 218, going 4 for 5 with a double, one run, and three RBIs. Nate Nydick went 3 for 4 with one run and one RBI, while Nano Sarceno went 2 for 5 with a run and three RBIs. James Schiavone, Ray Nault, and Anders Hedin each contributed two hits in the win for Princeton.

Princeton dug an early hole as it fell behind 2-0 in the first inning but responded with five runs in the top of the second to go up 5-2 and never tallied after that. Max Decker delivered a key hit in the rally with a two-run single.

Post 218 scored two runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings as it extended its lead to 11-3 behind some superb pitching by starter Ray Nault.

Broad Street Park, though, made things dicey for Princeton as it scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to trim the lead to 11-9. Post 218 responded with two runs in the top of the seventh to give itself a cushion heading into the bottom of the final inning.

Coming on in relief in the sixth, Schiavone shut the door on Broad Street as he held it scoreless to secure the victory for Princeton. PHS rising senior Schiavone struck out five and yielded just one hit in 2.0 innings of work. Nault recorded eight strikeouts in earning the win.

The triumph ended an overall 16-game losing skid for Post 218 as it dropped the last four games of the 2023 season. Princeton, now 1-12, will look to keep on the winning track as it was slated to play at Allentown on June 25 before hosting Trenton Post 93/182 on June 27 at Smoyer Park.