Hazleton Area Cougars Defeat Berwick Bulldogs in High-Scoring WVC Baseball Game

Cougars overcome early deficit to win 21-9 in five innings

Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:03am

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A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicting the action and movement of a high school baseball game, with players and the field deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes.A cubist interpretation of the high-scoring baseball game between the Hazleton Area Cougars and Berwick Bulldogs, capturing the energy and intensity of the back-and-forth contest.Hazleton Today

The Hazleton Area Cougars baseball team defeated the Berwick Bulldogs 21-9 in a high-scoring Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) Division 1 game that ended in five innings due to the mercy rule. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Cougars responded with a 9-run bottom half to take control of the game. Hazleton Area continued to pour on the offense, scoring 21 runs total, while the Bulldogs managed to score 6 more runs in the third inning before the Cougars closed them out.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the importance of bringing energy and focus to every game, no matter the opponent. The Cougars initially came out flat but were able to respond with a big inning to take the lead. It also showed the value of patience at the plate and taking advantage of scoring opportunities, as both teams displayed throughout the game.

The details

Hazleton Area starting pitcher LD Ventra struggled early, allowing 3 runs in the top of the first as Berwick batted around. But the Cougars answered with 9 runs in the bottom half, taking the lead for good. They added 5 more runs in the second and 5 in the third to build a big lead. Berwick scored 6 runs in the third to make it 19-9, but Hazleton Area junior Leo Severino shut them down over the final two innings to end the game via the mercy rule.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • Berwick scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning.
  • Hazleton Area scored 9 runs in the bottom of the first inning.
  • Hazleton Area scored 5 runs in the bottom of the second inning.
  • Berwick scored 6 runs in the top of the third inning.
  • Hazleton Area scored 5 runs in the bottom of the third inning.

The players

Russ Canzler

The head coach of the Hazleton Area Cougars baseball team, who has played in the major leagues.

LD Ventra

The starting pitcher for the Hazleton Area Cougars.

Leo Severino

A junior pitcher for the Hazleton Area Cougars who came in to close out the game.

Brandon Michael

The head coach of the Berwick Bulldogs baseball team.

Logan Hearity

A player for the Hazleton Area Cougars who hit a 2-run triple in the first inning.

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What they’re saying

“The message to our guys was about our standard and our expectations every single game. I thought we came out a little flat initially... but we responded well.”

— Russ Canzler, Head Coach, Hazleton Area Cougars

“You don't think the other team is going to come up and do the exact same thing right after you. And that's exactly what they did.”

— Brandon Michael, Head Coach, Berwick Bulldogs

“It's really important to come to the field with energy and a chip on your shoulder every game and give it your (all) against anyone who comes into your path. You can't ever take anyone lightly.”

— Logan Hearity, Player, Hazleton Area Cougars

What’s next

The Hazleton Area Cougars will look to build on this win as they continue their WVC Division 1 schedule. The Berwick Bulldogs will aim to learn from this experience and apply the lessons to their upcoming games.

The takeaway

This high-scoring game between the Hazleton Area Cougars and Berwick Bulldogs demonstrated the importance of bringing energy and focus to every contest, no matter the opponent. The Cougars overcame an early deficit by responding with a big inning, showcasing the value of patience at the plate and taking advantage of scoring opportunities.