[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE PITTSTON AREA HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAM, PIAA CLASS 5A 
                        STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2022

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the Pittston Area Girls 
Softball Team on their perfect season and state championship win. On 
June 16, 2022, the Patriots clinched their 25th win of the season to be 
crowned the PIAA Class 5A state softball champions.
  Under the direction of head coach Frank Parente and Tori Para, Sage 
Weidlich, and Skylar Borthwick, three seasoned senior players as 
captains, the Patriots started the season believing they had the talent 
and the drive to do something special. They were right. They thrived 
during conference play in the second largest of PIAA's six enrollment 
classifications without losing a game.
  The team headed to the District 2 Class 5A softball championship game 
with an undefeated record and sailed to a 1-0 victory over West 
Scranton High School with pitcher Gianna Adams throwing a no-hitter. 
Now 21-0, the Patriots began their state championship run.
  After defeating South Western 13 to 0 and Lampeter-Strasburg, the 
defending state champions, 3 to 2, the team found themselves one game 
away from the state championship match, staring down the Oxford High 
School Hornets. Despite the Hornets rallying in the bottom of the sixth 
to score four runs, the Patriots came out on top, securing their place 
to compete for the state title. This marked the first state 
championship game appearance for Pittston Area in any team sport in 
school history.
  On July 16, the Patriots took Penn State University's Beard Field 
against the Armstrong High School River Hawks for the state 
championship title. The River Hawks were looking for redemption after 
their loss to Lampeter-Strasburg in the title game in 2021. Bella 
Giardina helped the team secure an early lead with a two-run single, 
and Adams dominated from the pitcher's mound. With two more runs, the 
Patriots secured a 4-0 lead over the River Hawks, which they held onto 
to be named state champions.
  I am honored to recognize the talented young women of the Pittston 
Area High School Softball Team on their outstanding season and state 
championship win. They have made the entire 8th Congressional District 
proud with their exceptional athletic prowess and sportsmanship. May 
they continue to find success in their athletic pursuits and all their 
future endeavors.

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