Dunmore sophomore Max Forgione hitting hard all season

Posted on June 7, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore sophomore Max Forgione has been a model of consistency this entire baseball season.

He led the Lackawanna League Division II in batting average with an impressive .509 mark and in triples with three. He also scored 30 runs which tied for the Lackawanna League Division II lead.

He helped lead Dunmore into the playoffs, although the Bucks lost, 8-7, to Mid Valley in the District 2, Class 3A quarterfinals. Max did his part in the playoff game with two hits, two runs and an RBI.

Son of Derek and Autumn Forgione, Max also hit three homers this season as a sophomore.

As a freshman, he hit .460 with one homer.

The shortstop-pitcher also excels in the classroom where he has a 3.95 grade point average. His best academic subject is algebra.

He also is a starting guard on the Dunmore Bucks basketball team. Max averaged 10 points per game last season.

The scholar-athlete is a member of the Health Careers Club at Dunmore.

He enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see Cold Play in concert.

He talked about what it takes to excel at the shortstop position in high school baseball.

“You need to be quick and have fast reactions,” he said. “You need a very good arm to get the ball over the diamond.”

The tough-minded sophomore is already a strong leader on the team.

“Our coach Mike Hallinan teaches us to be a good teammate and a leader both on and off the field. He teaches us to grind at bats and be tough.”

Mid Major to Power 5 colleges and universities are already looking at Max as he concluded his sophomore season.

“I definitely want to play baseball in college,” he said. “I might study business and finance in college.”

Max said his parents are big supporters. “They tell me to keep grinding every single day. Eventually it will all pay off.”

The sophomore standout likes to talk about hitting. “You need to be able to do everything as a hitter,” he said. “You need to not just hit for the extra base, but play small ball, too. You need to be able to beat out a hit and spray the ball all around the field. You need both contact and power.”

Confident in his game, Max talked about future goals. “I definitely want to play college baseball, graduate college, and get a good paying job in my field.”

For now, Max said he is looking forward to his next two years at Dunmore.

“Dunmore is a great school. All of my coaches welcomed me as a leader right from the beginning. All of the coaches are great here at Dunmore.

“They teach me a lot about the game and how to be a good teammate.

“I have learned so much from my coaches and teachers here at Dunmore. And I have great teammates and friends.”

Dearly Departed Players decorate cemetery for Memorial Day

Posted on June 7, 2023 by The Dunmorean

The Dearly Departed Players recently decorated the Dunmore Cemetery for the Memorial Day holiday.

This season the Players took the cemetery Receiving Vault under their wing by decorating it with patriotic banners, wind spinners, flags and flowers. Director of the Dearly Departed Players, Julie Esty, noted that the organization has been asked by visitors who frequent the cemetery to decorate for holidays other than their seasonal decor in October for the annual Dunmore Cemetery Tour.

The Players are trying to comply and have received a good response whenever they decorate the Receiving Vault. Esty also noted that the cemetery is a very community friendly place, drawing visitors of all ages daily. The decorations seem to make people happy.

The Players were also at the cemetery on Memorial Day distributing handmade poppy pins to the public. Each pin has the name and information about a soldier buried in the cemetery who was killed in the line of duty in the World Wars.

Holy Cross sophomore Mia Galella on power surge

Posted on June 7, 2023 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross sophomore first baseman Mia Galella has been on a power surge all season.

The sophomore stalwart is second in home runs with eight in the Lackawanna League Division II.

She is also among the leaders in RBIs with 29 and in runs with 31.

She is batting .455 with a robust .704 on base percentage. Mia has seven doubles and a triple in addition to her eight homers.

Opposing pitchers often pitch around her. She has 40 walks.

Against Montrose in the District 2, Class 2A quarterfinals, a 14-1 win, Mia was intentionally walked twice in two at bats. She scored once and had three stolen bases.

Against Lakeland in the District 2, Class 2A semifinals, an 11-8 win, Mia walked, singled, doubled and homered. She scored twice, knocked in four runs and had four stolen bases.

“The one thing that was really crazy this season,” she said, ” is that I have been walked 40 times. I’m so thankful to my teammates who do their part and be productive and allow us to compete for a District 2 title opportunity.”

Daughter of Tom and Michelle Galella, Mia helped Holy Cross to a 10-4 league record this season. Seven of her homers came during the regular season.

As a freshman, Mia batted over .500 and finished second in the league with nine homers. Mia was selected All Regional at first base as a freshman.

The hitting standout also excels in the classroom. She has a 4.01 grade point average at Holy Cross. Her best academic subject is math. Mia is a member of the Pro Life Club and TRU Club. She received distinguished honors in Latin as a freshman and sophomore.

Her parents are her biggest fans. “My parents always teach me to try my best,” she said. ” No matter if you are playing the best or worst team, try your best. They also teach me to always be humble.”

Well-spoken and thoughtful, Mia said Holy Cross veteran softball coach Joe Ross has been a strong mentor. ” He teaches us no matter how good we are, we need to always stay humble. Always treat your opponent with respect.”

Mia enjoys listening to music and is a huge fan of Taylor Swift. “I want to see her so bad,” she said. “The tickets initially were so high in cost, but I will eventually get to see her. I hope so.”

Mia talked about what it takes to be a good first baseman in high school softball.

“You need to be aggressive and know everything that is going on around you. You need to help the other infielders. You need to help both the infield and outfield and be very vocal.”

She talked about what it takes to be a good hitter. “You need very good mechanics to hit the ball well. You need a good mindset, to be aggressive, and not over think. You need the hunger to win the at bat.

“Yes, yes, yes until it’s no. Don’t let the pitcher beat you.”

Mia is not sure where she wants to attend college yet, but does want to play college softball.

“I want to play Division I college softball, graduate, and pursue a career I have a passion for.”

Humble yet confident, Mia is enjoying her experience at a Holy Cross. “It’s great. I love it here. Everyone is so nice. The teachers and coaches are the best.”