It's all about the matchups when it comes to Tamaqua playing North Schuylkill in baseball.

So far, it has been in favor of the Spartans.A second meeting for the Blue Raiders against southpaw Bobby Grigas turned into another loss, as the Spartans parlayed Grigas' pitching and the timely hitting of fellow senior CJ Steinhilber into a 3-0 victory.The win enables North Schuylkill to take command of the top spot in Division I of the Schuylkill Baseball League, as they improve to 6-1 (11-2). It puts a two-game lead in the loss column between the Spartans and Raiders, with five to play. Meanwhile, Tamaqua (4-3, 8-4), Lehighton, and Pine Grove all have three losses."This was a game we wanted so much," mentioned Grigas, who allowed only three hits, striking out seven and walking one. "We didn't want to lose (the) top spot, now it's all in our hands. We control our own destiny."If not for a bases-clearing double from Steinhilber, both sides might have played into the darkness. Tough-luck losing pitcher Matt Minchhoff nearly matched Grigas pitch-for-pitch. He allowed six hits, two from Grigas and Bobby Wagner, a Richie Zahodnick single, and Steinhilber's double."He is so tough and a great athlete," noted Tamaqua skipper Jeff Reading about Grigas. "Not only did he pitch well, but he made some great defensive plays. It was a great game, and (Minchhoff) has been very good."It took all of 90 minutes to complete the game, as neither team had a bonafide threat through three innings.Tamaqua's defense helped to undo a potential rally in the first and second. Grigas singled to open the game, but was doubled up on a Zahodnick grounder that went around the horn.Wagner singled with one out in the top of the second, but catcher Casey Rother cut down an attempted steal.Grigas was nearly spotless through the first nine outs. Except for a Minchhoff single in the second, Tamaqua couldn't solve his riddle of fastball, curveball and changeup.North Schuylkill finally found a way to get to the lanky Minchhoff in the winning fourth-inning rally. Grigas and Zahodnick both singled. After Tevin Murray drove a ball to the fence in deep right-center, which allowed Grigas to tag and move to third, Chris Burke drew a walk to jam the sacks.Minchhoff looked ready to get off the cuff with a strikeout, and then had Steinhilber looking at a full count. The sixth pitch allowed all the runners to takeoff, and Steinhilber slashed an opposite field double allowing all three runners to score."That was such a big hit, it was the (winner) when you look back on it," said North Schuylkill manager Nick Brayford. "He was struggling at times (this season), but hestayed with the pitch with his hands up."Tamaqua came close to brewing up a rally of its own in the home half of the inning, but Grigas worked out of trouble with a line out, and two fielder's choice groundouts. And in the fifth, Ed Titus walked, Russell Blaker singled, all with two outs, and a groundout ended the would-be threat in the home fifth."They made the big hit when they needed it," said Reading. "But this is baseball. Now let's see what happens."DIAMOND DUST …Both teams were solid in the field. Three times Grigas had grounders hit back to him, including a very difficult chance on a ball that was hit to his far left. Both catchers are outstanding and maybe the two best in the league; Rother for the Raiders and Burke for the Spartans.BALLS AND STRIKES…Grigas was very in control, as he threw 99 pitches, 73 for strikes. Ironically, Minchhoff tossed 99 pitches, 60 were for strikes. In the last matchup, North Schuylkill scored a 7-0 win. Grigas was the winner with a six-hitter; Minchhoff the loser allowing seven hits.ON DECK …Tamaqua plays Jim Thorpe Thursday, while North Schuylkill hosts Pine Grove.No. Schuylkill 000 300 0 - 3 6 0Tamaqua 000 000 0 - 0 3 0Grigas and Burke; Minchhoff and Rother. W - Grigas. L - Minchhoff.