Spring is about to pop its splendor, and so too are a band of youthful Panther Valley baseball players.

For the second time in as many tries, Panther Valley found an early-season groove that produced a win.

Tuesday, the Panthers turned to sophomore pitching prospect Bradley Hood, who performed like a seasoned veteran in a 7-1 nonleague win over Tamaqua.

It was the second straight win for PV (2-0), which is loaded with young talent, and players who seem to savor the moment.

Tamaqua (0-1) wasn’t at the top of its game in its opener, as a half-dozen early walks led to trouble.

The Panthers seized a 2-0 lead without the benefit of a base hit, then made it 3-0 in the top of the second when Stephen Hood, younger brother of Bradley, boomed a single to center scoring Chase Weaver who had walked. The only blight in the inning for the Panthers was a base-running miscue that the Tamaqua defense turned into a double play, preventing a potential big inning.

“Those are mental errors we’ve got to clean up,” said Panther Valley coach Rich Evancho. “But we played much better today than we did in our opener ... and the way Bradley pitched, what can you say?”

Hood’s performance was such that there was plenty to say about. He had a nasty breaking pitch, and a sneaky fastball that ran up on the Blue Raider hitters.

Hood said he was struggling with the curve/slider in the preseason, but found his release point yesterday.

Hood went six full innings, before yielding to his freshman brother Stephen, who finished off the victory. Bradley Hood tossed 95 pitches, 64 in the strike zone. He struck out eight, while allowing just four hits - one an infield dribbler - and one earned run.

“The most impressive thing about (Bradley) was how he hit his spots,” Evancho said. “He seldom got behind batters. When he has command of all of his pitches, he’s a tough guy to hit.”

While Hood was dominating from the mound, Panther Valley continue to build its lead.

The Panthers’ 3-0 cushion grew to 4-0 in the top of the fourth when Weaver singled, and hot-hitting senior Johnny Byers stroked an RBI hit to plate Weaver. Byers went 3-for-4 on the day.

After Tamaqua got on the board in the home-half of the fourth, PV finished out its run production in the sixth by plating three runners on one hit, which came from a Louie Clouser bunt.

“We’re looking for rhythm not only hitting the ball, but pitching wise,” veteran Tamaqua skipper Jeff Reading said. “I thought Tommy Case came in and did a really nice job in relief for us, pitching in his first ever varsity game.”

RAIDER OFFENSE ... Kaleb Muschock and Case had two hits apiece to account for all of Tamaqua’s offense.

LEATHERMEN

… Both sides had some very good defensive plays. PV’s Derek Pavlik threw some leather at the hot corner, and used his strong arm to peg out runners. Then there was the smoothness of Tamaqua shortstop Zander Coleman, who can put on a clinic on how to field a grounder.

BIG BAT BYERS

… The leadoff hitter for the Panthers had a great afternoon with two singles, a double, and a run scored. Besides Byers’ three hits, PV got one hit each from Stephen Hood, Pat Boyle, Clouser and Weaver.

GET USED TO IT

… Some of the Panther athletes who played well - the two Hoods and Weaver specifically - also were part of a young nucleus that performed admirably on the basketball court this winter, and are names that will assuredly be heard in Panther Valley athletics for the next several years.

RUN BABY RUN

… Have to love the way Evancho and assistant John Cooper turn loose the team with base running. PV has speed on the bases, which was on full display Tuesday as it swiped an impressive 12 bases, which is sure to put a lot of pressure on opposing teams’ pitchers and catchers.

Panther Vy. 210 103 0 – 7 7 0

Tamaqua 000 200 0- 2 5 1

B. Hood, S. Hood (7) and Pascoe; Coccio, Case (2), Coleman (6) and Wickersham. W – B. Hood L – Coccio.