Stubborn Old Man Winter continued his interruption of spring on Thursday afternoon.

He displayed his chill and frigidness as Lehighton tried to figure a way to not only beat back the cold, but defeat host Tamaqua.

That didn’t happen, however, as the Raiders had enough heat on the mound and at the plate to post a 6-4 Schuylkill League Division 1 victory.

The win raised Tamaqua’s record to 5-6 overall and 3-3 in the league, while Lehighton falls to 2-7 overall and 1-6 in the league.

The Raiders’ Bryn Clifford figured out enough ways to escape trouble and post the pitching win. She allowed nine hits and two walks, but relied on some ‘heat’ when she needed it most, striking out 12 batters to prevent any big Indian innings.

Clifford was also a big part of the storyline at the plate as she singled, doubled and walked, leading to courtesy runner Megan Levine crossing home plate three times. Meanwhile, teammate Alexsys Thomas doubled, singled and drove in a runner; Riley McMillan slapped out a double and single; and Ella McLaughlin chipped in a single.

Clifford also fueled the game-winning rally in the home fifth. With the teams deadlocked 4-4, Clifford and Thomas drew consecutive walks. McMillan wasted no time responding with a huge single to drive in what would be the winning run. Moments later, Hailey Williams lofted a fly to left, enabling Thomas to tag and score the final run of the game.

“We’re learning to be resilient for a young team,” said Tamaqua coach Jill Barron.

Tamaqua bolted in front with a 2-0 lead after an inning. Clifford ripped a double to center and Thomas followed with an RBI-double to left. She eventually scored on Riley Zeigenfuss’s fielder’s choice ground out.

Undaunted, the Indians cut into the deficit with a run in the second thanks to singles by Mallory Valentine and Allyssa Myers. The Indians tied the contest in the third when Maggie Pagotto singled and rode home on a Mia Snyder double.

“We’re a pretty young team, and we’re basically learning as we go,” said Lehighton manager Dave Yob. “With COVID last season, all of these girls missed the entire year. So our sophomores are really freshmen, and our juniors are basically sophomores.”

The Raiders regained the lead in the home third when Clifford singled, and pinch runner Levine raced to the plate as Thomas delivered an RBI-single. Zeigenfuss also picked up another RBI on a slow roller to second.

Trailing 4-2, Lehighton struck for the tying runs in the fifth. Cheyenne Whitman got things rolling with a single, before Paige Shellhammer slammed a double plating Whitman. Shellhammer came around to score on a Pagotto hit for the tie.

After Tamaqua once again took the lead in the home fifth, the Indians tried to rally one more time in the seventh.

Clifford got a quick strikeout, but Shellhammer drew a walk and Pagotto promptly singled to center. Clifford wasn’t giving in, however, as she reared back and struck out the final two batters to seal the deal.

“I’m not too happy with the way we executed at times,” Barron said. “We got the win, but we need to be more focused. We need to be more patient, and we need to execute better.”

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE … Was it ever, as the temps dipped to near 40 degrees as the game lingered for nearly two hours. Brr!

DE JU VU ... Both teams posted double plays in the same inning on the identical same scoring sequence. In the top of the sixth, with a runner at first for Lehighton, Tamaqua second baseman McMillan had a ball hit to her, placed a tag on the runner, and flipped to first for the twin killing. Then in the bottom half, Lehighton second baseman Myers pulled off the exact same play.

BIG BAT ... Indians’ leadoff hitter Pagotto had a strong game, reaching base four times as she went 3-for-3 with a walk.

Lehighton 011 020 0 - 4 9 0

Tamaqua 202 020 x - 6 6 0

Miller and Whitman; Clifford and Warne. W - Clifford. L - Miller.