HEGINS - A showdown between Panther Valley and Tri-Valley might connect the final dots for the upcoming Schuylkill League baseball playoffs.

In what can be called a “classic” baseball game, the Bulldogs found a way to stop the Panthers undefeated 15-game win streak, and terrific junior pitcher Stephen Hood’s run of victories, to eek out a 3-2 victory.

It showed just how evenly matched the Panthers and the Bulldogs are. It also showed why they might be the two top clubs in the league, as well.

For most of Thursday’s game, Panther Valley held sway. The Panthers got out of the gate with two runs in the top of the first inning. The way it started, Panther Valley (15-1) seemed its usual self.

But the Panthers failed to capitalize on golden opportunities, leaving runners on the basepaths – two in the first, one in the second, three in the third and two more in their last-chance at-bats.

“We didn’t hit the ball when we had men in scoring position, it’s as simple as that,” said Panther Valley mentor Rich Evanko. “You know, we leave the bases loaded in the third right there, that hurt us.”

Tri-Valley (13-1) junior pitcher Jake Tietsworth found ways to dodge bullet after bullet. The unshakable righthander had thrown 27 first-inning pitches, 13 in the second, and 21 in the third. But all PV could show for it were five hits, and eight stranded runners.

“I knew it was going to be a good game from the start, we just had to come and be prepared,” Tietsworth said. “I was throwing more off-speed then fastballs, and I was throwing them for strikes.”

The quick start from PV included a single from torrid-hitting senior Mike Pascoe, who scooted to third when Hayden Goida’s grounder was booted for an error and Pascoe scored. Moments later, Brad Hood singled to the opposite field in right plating Goida, and the Panthers had a start they were hoping for.

Meanwhile, Hood – who struck out seven – was touched for a run in the home half of the first when Kameron Wetzel pounded a double to left with one out, and Luke Scheib walked before Aiden Nye beat out a roller for an infield RBI hit. Hood would wiggle out of danger, getting a come-backer to the mound ending the rally.

The next three innings looked like a potential profit-sharing plan for the Panthers, before the bottom fell out without a runner crossing home. Brody Briner lashed a two-out double in the second, but was stranded.

Pascoe blasted a double to open the third, and reached third when Goida’s grounder was booted for on an error. But Tri-Valley catcher Nye threw out Goida trying to steal. Tietsworth walked the next two batters to load the bases, before rearing back for a strikeout to avoid big trouble.

An inning later, the ‘Dawgs pushed across the tying run. Kole Miller, who earned a save in one inning of relief, uncorked a double down the left-field line, and then Tietsworth aided his pitching cause with an RBI single to tie the game. But PV got a picture-perfect double play when TV’s Luke Wehry bounced a comebacker to Hood, who flicked to Pascoe, and the shortstop threw to first for the twin killing.

Panther Valley went down silently in the fifth and sixth, and Tri-Valley put together a text-book rally in the home sixth.

Schieb led off with a flare to right, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. That brought Jason Stewart – who was inserted in the top half of the inning – and on the first pitch, he singled to right for what would be the game-winning hit.

Panther Valley didn’t go away quietly. Pascoe and Cody Orsulak drew walks with one out. Brandt Smith, the Tri-Valley skipper, quickly brought in Miller, who got a fly out and a groundout to end the game.

BALANCE OF POWER

... The outcome might also set the seedings for the four-team league tournament in mid-May at Stump Stadium in Pine Grove. As it stands, the Panthers (9-1) are the Division III representatives for the third straight season and meet the defending league and Division I champs, Blue Mountain. Tri-Valley (9-1) draws the second seed out of Division II, if it doesn’t lose another league game, and meets either Lehighton or Tamaqua depending on who finishes second in Division I.

NARY A HARD ONE

… Tietsworth doesn’t break glass with his fastball, he just throws strikes consistently. He throw 101 pitches before departing, 65 in the zone. He has an effective off-speed pitch, which sets up the table.

TORRIDLY HOT

… Pascoe is having a sensational spring. The senior is hitting .617 with 20 RBIs, four homers, four doubles, two triples, and 28 runs scored. He has struck out just three times and drawn 12 walks. On Thursday, he had two more hits and was on base all four times.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

… Orsulak continues to show why he’s among the best catchers in the league. On Thursday, he threw out two runners, with the second being extremely impressive. Orsulak, from his knees on a breaking pitch, threw out Layne Yoder, a kid that can pick-em-up and lay-em-down. Orsulak will continue his career at Franklin Pierce University.

HE’S BACK … PV’s Stephen Hood missed a few games due to his non-throwing arm. On Thursday, he had a solid outing, striking out seven but walking six, which is a rarity for the junior.

Panther Valley 200 000 0 - 2 5 0

Tri-Valley 100 101 x - 3 7 2

S. Hood and Orsulak; Tietsworth, K. Miller and Ney. W - Tietsworth. L - S. Hood.