STROUDSBURG - With the postseason fast approaching, Pleasant Valley knows the value of pressure plays.

It’s a strategy the Bears hope to turn into another deep playoff run.

And one they put into action on Monday in the regular season finale against Stroudsburg.

The top of the seventh inning featured back-to-back double squeezes by Pleasant Valley that caught the Mountaineers off guard as part of a seven-run inning in a 15-6 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference victory, one that helped the team secure a spot in the EPC tournament.

“We thought it would be good to keep putting pressure on their defense, and try to tack some extra runs on to allow Ben (Mostosky) the freedom to go on the mound without any pressure,” Bears’ acting head coach Joe Anderton said. “We came into the huddle before (the inning) and said, ‘Let’s tack on some extra runs, and give Ben some insurance and make some things happen.’“

Pleasant Valley struck first and held on to an 8-3 lead until Stroudsburg’s Aaron Kirby hit a bases-clearing triple in the bottom of the fourth to chop the PV lead down to two.

But the Bears (12-8, 10-6) didn’t flinch, keeping their poise and sticking to their plan.

“We talk about being aggressive all the time,” said Anderton. “It lived up to our own philosophy of being aggressive.”

Ben Mostosky closed out the game for Pleasant Valley, and only surrendered one hit to the Mounties (9-10, 7-9).

Nate Mostosky got the start for Pleasant Valley and also knocked in three runs, two of which came from the second of the successful double squeezes. The aggressive approach the Bears took to the field Monday resulted in some late insurance runs, which turned an 8-6 PV lead into a resounding victory.

Three Pleasant Valley players recorded a multi-hit game against Stroudsburg. Dakota Lucas, Jack Smale and Nate Mostosky all had at least two hits for the Bears.

Lucas had a three-RBI day in the win, and made a diving catch late to keep the Mountaineers at bay.

Pleasant Valley finishes the regular season at 12-8, and Anderton talked about taking over the team before Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and district playoffs begin.

“I’ve been doing this a long time; I don’t feel really any different,” Anderton said. “It’s just a matter now of I get to be more responsible for keeping an eye on these guys and making sure they’re doing what they need to do and get on them when I have to. It’s nice. These guys have been working hard all year, and they deserve everything they get, and I’m happy for them.”

ON A ROLL

... The Bears finished the regular season with back-to-back victories against East Stroudsburg North and Stroudsburg. Pleasant Valley swept the regular season series against Stroudsburg. The Bears faced the Mounties on April 27, coming away with a 3-1 victory.

There was a streak of 10 days during the season when Pleasant Valley won five consecutive games. The Bears also won four of the last five games to end the regular season.

NEXT UP ... Pleasant Valley will be going to the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference playoffs and most likely face Parkland as the eighth seed.

SMALL BALL WORKING ... Pleasant Valley bunted several runners over, and two successful double squeezes allowed the Bears to pull away late.

Pleasant Valley 222 200 7 - 15 12 3

Stroudsburg 003 300 0 - 6 6 5

N. Mostosky, B. Mostosky (6) and Walsh; Brancato, Gizzo (2), Craig (5), Knight (7) and Kirby. W - N. Mostosky. L - Brancato.