SCHUYLKILL HAVEN – It was a winner take all contest.

The spoils were going to the winners - and i this case that turned out to be Marian’s fast-rising baseball team.

The Colts were draped in gold thanks to some late-inning offense fireworks, and a yeoman pitching effort from senior Brian Hinkle.

That combination allowed Marian to defeat Pottsville Nativity, 10-2, on Saturday for the District 11 Class 1A baseball championship.

The game was tight until the Colts blew it open in their final at bat. Veteran Marian manager Tony Radocha said in close games its important to stay relaxed and do what you do best.

“We just kept playing, kept manufacturing runs, and doing whatever it took,” said Radocha. “You just have to keep working, keep battling - and God willing, it all works out.”

That it did for the Colts.

Marian (13-9) never seemed to be on the ropes thanks mainly to the way Hinkle (73 strikes) kept the ball in the strike zone using his sneaky fastball, and an effective off-speed pitch that kept the Hilltoppers off balance throughout the day.

“This is such a big moment for our team and me,” Hinkle said as he reflected back on his past four seasons with the Colts. “I’ve been waiting for this since I was a freshman, It feels really good to get it done.”

Hinkle was consistent throughout his stint on the bump, tossing 92 pitches in going the distance. He allowed six hits and walked three. He out-dueled his mound counterpart and one of the Schuylkill League’s best players in Nativity’s Nolan Ferhat.

“Ferhat kept us off balance, but we were able to chip away. We got some runners on, we moved them over and scored some runs,” said Marian’s Tony Radocha - one of the top managers on the circuit.

That was definitely the format through the first three innings as Marian put up a single run in each frame.

In the first, Hinkle hustled his way to first on a dropped third-strike, moved up to second on Chase Petrilyak’s fielder’s choice ground out, and scored on Joey Walko’s single.

There were two outs in the second when shortstop Dylan Zullo drew a free pass, swiped second and rode home on a Hinkle hit.

In the third inning, Walko delivered his second hit, stole second, and advanced to third on a Bobish hit. The Colts went small ball with a picture-perfect safety squeeze by Cole DeFrancesco.

But DeFrancesco’s biggest play was yet to come.

With Marian leading 4-2 in the top of the sixth, Nativity loaded the bases with two out. Cameron Strauss, one of only two seniors in the Nativity lineup, cracked what looked like a sure bases-clearing hit. Somehow, DeFrancesco, who is only a freshman, kept focus, tracked down the ball, and robbed Strauss of a potential gamer.

“I felt like I was going to drop it,” DeFrancesco said describing how he had to extend himself falling toward the left-field line but creating a web gem for the season. “Yes, that gave me an adrenaline boast, definitely.”

“He’s got ice water in his veins for being a freshman,” said Radocha. “He just goes out there day after day and makes plays.”

The excitement and momentum that DeFrancesco’s catch created would carry over to the home sixth when Marian broke open, scoring six runs.

Petrilyak, Gelatko and Hinkle all had hits in the inning. Hinkle had a pair of RBIs, while Gelatko, Walko and DeFrancesco all had one RBI.

“It seemed like we saw every team’s No. 1 pitcher this year,” said Radocha. “From Panther Valley to Shenandoah, to Tri-Valley ... It was a tough road, but it has prepared us.”

MAGIC MAN … When you ask the Marian pitching staff about pitching coach Pete Radocha - father of Tony - and how he gets the staff ready to pitch. They all agree – “He’s magic.”

BOBISH SPLITTER … “He’s been working on his splitter since he’s a sophomore and when his fastball is working and he mixes in the splitter, you get great results.” said Radocha about his winning pitcher.

PLAY MY GAME … Radocha’s philosophy is to have his players relaxed and doing what they do best. Petrilyak summed it up perfectly when he explained how he approaches each at-bat. “I just take a couple of deep breaths and remember that I just want to play my game.”

UP NEXT ... The Colts will now advance to the PIAA State Tournament, where they will face District 1 champion Christopher Dock on Monday, June 5 at a time and site to be announced.

Nativity 000 020 0 - 2 6 0

Marian 111 016 x - 10 14 3

Ferhat, Cooper (6), Smith (6) and S. Grabowski; Hinkle and Walko. W - Hinkle. L - Ferhat.