Dominating and overpowering might be words that fall short in describing Mason Ligenza’s pitching performance on Wednesday in Tamaqua’s 5-1 win over Marian.

Just how good was this junior southpaw who has already committed to play baseball at Division 1 Pitt?

After Colts’ leadoff hitter Brian Hinkle worked out a 10-pitch walk to open the game, Ligenza struck out 14 of the next 16 batters he faced - without allowing a hit - before being removed after five innings.

The only contact that found Marian bats came on Brandon Klitsch’s fly ball to right field in the third inning, and Hinkle’s grounder that was misplayed for an error in the same inning.

Ligenza’s rising fastball had the Colts’ hitters swinging under the pitch while his curve ball dipped below their bats. Ligenza’s command of the strike zone was superb as after walking Hinkle, he never went to a three-ball count on any of the next 15 Marian hitters he faced.

“I was just on my game,” he said after reaching a new career high in strikeouts. “I got most of my fastballs by them and my curve kept them off balance ... I mixed in a couple of changeups, too.”

When asked if the brutally cold weather was the main reason for taking him off the mound, Raiders’ coach, Jeff Reading said, “Absolutely. The plan was for Mason to throw four innings, but he asked to go out for one more.” He hadn’t surpassed his pitch count so we let him go through five.”

Tamaqua gave Ligenza an early lead when Luke Kane belted a long home run over the center field fence in the bottom of the first inning.

With Marian’s Hinkle matching Ligenza’s goose eggs over the next several innings, Tamaqua maintained a slim 1-0 lead until getting some insurance runs without the benefit of a hit in the fifth.

With one out in the frame, both Jake Yenser and Ligenza were hit by pitches. A wild pitch moved the runners up before an infield error allowed them to score and increase the lead to 3-0.

The Colts (1-2) would get one run back in the top of the sixth. With one out, Hinkle singled off the pitcher’s leg. A stolen base, an infield error, and an RBI force out by Michael Gelatko got Marian on the board.

Tamaqua answered with two more runs in the sixth - once again without the benefit of a hit. A hit batter, a couple of walks and several wild pitches increased the advantage to 5-1.

“We’re very young. We started three freshmen today and we battled against a team that is much better than the ones we have faced so far,” said Marian coach Tony Radocha. “We weren’t hitting, so we tried to get into scoring position with some small ball. We’re going to keep that in our game plan going forward.

“Experience is the best teacher, so we will grow from this game.”

Reading explained that Ligenza set the tone for his team to win its opening game.

“With Mason’s pitching, that certainly helped our players build confidence as the game went on,” he said. “We have five returning starters, so we’re counting on them to lead the way. Our newcomers did well by putting the ball in play and when you do that, good things can happen.”

HARD LUCK HINKLE … Ligenza’s gem overshadowed Hinkle’s excellent performance on the bump for Marian. The Colt’s senior hurler allowed just one run on three hits. He walked none and struck out six in his four innings of work.

ON THE BLACK … Of Ligenza’s 14 strikeouts, five were called strikes as he painted the corners with his full repertoire of pitches.

WEATHER OR NOT … The game experienced four types of weather. Blue skies and sun at the first pitch turned into a drizzling rain in the second inning, so much that coaches had to spread a drying element on the field to soak up puddles. Snow flurries arrived in the fourth, before the game ended with a stiff wind making it seem even colder than the sub-40 degree temperature.

Marian 000 001 0 - 1 3 2

Tamaqua 100 022 X - 5 4 1

Hinkle, Gelatko (5) and Segedy. Ligenza, Steigerwalt (6) and Kane. W -Ligenza. L - Hinkle. HR: Tamaqua – Kane (1st, none on)