Strong pitching, clutch hitting, and two game-changing defensive plays led Pleasant Valley to a 4-2 EPC win over East Stroudsburg South Thursday afternoon.

PV’s Ty Borger locked up in a pitching duel with South’s Aaron Smith.

Borger did not allow a base hit until Greyson Fuller singled to left field with one out in the visitor’s fifth inning.

Smith didn’t allow a hit until the Bears’ Sam Smale lined a two-out, bases loaded knock through the hole between second and third in the fourth, driving in both Gavin Bates and Jacob George who had each walked ahead of Smale’s clutch hit.

With a slim 2-0 lead into the top of the fifth, Bates made the defensive play of the game from his position at first base. With a runner on first and one out, South’s Vincent Iracane smacked a laser beam one-hopper toward Bates, who snapped up the short hop, stepped on first and fired to Smale for the tag — a double play to end the inning with the Bears still ahead by two runs.

Through five innings, Borger allowed no runs and one hit; walked only one and struck out five.

“Ty is a fierce competitor,” said PV coach Joe Anderton. “He’s a hard nose, hard working pitcher. His breaking ball is released from the same arm slot as his fastball, which makes him really tough to hit.”

The Cavaliers were able to touch up Borger for a run in the top of the sixth inning. Connor Cunningham led off with a single to left. Anthony Almonte bunted him to second base, and Almonte then advanced to third on a ground out before Jacob Markowski reached on an infield hit to deep short that plated Almonte.

Bears catcher Chase Borger then threw out Markowski trying to steal second to end the inning, another key defensive play for the winners.

Nursing a 2-1 lead into the home sixth, the Bears added two insurance runs. Goff led off with a base hit to left and stole second. George smacked a ground-rule double to left center, scoring Goff. After George stole third, Jake Loch lifted a foul pop fly off the third-base line that was caught by a tumbling Aiden Cruz. George alertly tagged and scored.

East Stroudsburg South made a valiant effort to tie the game in the top of the seventh. Alex Perez induced a full count walk. After a flyout, Borger reached his pitch count limit and was relieved by Smale. With a three-two count, Cruz lifted a pop fly toward short right field that fell in for a hit. Fuller was then hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Smale struck out the next hitter, but pinch runner Orion Tucker scored on an infield error to make the score 4-2. With the bases still loaded and the tying run at second base, Smale ended the game with an infield pop fly caught by Bates.

Regarding Smale’s clutch two-out, two RBI fourth-inning single, Anderton was not surprised.

“When the game is on the line, Sam’s the guy we like to have up,” he said. “He’s a bulldog at the plate. The fire never gets too hot for him.”

Anderton is hoping that this win leads his Bears toward a productive second half of the season.

“We lost to Parkland last week by a run, a game we were leading by two runs going into the last inning. This win is progress. We played well in every aspect. Pitching, clutch hitting, good base running and key defensive plays. (We’re) putting it together, and if we do the little things right, we hope to get on a roll.”

HELP FROM THE BACK END ... Although the Bears’ first four batters were held hitless, they received three hits and four walks by Goff, George, Loch and Smale batting fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth in the lineup, respectively.

MAKING HITS COUNT ... The Bears scored four runs on three hits. They did draw six walks and stole three bases which aided their win.

UP NEXT ... The Bears host Freedom at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and then welcome Bethlehem Catholic for a 4 p.m. game on Monday.

ES South 000 001 1 - 2 4 0

Pleasant Valley 000 202 x - 4 3 1

Smith, Iracane (6) and Markowski; T. Borger, Smale (7) and C. Borger. W- T. Borger. L- Smith.

Records: ES South (4-6); PV (4-7).