There’s a new kid on the block, and they’re becoming a pest to the top softball teams in the Schuylkill League.

The Division 1 is no longer a two- or three-team show, as Tamaqua has risen from the ashes to become a legitimate contender.

On Thursday, the Blue Raiders were in “grind mode” as they figured out a way to defeat North Schuylkill, who entered the key matchup in first with a 9-1 record.

Tamaqua rallied twice to pull out an impressive 4-3 walk-off victory, its third straight one-run win. Naomi Knitter, who had walked and moved to second on a bunt by Nico Conahan, raced home with the game-winner when Kolbe Robb’s grounder ended up in left field.

Pine Grove now leads the division with a 10-2 mark, while the Spartans dropped to second with a 9-2 mark. The Raiders are now 8-4 and tied with Blue Mountain for third, however Tamaqua has defeated the Eagles twice this season.

Sophomore pitcher Brigid Flynn was solid for North Schuylkill. She had her moments, but didn’t allow an earned run until Addison Krall blasted a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning that allowed the Raiders to tie the score at 3-3.

The blast set the stage for Knitter and Robb to complete the dramatic win.

“I was just focused on putting the ball in play,” said Robb. “The way I played was bothering me. I really wanted to make something happen.”

Tamaqua head coach Tony Zancofsky said his team is finding ways to win lately.

“We did it the same way against Blue Mountain on (Tuesday),” Zancofsky said. “We needed a run in the bottom of the (seventh), and today we got ourselves into the same situation.”

Robb wanted to redeem herself after a throwing error allowed Lindsey Brouse to score, which gave North Schuylkill its only lead of the game in the top of the sixth.

“I don’t know what I was thinking on that throw … it just sailed,” Robb said.

Softball is a team game, though, and her teammates — especially Krall — picked her up.

Krall rejuvenated Robb and the entire Tamaqua team by drilling a first-pitch fastball for a no-doubt-about-it solo homer.

“That was crazy,” said Krall, who on Senior Day couldn’t have picked a better time for a round tripper. “It was inside, yeah, but I usually don’t feel that is my favorite pitch to hit (low inside).”

Earlier in the game, Tamaqua pushed two runs across in the home first as a North Schuylkill error aided the scoring. Conahan singled to lead off and moved all the way to third on a miscue by the Spartans. Ceanna Gormley’s ground out plated Conahan, while Leah Crowley’s squeeze bunt accounted for the second tally.

The game stayed 2-0 until the fifth when North Schuylkill knotted the score on a pair of unearned runs. Olivia Jones singled and ended up on third after a wild pitch and an error. Kayla Meskuna bunted in a run, while an error brought in the tying run.

An inning later, the Spartans went ahead but that was short-lived thanks to Krall’s blast.

The Raiders, who ended North Schuylkill’s nine-game winning streak, then won in the seventh against one of the toughest pitchers in the league. Flynn threw 76 pitches, 63 for strikes.

“It was a tough way to lose, but we still have our (fate) in our own hands,” said North Schuylkill mentor Jack Flynn. “We have the tiebreaker with Pine Grove. We just have to take care of our business and go from there.”

DOWN TO WIRE … Robb is a gamer, as are several of her teammates. Right now, they’re finding ways to get wins.

IN THE CIRCLE … Flynn is in control, consistently hitting the strike zone. She only threw 13 balls outside the zone in six-plus innings. Peyton Faust, Tamaqua’s starter, was steady most of the afternoon, while Knitter polished things off for the victory. Before departing, Faust threw 71 pitches, 46 for strikes. Knitter tossed two scoreless frames, including 20 of 28 pitches for strikes. The Raiders truly have a luxury with two excellent pitchers.

WEB GEMS … Kudos to Tamaqua first baseman Gormley and right fielder Megan Linkhorst for their defensive plays. North Schuylkill right fielder Monahan also turned in a web gem.

North Schuylkill 000 021 0 - 3 4 2

Tamaqua 200 001 1 - 4 6 5

Flynn and Brouse; Faust, Knitter (6) and Krall. W - Knitter. L - Flynn. HR: Tamaqua - Krall (6th, none on).

Records: North Schuylkill (12-3; 9-2 SL); Tamaqua (11-6; 8-4 SL).