You can call this one winner-take-all.

The final regular-season game was a must-win for both the Jim Thorpe and Lehighton baseball teams.

The outcome pushed the winner toward a possible Colonial League playoff spot and secured a higher seed in the District 11 4A tournament.

That distinction belonged to Jim Thorpe, which delivered in grand style behind a nifty shutout performance by Brody Schrantz in a 4-0 victory.

Schrantz was dealing all afternoon on the mound, and when he needed help, his defense delivered — especially around the horn. The Olympians got strong play from third baseman Michael Antignani, shortstop Cole Lazorick, second baseman Kaden Hess, and first baseman Tyler Hoherchak.

“I really got some great plays from those guys,” Schrantz said.

It was a game-changer that coach Joe Marykwas appreciated.

“We made some outstanding plays in the field, we stuck with the ground balls, we played smart and (Schrantz) was so outstanding.”

The only time the right-handed junior ran into trouble came in the final inning.

“Yeah, I was getting tired,” he calmly said. “My fastball and curve were really working and my catcher Zack (Murphy) called a great game.”

It also helped that the offense clicked at the right time. Nate Frantz led the way with a single and a triple, driving in two key runs early.

“I felt good I was seeing the ball,” he said.

The baseball axiom “see the ball, hit the ball” came to life in the bottom of the second inning. With two runners on, Frantz uncorked a booming triple, scoring Murphy, who had walked, and Hoherchak, who was hit by a pitch.

“That was such a big hit for us, it gave us a lot of confidence,” Marykwas said. “That was huge from the bottom of the order, he’s been grinding all year. He felt he should be hitting better, but he works hard every day at practice.”

Even hitting in the nine spot, Frantz was key to the outcome.

Lehighton came up empty in its first two at-bats, despite a leadoff walk to Cash White and a single by Logan Bellis. Schrantz picked off White at second and got Jayse Lawrence to ground out to short. The Indians also left runners on in the second and third innings.

“We had chances, but we just didn’t get a key hit,” Lehighton manager J.C. Dietz said. “The way (Schrantz) was pitching, you can’t let runners (die) out there. But give him a lot of credit, the kid pitched a heck of a ball game.”

Lehighton starter Chase Llewellyn didn’t get much run support. He allowed six hits and, despite a tricky curveball, battled before leaving in the sixth after 77 pitches.

“I thought he did a fantastic job for us,” Dietz said. “They got some timely hitting, otherwise (Chase) did a great job.”

The Olympians added two more runs in the third with a two-out rally. Antignani doubled to left, Hess walked, and Murphy drove in a run with a single. Hoherchak added an RBI hit to give Schrantz a four-run cushion.

“Getting runs early is always a key,” Marykwas said, “and (then) they start pressing late, which makes it a little bit harder. And we played clean today defensively, and we didn’t walk many.”

Schrantz issued two early walks, and his final batter came after walking Aiden Solt.

“You could tell he was starting to (labor) out there and he was at (106) pitches, but anytime you get a pitcher to the (seventh) you know he’s done his job,” Marykwas said.

Lazorick moved from shortstop to the mound and finished the game for the save.

As for the outcome: “This guaranteed us in districts and we’re hosting right now,” Marykwas said.

OUT OF THE GATE ... Jim Thorpe jumped ahead on Frantz’s two-run double early, putting the Indians in chase mode.

LEATHER MAKERS ... Thorpe shortstop Lazorick made several standout plays. On two balls that took tricky hops at the edge of the grass, he stayed down and made them look routine.

YOUTH SERVING ... Dietz was impressed with how his team bounced back after an 0-3 start. “You know we’re very young, and sometimes you go through these ups and downs. I’m so proud of the guys, we’re starting five sophomores and we’re going to the district playoffs.”

THEY HIT TOO ... Lehighton’s four hits included two by Bellis and one each from Lawrence and Llewellyn.

Lehighton 000 000 0 - 0 4 0

Jim Thorpe 022 000 x - 4 6 0

Llewellyn and Haydt (6) and Goida; Schrantz, Lazorick and Murphy. W - Schrantz. L - Llewellyn.

Records: Lehighton (9-11; 8-8); Jim Thorpe (10-10; 8-8).