As Big Boy rumbled through the Panther Valley, the Tamaqua 9-10 Little League All-Stars were the real storyline in these parts.

Faced with a win-or-go-home situation, this group of youngsters found its groove behind the efficient pitching of Lucas Brennan and an explosive offense, rolling past rival Franklin Township 16-2 in four innings to capture the District 18 West Division title and earn a berth in the championship round against East Division champion Stroudsburg.

The newly-crowned West Division champions return to Jim Thorpe on Tuesday for the opener of the best-of-three District 18 championship series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

“We just came out and played outstanding baseball in our last two games,” Tamaqua manager Mike Brennan said.

The Blue Raiders bounced back after dropping the tournament opener to Franklin Township, then defeated the Maroons twice to claim the division title.

“That first game was not our team,” Brennan said. “We knew what we could do, and we did it beating them twice. We played smart, got a great effort from Lucas and took advantage of our opportunities.”

Brennan also credited Franklin Township catcher Nash Cuyler for battling through a demanding stretch.

“He is such an outstanding catcher,” Brennan said. “He pitched against us Tuesday and he struggled. He looked dog tired.”

Tamaqua threatened in the opening inning, leaving Braxton Barrett at third before breaking through in the second.

Lucas Brennan walked and Kaden Fink singled to start the inning before Max Field lined an RBI single to left. Another run scored on a wild pitch, and Gunnar Navratil followed with an RBI single to give the Blue Raiders a 3-0 advantage.

“We waited things out, and they ran into some pitching problems,” Brennan said. “Our team did a really good job of playing heads-up baseball, being smart at the plate and with some great base running.”

The game turned decisively in the third, as Tamaqua sent 14 batters to the plate and erupted for eight runs. Luke Tuckett opened the rally with an RBI single before Hunter Hill followed with a two-run single. Fink added an RBI hit, Mason Keich delivered a two-run single, and Rocco Biasi and Sylis Setlock both drew bases-loaded walks as the Blue Raiders built an 11-0 lead.

Franklin Township also hurt itself with three errors during the inning, helping fuel the outburst.

The rumblings kept going for Tamaqua while Big Boy rested outside Nesquehoning.

The Blue Raiders added five more runs in the fourth. Barrett walked, Tuckett singled and George Pinkey followed with an RBI single. Hill added another run-scoring hit, Keich drew a bases-loaded walk, and Field capped the inning with a two-run single.

Meanwhile, Brennan was in command.

Mixing a sneaky fastball with an occasional curve, he worked efficiently through four innings while his defense turned a pair of double plays behind him.

The first twin killing came in the bottom of the first. Henry Ellex singled before Maverick Kegerise lined to second baseman Kaden Fink, who made the catch and quickly doubled Ellex off first with a throw to Max Field.

The second double play came an inning later. After Nash Cuyler singled, Kaleb Storm lined to Fink, who again made the catch before firing to shortstop Braxton Barrett to double Cuyler off second.

Franklin Township mounted its best threat in the third, putting runners on second and third before Brennan escaped without allowing a run.

The Maroons finally broke through in the fourth. Brody Dronick walked and Mason Cortright singled before an error and Maverick Kegerise’s fielder’s choice produced two runs. Brennan then retired Nash Cuyler on a grounder to first to end the game.

While Big Boy was camped for the night, Tamaqua headed home to celebrate another tournament victory and prepare for next week’s championship series.

OH IT WAS STEAMY... Record-setting temperatures blanketed the area. The game started later than originally scheduled on the recommendation of District 18 commissioner Bob Quinn — a wise move.

DOZEN DELIVERED... Tamaqua pounded out 12 hits. Hunter Hill, Max Field, Luke Tuckett and Kaden Fink each collected two hits. Hill and Field drove in three runs apiece.

LIMITED... Brennan scattered four hits over four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out one. Franklin Township’s hits came from Hudson Parliman, Mason Cortright, Henry Ellex and Nash Cuyler.

Tamaqua 038 5 — 16 12 1

Franklin Twp. 000 2 — 2 4 5

Brennan and Tuckett; Kegerise, Cannon (3), Cortright (4) and Cuyler, Mehmeti (3). W — Brennan. L — Kegerise.