FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – The North Schuylkill baseball team isn’t ready to concede the season just yet.

Under the guidance of manager Nick Brayford, the traditionally strong program is showcasing its young talent.

The Spartans have found a silver lining as the second half of the season unfolds. On Thursday, under warm sunshine, North Schuylkill unleashed a 13-hit offensive to secure a 9-1 victory over rival Panther Valley, highlighted by freshman pitcher Chase Slotcavage’s standout performance.

Slotcavage allowed a first-inning run on two hits, but then stifled the Panthers’ offense, yielding just two more hits in the seventh inning. His defense supported him with two double plays, including a game-ending shortstop-to-second-to-first sequence.

“The only time I felt nervous this season was my first game pitching,” Slotcavage said.

On Thursday, he showed no signs of nerves, striking out seven batters and issuing only one walk. He threw 81 pitches, 60 of them for strikes.

“For a freshman, he’s beyond his years,” Brayford said. “Honestly, he doesn’t get bothered by stuff. And a freshman catcher, Kole Rollenhagen — those two kids have a lot of promise.”

Panther Valley started strong.

Chase Krynock walked, moved to third on a bunt single by Connor Penberth, and scored on a ground out by Danny Wehr. However, the Panthers couldn’t maintain that momentum.

“We didn’t keep that advantage long,” Panther Valley head coach Rich Evanko said. “We just sometimes let things get away, and then it snowballs, and we get down on ourselves.”

While this particular Schuylkill League Division 1 game may not significantly impact the postseason league playoff chase, it provides North Schuylkill with a lifeline for a potential District 11 playoff berth.

Landen Smith had his best day in a Spartan uniform, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs.

“I really felt comfortable,” Smith said. “I was struggling hitting, but today hopefully I got out of the slump.”

Brayford praised his center fielder’s performance.

“We DH’d him the last game,” Brayford said. “He could have gone in the tank, and he didn’t. Instead, he came today ready to hit. He probably played his best defensive game at Blue Mountain. That shows he’s got a team-first attitude.”

North Schuylkill tied the game using a walk by Kolton Joyce, and an RBI double from Kevin Jones. Panther Valley pitcher Brady Jones recorded a strikeout for the second out, but the Spartans continued their rally.

Smith blasted the first of his two doubles for an RBI, followed by run-scoring singles from Mark Monahan and Aaron Brayford, extending the lead to 5-1.

The Spartans added three more runs in the second inning, all with two outs. Max Gallagher singled, Jones was hit by a pitch, and Hunter Rogers walked to load the bases. Monahan drove in two runs with a hit, and Smith added another RBI double.

“Those two innings were a huge key for us,” Brayford said. “We’re capable of scoring runs, and we’ve had some tough luck losses, but overall, we do have a chance to maybe make the District 11 playoffs.”

Slotcavage contributed offensively with an RBI single, and Rogers delivered a significant blow, hitting a 1-0 pitch over the 350-foot sign in center field.

TOUGH GO … Panther Valley’s offensive struggles continue this season. Coach Evanko has tried several combinations, but the team has yet to find consistent success.

JUST SINGLES … Panther Valley’s hits came from Cameron Caffery, Jones, Penberth and Krynock.

Panther Vy. 100 000 0 - 1 4 2

N. Schuylkill 531 000 x - 9 13 1

Jones, Krynock (4) and Breiner; Slotcavage and Rollenhagen. W - Slotcavage. L - Jones.

Records: Panther Valley (3-8; 1-7); North Schuylkill (5-8; 3-6).