PINE GROVE - Panther Valley baseball coach Rich Evanko may have said it best about Tuesday’s Schuylkill League semifinal game against Blue Mountain.

“You’re going to have a lot of walks in these conditions, because the game shouldn’t have been played in the first place,” offered Evanko.

Evanko’s comments came after the Eagles posted a 4-2 victory over the Panthers at Pine Grove’s Stump Stadium in a contest that was a pitching duel despite the miserable conditions.

A misty rain began at the start of the game and gradually intensified. The mound was slippery and wet. The baselines were as slick as a backyard water slide.

Pitchers from both teams had to stop periodically to clean their cleats. Even the spiked, cleat-cleaner mat at the mound became caked with mud.

Constantly the pitchers asked for new balls because they were either wet, muddy or wet and muddy.

Although the pitchers issued walks, it was still an impressive performance by the two starters.

Tyler Black got the nod for PV. In his five innings of work, he finished with seven strikeouts. He didn’t give up a base hit until the fifth inning when Colton Leibold lined a two-run single up the middle.

It was the only hit Black gave up in the contest. He was relieved in the sixth - due to his pitch count - by sophomore Danny Wehr. Wehr also only gave up just one hit.

The Eagles’ Aidan Grace, a junior, tossed 6 2/3 innings and gave up just three hits.

Evanko was disgruntled, not about the outcome of the game, but about the playing conditions.

“It was horrible weather, and I don’t think it was fair the way they handled the field in my opinion,” he said.

“It probably wouldn’t have changed anything,” he said, but added that there were “too many delays.”

There were delays for applying field dry, and there were stoppages to let pitchers and runners clean their cleats of muck.

He also didn’t feel the field dry was applied at the right times.

“You don’t want injuries, but you want everybody to have a fair opportunity,” he said.

The score was tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the sixth. Walks with the bases loaded gave Blue Mountain a two-run lead and eventually the win.

Even winning coach Jarrod Kramer felt the weather was responsible for his team’s victory.

“It was a tough day,” he said. “It’s a shame it came down to weather conditions in the last inning. It’s a tough way for them to lose.

“The Black kid did a heck of a job. He kept us off balance and threw strikes. Both pitchers did a great job today.”

Regarding the weather conditions, he said, “My hands were slimy and greasy (from the conditions). It’s amazing they could get the job done.”

PV’s first run came in the fourth when Brody Breiner lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, which scored Drew Kokinda from third base.

In the sixth, Breiner had another RBI, this time belting a single which scored senior Chase Weaver.

SECOND GAME POSTPONED ... The PV-Blue Mountain game was the first of a scheduled doubleheader. The second game, Tamaqua versus Schuylkill Haven, was called minutes before it was about to begin. It will be played today at North Schuylkill and there will be no admission charged.

GREAT DEFENSE BY PV ... Panther Valley’s defense graded an A-plus despite the conditions. There were spectacular, diving plays by shortstop Kokinda and third baseman Chase Krynock, who threw out runners at first. Left fielder Brennan Kunkle made a running, shoelace catch on a fly to end the first inning with the bases loaded. A heads-up play by Hayden Goida and Stephen Hood resulted in a crucial double play. Despite the weather issues, there was just one error.

WHAT’S NEXT ... Blue Mountain, now 18-3, will face the winner of the Tamaqua-Schuylkill Haven game for the league championship. Panther Valley, now 14-7, will most likely return to action Tuesday in the district playoffs at Pine Grove. PV is now 14-7.

Panther Vy. 000 101 0 - 2 3 1

Blue Mtn. 000 022 x - 4 2 0

Black, Wehr (6) and Goida; Grace, Jacobson (7) and Gustitus. W - Grace. L - Wehr.

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