H.S. BASEBALL: Evans and McCole among the region’s best

A pair of local pitchers are putting the coal region on notice this spring.

Schuylkill Haven’s Alan Evans and Shenandoah Valley’s Chase McCole have helped position their teams at the top of the Schuylkill League Division II standings.

When the two teams faced off last week, the Hurricanes won 14-2 behind a strong outing from Evans.

He allowed just three hits, struck out six batters and walked none, pitching all five innings in the mercy-rule victory.

“My deepest love is baseball and when I pound the zone, good things happen,” Evans said. “When I pound the zone with all three pitches it’s big because when you can get all three working it’s a lot harder to hit a guy instead of one pitch working.”

McCole also appeared in the game, pitching one inning of relief.

The two have played on the same field many times throughout their careers, not only as opponents, but also as teammates.

“I’ve played travel ball with a lot of these guys, and Alan I’ve played with the last two years,” McCole said. “Most of the people in this league I’m friends with and it’s fun competing with your friends.”

Evans has helped the Hurricanes to an 8-6 record so far this season with several dominant performances on the mound.

Earlier this season, he led Schuylkill Haven to a 4-2 win over Nativity BVM in which allowed just one run and struck out seven in 5.2 innings.

He has emerged as Haven’s ace, a role that he has embraced.

“I’ve known that this year with two years of varsity baseball under my belt, I had to be a leader on the team, and I just want to take on that leadership role,” Evans said.

McCole has been just as dominant for the Blue Devils — who enter the last full week of April at 8-4 — with a 2-1 record and a 3.08 ERA in seven appearances.

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Shenandoah Valley’s Chase McCole (11) fires a pitch game at Schuylkill Haven’s Scott Buffington Field on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (FILE)

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Schuylkill Haven’s Alan Evans (28) pitches during a game against Nativity BVM on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (FILE)

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Shenandoah Valley’s Chase McCole (11) fires a pitch game at Schuylkill Haven’s Scott Buffington Field on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (FILE)

McCole began this season on a high note when he held Minersville scoreless and struck out six batters in five innings of relief during a 6-4 comeback win to open the Rothermel Tournament.

During a four-game winning streak earlier this month, McCole struck out four and picked up the save in a 5-3 win over Minersville before pitching a complete game shutout against Nativity BVM two days later. In that 1-0 win, he allowed only two hits and two walks, while tallying 11 strikeouts.

“I love pitching and being competitive, and I get fired up on the mound sometimes,” he said. “I love pitching in close games and we like to win as a family.”