H.S. BASEBALL: Tri-Valley and Blue Mountain seek Schuylkill League Championship title

Tri-Valley and Blue Mountain will meet for the third time this season when they face off in the Schuylkill League Championship at Pine Grove’s Walter Stump Stadium on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Tri-Valley (17-4) is in the league championship for the second straight year after falling to Tamaqua last season.

“It’d be huge for all the work and determination these seniors have put in, so to come away with that would be awesome,” Tri-Valley coach Brent Smith said.

The Bulldogs are currently riding a nine-game winning streak and swept Blue Mountain (18-4) during the regular season.

“Our guys don’t get too up or too down and they stay even-keeled,” Blue Mountain coach Jarrod Kramer said. “It’s tough to beat a good team three times. It’ll be fun and we’ll give it our best shot.”

Tri-Valley and Blue Mountain closed the regular season as the top two teams in Division I. The Bulldogs were crowned the division champions with a 10-2 league record.

“It gives us a lot of momentum going to districts as one of the smaller schools in Division I, and it gives us the mindset we can compete with anyone,” Schley said.

How they got there

Powered by an eight-run first inning, Tri-Valley defeated Williams Valley 14-5 in the league semifinals on Monday afternoon. Owen Miller and Peyton Schley each drove in three runs, and Schley got the win on the mound, pitching five innings and allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts.

“It was key to get on top early for the momentum, and toward the end we started stringing hits together and getting back to it at the plate,” Schley said. “It’s a big part of the lineup for guys to get on at the bottom, and we can get hit in and run the bases.”

Riley Sebastian led Blue Mountain on the mound in the win, going six innings and allowing just three runs and striking out 11 in the 12-3 win over Marian Catholic. Sonny Amato and Evan Setlock each had four hits to lead the Eagles lineup.

“Being behind the plate helps a lot and it works when I’m pitching to know where to locate my pitches,” Sebastian said. “I just kept going out there and dealing and these guys have my back all the time at the plate.”

Regular season series

Tri-Valley defeated Blue Mountain 7-1 on March 31 as Gavin Klock blasted a three-run home run in the sixth inning and Braeden Doyle got the win on the mound, throwing six strong innings.

The second time the two teams faced off resulted in a 6-5 win for the Bulldogs.

In a back-and forth-game, Tri-Valley scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to break a 4-4 tie, and ultimately held on for the win.

The matchup

Both teams bring stellar pitching backed by efficient offense.