Schuylkill League Baseball Playoffs Preview Capsules
Tamaqua's baseball team gathers around head coach Jeff Reading before a Schuylkill League Division I game at Robert Wetzel Field at North Schuylkill (Photo by Eli Doyle).
Schuylkill League Baseball Playoffs
Preview Capsules
Schedule
*This would be a lot more fun to breakdown with music. Enjoy Gimme Three Steps by Lynard Skynyrd below as you prepare for the Schuylkill League baseball playoffs.*
All games at Pine Grove’s Walter Stump Stadium
Monday, May 12
Quarterfinals
Division I No. 3 Blue Mountain (12-7) vs. Division II No. 2 Shenandoah Valley (14-6), 4:30 p.m. (WPPA 1360 AM/A-106 105.9 FM broadcast: Eli Doyle on play by play, Del Hauck on color)
Division I No. 2 Tri-Valley (15-5) vs. Division II No. 3 Minersville (12-8), 7 p.m. (WPPA 1360 AM/A-106 105.9 FM broadcast: Chaz Hepler on play by play, Del Hauck on color)
Tuesday, May 13
Semifinals
TV/Min winner vs. Division I champion Tamaqua (18-1), 4:30 p.m.
BM/SV winner vs. Division II champion Schuylkill Haven (17-3), 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 15
Championship
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $6 for adults, $3 for students No Senior Citizen discount. Cash at the gate.
About Blue Mountain (12-7)
Head coach: Jarrod Kramer, 3rd season (48-19)
How they got here: No. 3 seed from Division I with 8-4 league record; split with Tri-Valley, but has higher District 11 power rating.
Key players: P-OF Aidan Grace, sr. (.309, 4 2B, 11 RBIs; pitching — 4-3, 2.28 ERA, 40 IP, 42 K); 2B Brady Strause, soph. (.367, 5 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBIs); C Riley Sebastian, fr. (.291, 4 2B, 13 RBIs); P-3b Evan Setlock, jr. (.259, 2 2Bs, 8 RBIs; pitching — (5-2, 2.26 ERA, 43.1 IP, 39 K); OF Aiden Finn, jr. (.308, 3 SAC, 7 SB)
Schuylkill League history (since 2009): Making 10th appearance in program history. Beat Panther Valley 4-2 in last year’s semifinals, lost to Tamaqua 6-0 in the championship. League champion in 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2010.
Fast facts: The Eagles have a balanced roster with a mix of experienced seniors and promising underclassmen. … Pitching depth has been a strength, with Grace and Setlock anchoring the rotation. … Blue Mountain aims to leverage its postseason experience and shutdown pitching to make swing at league gold.
About Shenandoah Valley (14-6)
Head coach: Frank McCole, 1st season (14-6)
How they got here: No. 2 seed from Division II with 10-4 league record
Key players: P-SS Brayden Maksimik, sr. (.467, 10 2bs, 16 RBIs, 15 SB; pitching — 5-1, 1.91 ERA, 44 IP, 53 K); INF-P Landon Monaghan, sr. (.424, 4 2b, 14 RBIs; pitching — 2-2, 2.59 ERA, 24.1 IP, 23 K); C-INF Haden Kechula, jr. (.341, 8 RBIs), 1B-P Chase McCole, jr. (.338, 9 2B, 23 RBIs; pitching — 2-2, 2.10 ERA, 30 IP, 26 K); OF Johnny Burke, sr. (.300, 4 2B, 24 RBIs, 11 SB)
Schuylkill League history (since 2009): First-ever Schuylkill League playoffs appearance for Shenandoah Valley.
Fast facts: The Blue Devils are enjoying a breakout season under first-year head coach Frank McCole. Maksimik has been a dual threat in every aspect of the game, excelling at the plate, defensively and on the mound. Shenandoah Valley’s aggressive baserunning has put pressure on opposing defenses throughout the season.
About Tri-Valley (15-5)
Head coach: Brent Smith, 3rd season (56-13)
How they got here: No. 2 seed from Division I with 8-4 league record; split with Blue Mountain, but has lower District 11 power rating
Key players: INF Jason Stewart, jr. (.500, 2 HR, 2 3B, 6 2B, 18 RBIs, 17 SB); P-INF Braeden Doyle, jr. (.360, 1 HR, 1 3B, 7 2B, 25 RBIs; pitching — 6-0, 1.07 ERA, 46 IP, 41 K); OF Gavin Scheib, jr. (.327, 2 2B, 7 RBIs); 1B-P Owen Miller, jr. (.273, 4 2B, 11 RBIs, 12 SB; pitching — 2-3, 3.65 ERA, 38.1, 34 K); OF Trey Porter, soph. (.267, 5 2B, 10 RBIs)
Schuylkill League history (since 2009): Making fourth playoff appearance. Last championship appearance was in 2014, falling 5-1 to Pottsville. Dawgs are seeking their first league title.
Fast facts: The Dawgs are known for their aggressive baserunning and solid defense. Doyle has been dominant on the mound, providing stability to the pitching staff. Tri-Valley aims to capitalize on its postseason experience to make a championship run.
About Minersville (12-8)
Head coach: Shane Spotts, 4th season (46-41)
How they got here: No. 3 seed from Division II with 9-5 league record
Key players: P-CF-1B Logan Hutsko, sr. (.467, 2 3B, 8 2B, 16 RBIs; pitching — 5-1, 1.48 ERA, 42.2 IP, 44 K), 2B Easton Schultz, sr. (.318, 3 2B, 5 RBIs, 11 SB), 1B-P Nolan Plesnarski, jr. (.297, 3 2B, 24 RBIs; pitching — 5-2, 2.72, 28.1 IP, 32 K); 3B Owen Fortna, sr. (.291, 3 2B, 10 RBIs); C A.J. Halford, sr. (.218, 3 2B, 14 RBIs)
Schuylkill League history (since 2009): Making third playoff appearance. Minersville’s last appearances were back-to-back in 2013 and 2014. They seek their first league title.
Fast facts: The Battlin’ Miners secured their playoff spot with a crucial win over Williams Valley. Hutsko has been a standout performer, contributing both offensively and on the mound. Minersville’s balanced lineup complements a fundamental defense, while Hutsko and Plesnarski anchor the pitching and makes them a formidable opponent.
About Schuylkill Haven (17-3)
Head coach: Scott Buffington, 47th season (734-286)
How they got here: No. 1 seed from Division II with 14-0 league record
Key players: P-3B Hunter Correll, sr. (.510, 4 HR, 1 3B, 5 2B, 37 RBIs, 16 SB; pitching — 6-0, 3.41 ERA, 37 IP, 40 K); UTIL Chase Yoder, fr. (.439, 8 2B, 28 RBIs, 15 SB); INF-P Alan Evans, soph. (.437, 4 2B, 2 3B, 25 SB; pitching — 5-0, 2.41, 32 IP, 32 K); 1B Gavin Wade, sr. (.353, 4 2B, 16 RBIs, 11 SB), C Brayden Fasnacht, sr. (.333, 3 2B, 19 RBIs)
Schuylkill League history (since 2009): Making ninth playoff appearance. Schuylkill Haven fell to eventual champion Tamaqua 5-2 in the semifinals. Haven captured its lone league crown after beating Blue Mountain 9-3 in 2021, avenging championship losses to the Eagles in both 2017 and 2018.
Fast facts: The Hurricanes completed an undefeated league season, showcasing dominance in Division II. A recent injury will keep the Canes without senior Talan Spittler (P-INF) for the foreseeable future. Coach Buffington’s extensive experience provides invaluable leadership in big games. Schuylkill Haven’s potent offense and solid pitching make the Hurricanes a top contender.
About Tamaqua (18-1)
Head coach: Jeff Reading, 24th season (289-210)
How they got here: No. 1 seed from Division I with 11-1 league record
Key players: P-CF Mason Ligenza, sr. (.447, 10 HR, 4 2B, 15 RBIs, 20 SB; pitching — 5-1, 0.17 ERA, 41.2 IP, 77 K); SS-P Cooper Ansbach, sr. (.396, 2 HR, 1 3B, 3 2B, 17 RBIs, 12 SB; pitching — 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 16.2 IP, 29 K); C Luke Kane, sr. (.386, 5 2B, 17 RBIs, 16 SB); LF Logan Morgan (.360, 2 2B, 11 RBIs); P-RF Jake Yenser, soph. (.200, 2 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBIs; pitching — 5-0, 0.82 ERA, 25.2 IP, 33 K)
