Tri-Valley's Peyton Schley swings at pitch during the annual Russ Rothermel Tournament at Minersville's Del Hauck Field (Photo by Kelly Wiley).

The 2025 Schuylkill League baseball season is set to begin Tuesday with a new-look Division I that features a competitive lineup of teams.

The departure of Lehighton and Jim Thorpe to the Colonial League caused the Schuylkill League to shift from three divisions to two. Tri-Valley and Panther Valley make the jump to the seven-team Division I, joining Blue Mountain, Pine Grove, Pottsville, North Schuylkill and Tamaqua.

Coach Jeff Reading and the Blue Raiders of Tamaqua enter the season with lofty expectations, largely due to the return of senior left-handed pitcher and outfielder Mason Ligenza. Standing at 6-foot-5, Ligenza has committed to play at the University of Pittsburgh. A season ago, Tamaqua took home the Schuylkill League title after making the league playoffs as the Division I wild card.

“I talk about complacency to them, we all do,” Reading said about his message to the Blue Raiders. “Come game time, the old saying is that you play like you practice. Don’t take things for granted, and it’s one day at a time. We can say, ‘Hey, today we want to focus on getting better,’ and ‘Get better today to be better for tomorrow,’ and so forth. So when game days come, we just want to do things the right way so that we have a better score than the other team when 21 outs is up.”

In the 2024 season, Ligenza delivered an outstanding two-way performance, hitting .493 at the plate and achieving a 6-2 record with a 0.96 ERA on the mound. His contributions were pivotal in leading Tamaqua to a 15-8 regular-season record and the program’s first Schuylkill League title since 2013. (​T102 Sports Now)

Reflecting on his journey, Ligenza acknowledged the support of his family, coaches, and teammates, stating on his pinned post on X, “I want to thank God, my family, coaches, and teammates for always pushing me.” ​X (formerly Twitter)

And Ligenza’s journey isn’t stopping anytime soon. As Tamaqua opened the season with non-league wins over Marian and Schuylkill Valley, many fans noticed some out-of-the-ordinary onlookers in attendance. Let’s just say, the lefty from the land of running water has gotten looks from more than just Pitt’s scouts.

Ligenza is a talented young man, but he is also a piece of the large puzzle that we know as Schuylkill League baseball. Every year people can make up their minds about early favorites, but the fact is that you still have to play the games. And you never know how one pitch will affect a season, game or performance.

The 2024 season saw notable performances from other Division I teams as well. Blue Mountain dominated Division I with a perfect 12-0 league record last year and reached the league title game before falling to Tamaqua. The Eagles have graduation holes to fill and will rely on a mix of talent across all high school grade levels to fill those voids.

North Schuylkill, a District 11 Class 4A runner-up to Bethlehem Catholic last season, consistently puts out quality clubs and will look to make the fields and challenge in the Schuylkill League and District 11 playoffs.

As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on the matchups between these competitive teams. The addition of Tri-Valley to Division I adds a new layer of excitement, especially considering the Dawgs’ run to the PIAA Class AA championship game last season.

Panther Valley also makes the jump to Division I after recent success in Division III. The Panthers finished the league season with a record of 11-2 and took the crown in Division III before falling to Blue Mountain in the league semifinals. Fans can anticipate thrilling games as these teams vie for the top spot in the Schuylkill League.​

“I’m hoping that a little change in opponents will help us focus more on the game and help push our players to the next level,” Tri-Valley coach Brent Smith said.

The Dawgs host North Schuylkill at Tri-Valley High School on Tuesday to kick off the league season in Division I. Also Tuesday, Panther Valley will travel to Blue Mountain, while Pottsville hits the road to take on Tamaqua. Pine Grove hosts the Blue Raiders on Thursday in the Cardinals’ first league matchup.

Schuylkill League Division I Capsules

Blue Mountain

Coach: Jarrod Kramer

Roster: Wyatt Barnes (sr., OF), Dean Faust (sr., 1B), Aidan Grace (sr., P, 1B, OF), Matt Grasso (sr., INF, P), David Cordier (jr., 3B, OF), Aiden Finn (jr., OF, P), Josh Hoover (jr., P, OF), Connor Huben (jr., 3B), Evan Setlock (jr., INF, P), Brady Strause (jr., INF, P, C), Ryan Clemas (soph., 1B, P), Francesco Russo (soph., INF, OF, P), Riley Sebastian (fr., C)

North Schuylkill

Coach: Nick Brayford

Roster: Dylan Cairo (soph., OF), Aiden Oliveri (jr., OF, P), Cole Meskunas (fr., OF, P), Joseph Groody (soph., INF, P), Mark Monahan (soph., C, P), Max Gallagher (jr., INF, P), Aaron Brayford (jr., INF), Carson Wetzel (jr., OF), Chase Slotcavage (fr., INF, P), Landen Smith (jr., OF), Kolten Joyce (sr., INF, P), Seth Hubler (soph., OF), Stephen Minahan (soph., OF, P), Hunter Rogers (jr., INF, P), Kole Rollenhagen (fr., C, INF), Cody Osenbach (jr., INF, P), Kevin Jones (sr., OF, P), Shane Butler (jr., INF, P), Julian Lapointe (sr., INF)

Panther Valley

Coach: Rich Evanko

Roster: Ben Baneravage (jr., C, P, INF), Bradley Barlett (soph., OF), Tyler Boyd (fr., OF), Brody Breiner (jr., 2B, SS, OF, P), Cam Caffery (sr., P, OF), Connor Penberth (sr., Utility), Cameron Cooper (jr., OF), Logan Fisher (sr., 1B), Tyler Haines (soph., OF), Brady Jones (sr., P, OF), Kaden Koehler (soph., P, Utility), Peter Kruslicky (jr., 1B, OF), Chase Krynock (sr., Utility)

Pine Grove

Coach: Keith Lehman

Roster: Ian Brown (soph., INF), Quincy Allen (soph., OF, 1B), Blake Ludwig (sr., OF), Wyatt Dixon (jr., C), Brandon Gibson (jr., Utility), Jake Hatter (jr., P, INF), Colton Wickenheiser (jr., OF), Carson Lengle (sr., P, OF, 1B), Grady Strubhar (soph., C), Wyatt Snyder (jr., P, 1B), Chandler Sirbaugh (jr., P, Utility), Quinn Brommer (sr., P, Utility), Brayden Lyons (sr., Utility), Kaiden Umbenhauer (fr., Utility), George Biller (sr., OF), Kale Lengle (sr., 2B, C)

Pottsville

Coach: Mike Welsh

Roster: Brody Hess (soph., INF, P), Andrew Allen (soph., INF), Harrison Ciavarella (soph., OF, C), Aidan Bierman (sr., OF, P), Luke Schane (sr., 1B, P), Brody Eroh (soph., OF), Christian Alvarez (jr., 1B, OF), Max Clews (soph., INF, P), Jacob Filiac (sr., P), Landon Trout (fr., Utility, P), Alan Kushwarra (jr., C), Dominic Rynard (soph., Utility, P)

Tamaqua

Coach: Jeff Reading

Roster: Brayden Witkowski (soph., P, C, Utility), Cooper Ansbach (sr., P, SS), Noah Steigerwalt (sr., Utility), Matt Vecolitis (sr., P, INF), Gavan Hess (soph., P, OF), Jake Yenser (soph., P, Utility), Mason Ligenza (sr., P, CF), Logan Wargo (jr., P, INF), Landon Kamant (soph., P, 3B), Logan Morgans (jr., P, OF), Noah Mateyak (sr., P,1B, OF), Luke Kane (sr., P, C, OF), Luke Frohnheiser (jr., C, 1B), Zach Breiner (sr., 2B), Maximus Najarro (sr., 1B, DH)

Tri-Valley

Coach: Brent Smith

Roster: Bailey Clark (sr., 3B), Owen Miller (jr., P, INF), Peyton Schley (fr., P, OF), Dawson Nuegard (sr., OF), Parker Hatter (fr., C), Jack Wehry (soph., OF), Gavin Scheib (jr., OF), Ty Troutman (fr., C), Trey Porter (soph., OF), Ace Nye (fr., C), Jason Stewart (jr., SS), Remington Klinger (fr., P, OF), Lucas Schwartz (soph., INF), Braeden Doyle (jr., P, INF), Gavin Klock (jr., P), Jacob Smeltz (sr., OF), Marek Zettick (jr., P, 1B)

Check out the entire league schedule below here (Schuylkill League Baseball 2025)

*Rosters and player information is provided by the coach or school district.*