Blue Mountain's Tom Kramer speaks during a dedication of the Press Box in his name (Photo by Eli Doyle).

ORWIGSBURG — A rainy weekend gave way to sunshine and celebration Saturday afternoon at Blue Mountain’s Allen Greenawalt Field, where the school honored one of its most iconic figures with a permanent tribute.

Blue Mountain baseball officially unveiled the newly constructed Tom Kramer Press Box, named in honor of the legendary head coach who led the program for more than two decades. Kramer, a 426-game winner, guided the Eagles to 12 Schuylkill League championships (four outright), six District 11 titles and three PIAA Eastern Final appearances (2008, 2011, 2019) during his tenure. He is a member of both the Blue Mountain Hall of Fame and the Allen Rogowicz Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

“I’m just so elated,” Tom Kramer said. “It brings me joy, even though I am very empty with my wife passing, a big part of me died when she died. I’m just so grateful, and so humbled, and so honored that people care that much to come out. Like I said, that they give up their time on a Saturday — even the coaches, you know, Scott Buffington and Keith Lehman — the former players — and guys I played with at Bethel. They came from West Chester and Coatesville. I don’t know what the word would be.”

The dedication ceremony was led by Kramer’s son and current head coach, Jarrod Kramer, alongside Blue Mountain Athletic Director Doug Morgan. A plaque honoring Tom’s late wife, Susan Kramer, was also unveiled. Known as the team’s biggest fan, Susan’s memory will now live on alongside the program’s storied past.

Joining the ceremony were longtime area sportswriters Sam Matta and Leroy Boyer, both of whom shared memories and tributes to Kramer’s impact on the sport and the region. State Representative Jamie Barton, who helped secure the grant for the press box project, also spoke. Former coaches Allen Greenawalt and Bill Dobrolsky — both instrumental to the program’s history — added heartfelt remarks before Jarrod Kramer closed with emotional words about his father and mother.

On the back of new press box and facing the school, boards now proudly display every league and district championship earned since the program’s inception in 1957, a legacy that includes 977 all-time wins, including Saturday’s 2-1 non-league win over Kutztown.

Senior Matt Grasso went the distance, tossing a complete-game, allowing seven hits, while striking out two and walking just one. Grasso allowed one earned run and threw 96 pitches, 68 for strikes.

Blue Mountain (12-6) did all of its scoring in the fourth inning. Aiden Finn and Josh Hoover each crossed the plate, with Hoover tripling and Cohen Kirby driving in a run on a sacrifice fly.

Kutztown threatened late, scoring one in the sixth, but Grasso and the Eagles’ defense held strong to close out the win and cap a day dedicated to a coaching legacy that helped define Blue Mountain baseball.

“This all feels great,” current coach and son of Tom Kramer, Jarrod Kramer said about the pregame ceremony. “The championships were something we’ve always wanted to display from Day 1 when I took over, to show off the history and tradition of this program. And then when we found out we were getting the press box and the idea came from our school board to do this, it was a perfect match to put the championships there — it was Jerry (Friewald’s) idea to name it for (Tom). And like I said, with his accomplishments and his success it was very fitting and very well deserved.”

Agenda: 10:45 am: State Representatives
Grant Support for Press Box, Restrooms
BM Legacy Group,Turf Fields, Stadium Entrance, Wall
Track & Field SIAL Champions
11:15 amMark Abel: Tennis Courts
11:45 amMike Rollman: Memorial Plaque
12:15 amThomas Kramer: Baseball Press Box pic.twitter.com/ZCqytuqOxl

— BMSD Athletics (@BMSDAthletics) April 9, 2025

Mahanoy Area 10, CMVT 2

MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy Area used patience at the plate and power hitting to roll past Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech.

Joe Rick launched a home run and drove in four runs, while Donovan Herman added three runs and an RBI. Mahanoy Area plated runs in every inning but the third, using a combination of seven hits and nine walks to fuel the offense.

Justin De La Rosa earned the win on the mound, striking out eight over four innings. The Golden Bears (3-15) struck for three in the fourth and four in the fifth to blow the game open.

Marian 11, Executive Education 7

ALLENTOWN — Marian outslugged Executive Education in a victory powered by a 14-hit attack.

Jimmy Cannon led the Colts with a 3-for-4 day and five RBIs, while Cole Defrancisco and Cole Jordan each tallied two hits and an RBI. Marian (9-9) scored in five straight innings from the third through the seventh, building an 11-4 lead before weathering a late push.

Defrancisco started and tossed 3.1 innings before Chase Grier closed it out, allowing just one earned run the rest of the way.

Notre Dame-Green Pond 9
North Schuylkill 8

EASTON — Despite a late four-run rally in the seventh, North Schuylkill fell just short in a loss to Notre Dame-Green Pond.

The Spartans outhit their opponent 11-10 and were led by Landen Smith (3-for-4, 2 RBIs), Max Gallagher (2-for-4, 3 RBIs), and Stephen Minahan (2-for-4).

North Schuylkill (5-12) trailed 9-4 entering the seventh and got within one after a string of hits, but the rally was halted with the tying run on base. Pitchers Hunter Rogers and Kolton Joyce combined for five strikeouts but surrendered six walks in the loss.