Tamaqua and Pine Grove are an even 5-5 against one another since May of 2019, but likely not for long. The Blue Raiders will be playing at home against the Cardinals at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Tamaqua will be looking to extend their current five-game winning streak.
The scorekeeper got an easy start on Monday as neither Tamaqua nor North Schuylkill made it on the board until the fifth inning. The Blue Raiders walked away with a 5-2 win over the Spartans. The game was the first time the Blue Raiders have beaten the Spartans on their field since April 4, 2023.
Mason Ligenza
| 04/21/25 @ North Schuylkill | 5 |
| 05/02/24 vs Pine Grove | 3 |
| 05/01/24 @ Panther Valley | 3 |
| 03/29/25 vs East Stroudsburg South | 2 |
| 03/19/25 @ Marian Catholic | 2 |
Mason Ligenza was incredible, going 1-for-3 with five stolen bases and two runs. Those five stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Luke Kane, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, two runs, and one double.
Meanwhile, Pine Grove had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They came out on top against Schuylkill Valley by a score of 6-3 on Thursday.
Quinn Brommer made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out nine over six innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three runs, and two RBI. He has become a key player for Pine Grove: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 3-6 otherwise.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Chandler Sirbaugh, who went 3-for-4 with one stolen base and one double.
Pine Grove was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .424. They are 2-1 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Tamaqua's victory was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 13-1. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 6.3 runs over those games. As for Pine Grove, the victory got them back to even at 6-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Tamaqua has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Pine Grove struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 9.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Tamaqua beat Pine Grove 4-0 in their previous matchup back in March. Will the Blue Raiders repeat their success, or do the Cardinals have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
