The Pottsville Crimson Tide will challenge the North Schuylkill Spartans at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W'.
Pottsville is probably headed into the contest with a chip on their shoulder considering Blue Mountain just ended the team's four-game winning streak on Thursday. They came up short against the Eagles, falling 13-1. Having soared to a lofty 13 runs in the game before, the Crimson Tide couldn't push the score so high this time.
Pottsville saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Luke Schane, who went 1-for-2 with one run and one double.
Meanwhile, North Schuylkill was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 9-8 heartbreaker at the hands of Notre Dame-Green Pond. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last five times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Landen Smith was cooking despite his team's loss, going 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. He has become a key player for North Schuylkill: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least two runs, but 3-11 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Max Gallagher, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one double.
North Schuylkill's loss dropped their record down to 5-12. As for Pottsville, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-11.
Pottsville's speedy runners might be the difference in Monday's game. The Crimson Tide have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 2.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for North Schuylkill, though, as they've been averaging only 1 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Pottsville continue to outrun the ball?
Pottsville beat North Schuylkill 7-3 when the teams last played back in April. Do the Crimson Tide have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Spartans turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
