COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area coach Billy Clark came into the season knowing if his Indians struggled, it would be at the plate.
To have success, even with a solid group of veterans, they'd have to hit better - make that much better - than they did last season.
So far though, through two games, their struggles continue.
Shamokin had five hits in a season-opening non-league loss Monday to North Schuylkill.
Wednesday, in the Heartland II opener against Bloomsburg, they managed only three in a 6-2 setback.
"There's no doubt about it," Clark said following the Bloomsburg loss. "We don't hit.
"Somehow, some way, they have to figure it out."
Bloomsburg starting pitcher Brandon Hoyes had a lot to do with those struggles, working five solid innings with four strikeouts and only two walks. But, he was also the pitcher who gave up all three Indians's hits, including Jon Miller's home run to straightaway center field, and both Shamokin Area runs.
"He pitched against us both games last year," Clark said of Hoyes. "He keeps them in games, and he kept us off balance. We swung at a lot of curve balls and watched a lot of fastballs."
Bloomsburg scored all six of its runs off Indians' starter Bobby Taylor, who worked the first four innings and also allowed all eight Panthers' hits.
Ryan Burns was sharp in relief of Taylor, working the final three frames without allowing a hit or run. He struck out four, including the side in the fifth.
Bloomsburg was strong out of the gate, scoring two in the first, one in the second, two in the third and one in the fourth to build its lead. Center fielder Logan Mauk, with two doubles, a single and two runs batted in, was the hot bat for the Panthers. Seth Loff and Ricky Gottstein had a double and RBI apiece.
Miller's home run came with one out in the bottom of the fifth, but Hoyes sandwiched two strikeouts around a Steve Bressi single to end the inning without further damage.
Shamokin threatened again in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs on the strength of two walks and an error, but Gavin Pellitteri came on to pitch, working to one batter and getting Zach Tillett to ground out to end the game.
Game Summary
BLOOMSBURG (AB-R-H-BI) - Mauk 4-1-3-2, Thrush 3-0-0-0, Pellitteri 4-1-1-1, Loff 3-1-2-1, Gottstein 2-1-1-1, Stone 3-0-0-1, Ward 3-0-0-0, Vincent 3-2-1-0, Klingerman 2-0-0-0, Hoyes 0-0-0-0, Buttrick 0-0-0-0. Totals 27-6-8-6.
SHAMOKIN (AB-R-H-BI) - Kosmer 3-0-1-1, Tillett 4-0-0-0, Burns 3-0-0-0, Fry 2-0-0-0, Grinaway 2-0-0-0, Taylor 3-0-0-0, Miller 1-2-1-1, Deptula 1-0-0-0, Rodarmel 1-0-0-0, Craft 1-0-0-0, Bressi 2-0-1-0.
Extra-base hits: Bloomsburg - Mauk 2B, 2B; Loff 2B; Gottstein 2B. Shamokin - Miller HR.
Bloomsburg 212 100 0 - 6 8 1
Shamokin 001 010 0 - 2 3 2
IP H R ER BB K
Bloomsburg
Hoyes (W) 5 3 2 2 2 4
Buttrick 1.2 0 0 0 1 3
Pellitteri .1 0 0 0 0 0
Shamokin
Taylor 4 8 6 6 0 2
Burns 3 0 0 0 2 4