COAL TOWNSHIP - Monday's wet, muddy, 12-1 Heartland II setback to Loyalsock Township not withstanding, Shamokin Area still controls its own destiny when it comes to the District 4 postseason.
The Indians (7-6) have seven games to play, need three wins to get in and can go a long way toward clinching that coveted berth with games Wednesday at Mount Carmel and Friday at Hughesville.
They didn't help themselves Monday, mostly due to a Loyalsock team that pounded out 10 hits in the six-inning affair and a pair of Lancers' pitchers who put the clamps to the Indians' offense.
Starter Luke Glavin, a sophomore, worked the first three frames, struck out three and didn't allow a hit - but didn't go deep enough in the game to earn the victory.
That went to reliever Rocco Lupo, who worked the final three innings, allowing three hits, a run and striking out two.
"Their pitching is outstanding," Shamokin coach Billy Clark said. "And on offense, they hit the ball hard.
"They're a tough team to beat."
With a full slate of games this week due to postponements earlier in the season, the Lancers spread their pitching work out.
The Indians came up with their lone run in the fourth, Lupo's first inning of work.
Mike Rodarmel led the inning off with a bloop single to right, Shamokin's first hit. He advanced to second on a passed ball, then scored when, with one out, Austin Fry drove a double to left field.
But that was it. The Indians had only four baserunners for the game. One of those, Rodarmel, who walked in the first inning, was eliminated when Theo Deptula grounded into a double play.
Darien Craft started on the mound for Shamokin and took the loss. He worked the first four innings, allowing eight hits and eight runs before giving way to Rodarmel, who worked the final two innings.
Game Summary
LOYALSOCK (AB-R-H-BI) - Kline 3-2-2-2, Webb 4-2-2-2, Datres 2-1-0-0, Moore 3-1-0-2, Baggett 2-1-1-0, Young 4-1-1-1, J. Glavin 1-0-0-0, Krizan 4-1-3-2, L. Glavin 0-0-0-0, Lupo 1-0-0-0, Sosa 3-1-0-0, DeFrancesco 3-2-1-1. Totals 29-12-10-10.
SHAMOKIN (AB-R-H-BI) - Rodarmel 2-1-1-0, Deptula 3-0-0-0, Fry 3-0-1-1, Young 2-0-0-0, Gurba 2-0-0-0, Malett 2-0-0-0, Ju. Deitrick 2-0-0-0, Jo. Deitrick 0-0-0-0, Miller 2-0-0-0, Craft 1-0-0-0, Demsko 1-0-0-0. Totals 20-1-3-1.
Extra-base hits: 2B - Brian Young. HR - Webb.
IP H R ER BB K
Loyalsock
L. Glavin 3 0 0 0 1 3
Lupo (W) 3 3 1 1 0 2
Shamokin
Craft (L) 4 8 8 7 4 0
Rodarmel 2 2 4 1 6 4