COAL TOWNSHIP - The signature wins keep coming for Shamokin.
On Tuesday, the Indians took down Jersey Shore, 2-1, to qualify for the District 4 playoffs. Two days later, it was an extra inning win over Midd-West, and on Friday, Shamokin scored another big victory, a 1-0 decision over North Schuylkill.
Steph Pancher allowed just one hit while striking out 11 Spartans, and was a big reason the Indians were able to score their only run.
After Pancher doubled into left in the first inning, the Spartans appeared to make the decision to pitch around her with Brianna Bonshock on second base in the third.
The Spartans didn't give in and issue Pancher an intentional walk, although they might have been better off to do so. North Schuylkill hurler Alyssa Smith, in an attempt to paint the outside corner, saw two passed balls reach the backstop while staying away from Pancher's wheelhouse. Those two miscues were all the opening Bonshock needed to move up and score.
"This game meant a lot," Pancher said. "We've been on a winning streak here. We just wanted to show everyone what we could do because North Schuylkill is a good team. I play with a lot of those girls in the summer, and I know they're good, so it meant a lot for us to bring our 'A' game here."
Eight of Shamokin's 12 wins have come at home, and despite showing a penchant for rallying in later innings, the Indians didn't need that same type of magic on Friday.
"For once, we didn't have to rally back, but we did have to hold the 1-0 lead," Shamokin head coach Christi Cryder said.
The holding on was nerve wracking enough.
North Schuylkill's Nadya Spotts, the leadoff hitter in the fifth and batting for Robyn Orth, reached third, but was stranded there.
Then in the sixth, after a walk to Johnna Cappel, Pancher allowed her only hit, a bunt single to Spotts, but North Schuylkill tried to stretch its luck and had Tara Pennypacker picked off trying to reach third from first on the bunt.
After all that excitement, Pancher really took the game into her own hands, striking out the final four batters.
"Usually Steph struggles toward the end of the game, but she had a lot of heart today," Cryder said. "She plays travel ball with a lot of the girls on that team, so I think it was a little extra special for her today. She dug deep and pitched a heck of a game."
For the Spartans, who have already qualified for the District 11 playoffs, it was their third loss this week.
"(Pancher) pitched a great game, but we have to hit," North Schuylkill head coach Dominic Grasso said. "We didn't have that many opportunities. I give her all the credit in the world.
"We have to get something rolling here. I don't know what to say. If we have to make changes in the hitting... Our defense is really good. (Orth) is hurt and can't bat. She's our go girl, and if she don't go, we don't go.
"We have one more game before districts, so hopefully we can get a little hot."
While this Shamokin team has done something that no Indians team has done in five years - qualify for the playoffs - the Indians don't seem to be slowing down.
"These kids are rolling," Cryder said. "They're coming to play, and it's special to them. They're always asking if this is the best record. They know they're district-bound, they're just going for more goals now.
"I don't know what the best record in Shamokin history is. I don't have a clue. It doesn't matter, this is now, and this is what we've been working for."
Game Summary
NORTH SCHUYLKILL (AB-R-H-BI) - Spotts 2-0-1-0, Newhouser 3-0-0-0, Schlauch 3-0-0-0, Lapotsky 3-0-0-0, McGrath 3-0-0-0, Smith 2-0-0-0, Bolinsky 2-0-0-0, Achenbach 2-0-0-0, Cappel 0-0-0-0, Pennypacker 0-0-0-0, Orth 0-0-0-0. Totals 20-0-1-0.
SHAMOKIN (AB-R-H-BI) - Hornberger 2-0-1-0, Wolfe 2-0-0-0, Pancher 3-0-1-0, O. Bonshock 3-0-0-0, Haupt 3-0-1-0, Demsko 0-0-0-0, Templar 3-0-0-0, Augustitus 1-0-0-0, Bainbridge 2-0-1-0, Supsic 2-0-0-0, B. Bonshock 2-1-1-0, C. Pancher 0-0-0-0. Totals 23-1-5-0.
N. Schuylkill 000 000 0 - 0 1 2
Shamokin 001 000 x - 1 5 0
2B - Pancher.
IP H R ER BB K
North Schuylkill
Smith (L, 3-3) 6 5 1 1 1 7
Shamokin
Pancher (W, 12-5) 7 1 0 0 4 11