HS BASEBALL: Devils fall in first Schuylkill League playoff appearance

PINE GROVE – Under first year head coach Frank McCole, Shenandoah Valley’s baseball team made their first-ever appearance in the Schuylkill League tournament Monday afternoon.

The Blue Devils (14-6 overall, 10-4 D2) finished runner-up in Division 2 play and faced Division 1 third-place Blue Mountain (12-7 overall, 8-4 D1) at Stump Stadium in Pine Grove.

Since the Schuylkill League playoffs began in 2008, the Devils had never made an appearance. They had won Division 2 twice, back-to-back in 1988 and 1989.

Shenandoah has already qualified for the District XI 2A playoffs.

In Monday’s quarterfinal game, the first in a postponed double-header, Blue Mountain struck first, scoring a run in the first inning. The Devils answered in the third, taking the lead 2-1.

The Eagles scored two runs apiece in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 5-2 victory and advance to the Schuylkill League semifinals.

Shenandoah had seven hits and three errors, while Blue Mountain had six hits and three errors.

Johnny Burke and Chase McCole each mustered two hits for the Devils. Brayden Maksimik, Haden Kechula, and Brandon Boris each added one apiece.

The Devils’ runs were scored by McCole and Maksimik.

Maksimik started on the mound, playing four innings for four strikeouts. McCole relieved for two innings and had three strikeouts.

For the Eagles, Aidan Grace led in hits with three. Evan Setlock added two and Matt Grasso, Riley Sebastian, and Brady Strause all added one-apiece.

Runs were scored by Grace, Setlock, Sebastian, Strause, and Dean Faust, batted in by Setlock (2) and Grace (1).

Setlock started on the mound and pitched for six innings with four strikeouts.

The Devils move on to the District XI playoffs while the Eagles will face Tamaqua Tuesday at Stump Stadium.

Full Photo Gallery

About Author

Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

See author's posts