Jim Thorpe trims Lehighton in nine innings

Often times in sports when things go bad, a team can give in and fall victim to the adversity.

Jim Thorpe — a team that’s had its struggles this season winning just two games —certainly could’ve done that on Thursday against Schuylkill League Division 1 rival Lehighton.

Down multiple times to the Tribe (5-8) throughout the day, and coming close many times to getting that one clutch hit they needed, the Olympians (3-11) dug down deep to edge Lehighton with a walk-off 3-2 victory in extra innings.

“I know our record isn’t indicative of it, but these kids have fought and clawed all season long, and they never ever give up,” said Olympians head coach Joe Marykwas. “Today shows that. This is a tough group, and this win definitely gives us some momentum as we head into the second half of the season. We just need to keep getting better.”

This one was a pitching duel to start, with hurlers Noah Sensinger (Lehighton) and Dale Edwards (JT) holding the opposing squads scoreless for the first three innings of play.

Lehighton was able to strike first with what seemed to be a potentially game-changing play when junior Zach Crum hit a single-run homer to give the Tribe a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth.

Lehighton dominated on the day as far as getting runners on base and hitting goes. Crum’s bomb helped spur the Indians’ success from the plate as they collected 13 hits in the game.

“We did a good job getting on base and putting the ball in play, and coming into today, we were playing solid, smart baseball,” said Lehighton head coach Brian Polaha.

“But today, we did not play to our ability, and we just made too many mistakes, especially with how we’ve been competing as of late. We had too many base running errors, and credit to Jim Thorpe, because they took advantage, but we had our chances and we didn’t execute.”

This game certainly wasn’t short on dramatics. Thorpe answered Crum’s swing by taking the lead in the fifth, scoring two runs with Noah Snisky and Luis Valdez knocking in runs.

The Indians, with their last chance in the top of the seventh, tied the game when a Logan Pagotto single brought in Chris Whiteman, who singled earlier in the inning.

The story of the game was taking advantage of opportunities — with many being squandered on the day — it was finally Thorpe that broke through.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Evan Dart poked a single over second base, scoring the winning run and making it a clean sweep of the Tribe on the season for the Olympians.

“In that type of situation, with the bases loaded and only one out with the game on the line, I knew I just had to put the ball in play,” said Dart. “I knew I was going to get something down the middle and most likely a fastball, so I just shifted my weight and found the ball and was able to help out my team.”

LEADERS ... For Thorpe, Jake Schwartz and Valdez led the way with two hits apiece. For the Tribe, Chris Whiteman collected three hits.

DOUBLED UP ... The Jim Thorpe defense came to play on the afternoon. Pair that with some base running miscues by the Indians and the Olympians came away with four double plays on the afternoon.

Lehighton 000 100 100 - 2 13 0

J. Thorpe 000 020 001 - 3 7 2

Sensinger, Deem (7) and Wentz; Edwards, Marykwas (6), and Schwartz. W - Marykwas. L - Deem.