Tamaqua softball edged by NS

The playoffs might still be a few weeks away.

But Thursday’s showdown between North Schuylkill and Tamaqua had every bit of a postseason feel to it.

The first meeting of the season between the Spartans and Blue Raiders showcased what has made the two softball programs perennial Schuylkill League and District 11 powers in recent years.

Both teams flashed their talent and grit, but a two-out, two-run homer from Schuyler Ossman in the top of the eighth inning lifted North Schuylkill to a 3-1 Division 1 win over Tamaqua.

The junior shortstop’s game-winning hit came after a spectacular catch and collision with teammate Violet Ryan in leftfield with two outs and a runner on second base in the bottom half of the seventh inning.

“Schuyler came through at the end,” said Spartans’ head coach Dominick Grasso. “What a great catch, and then she came up big with the homer. She was 0-for-3 until she came up there and hit the homer.

“But the catch was the deal. That was the big deal. She saved the game. One play saved the game.”

The Blue Raiders (12-3) looked primed to start a rally in the bottom of the seventh when Brooke Zellner opened the inning with a leadoff single. After Jada Schellhammer reached on a force play at second and Burd got a grounder for the second out, Ossman made the catch backing up into leftfield with courtesy runner Alexsya Thomas on second.

Both Ossman and Ryan were down for an extended period before getting to their feet. Ryan later came out of the game.

Amaya Kessler started the eighth-inning rally for the Spartans (14-1), reaching on an error and moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kira Marlow, before Ossman sent one over the fence.

Tamaqua tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning when No. 9 hitter Madison Matsago was hit by a pitch with two strikes and two outs, breaking up Haley Burd’s perfect game.

Matsago stole second base and came around to score when leadoff batter Courtney Hoffman lined a triple to right centerfield to knot it up.

With Hoffman standing at third base, Miranda Chinchar lined a potential go-ahead hit down the leftfield line that was ruled just foul. Burd recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

The senior allowed just two hits and finished with 11 strikeouts.

“My girls don’t ever quit,” said Tamaqua head coach Jill Barron. “Today was probably one of the worst offensive games that we’ve had; the strikeouts were just one too many against a team like North Schuylkill. You gotta put the ball in play and make them make mistakes, and we didn’t do that. We left Haley have control of the game today.”

Schellhammer was nearly as dominant as Burd, striking out 11 without issuing a walk.

“She’s a player,” Barron said of Schellhammer. “She wants to get it done on the mound. She knows she has a defense behind her. But then she also comes in offensively and can help us out. She’s got both aspects of it, which is a great thing to have.”

North Schuylkill took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning when Hailey Guerrero singled to score Megan Sacco.

QUICK TURNAROUND … Tamaqua will travel to North Schuylkill today for a rematch. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.

WAITING GAME … Shortly after Ossman’s homer, teams were pulled off the field when a rumble of thunder and some heavy rain moved through the area. The game was delayed for about 25 minutes with two outs in the top of the eighth.

JV GAME … Tamaqua won the JV game, 4-2.

North Schuylkill 000 010 02 - 3 4 0

Tamaqua 000 001 00 - 1 2 1

Burd and Marlow; Schellhammer and Zellner. W - Burd. L - Schellhammer. HR: NS - Ossman (8th, one on).