BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
(Presented by Center City Print)
T.J. DiMATTIA, Old Forge sophomore shortstop/pitcher
Time period: April 24-30
Game One: DiMattia saved the 9-5 win over arch-rival Riverside April 24 by shutting out the Vikings over the final three innings of the Lackawanna League Division 2 game. He gave up just one hit and one walk while striking out four. DiMattia also helped build the lead with a double, three RBI and a run scored in three at-bats.
Game Two: DiMattia protected the lead and the shutout in a 4-0 Lackawanna Division 2 victory over Mid Valley April 26 when he moved to the mound with the bases loaded and got a strikeout to end the sixth inning. He faced five batters to get the game’s final four outs with three strikeouts while walking one. DiMattia also had a hit.
Season batting: DiMattia is batting .233 while playing in all 11 games. He has four doubles, six runs and four RBI.
Season pitching: In six appearances, DiMattia is 2-1 with two saves and a 2.42 earned run average. He has allowed 13 hits and 10 walks while striking out 24 in 17 1/3 innings. DiMattia has given up 11 runs, 6 of which are earned.
About T.J.: T.J. is the son of Old Forge coach Tony DiMattia. He has raised his season batting average 100 points during a current four-game hitting streak that includes all four of his RBI and three of his four doubles. DiMattia has been a full-time player and an important pitcher since the start of a freshman season in which he was 6-1 with a save, 1.41 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings over 10 appearances. As a freshman, DiMattia scored 13 runs while batting .215.
About the Blue Devils: Old Forge has won five straight to rise to the top of the seeding race in District 2 Class 2A and on Tuesday became the top-ranked Small School in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Baseball Power Rankings of district teams. The Blue Devils are 6-2 in Lackawanna Division 2 and 7-4 overall with three of the losses coming to Big Schools (Class 4A or larger). The win over second-place Mid Valley pulled third-place Old Forge to within a half-game of the Spartans in Division 2. Old Forge is ahead of Lackawanna Division 3 leader Elk Lake, .617-.604, in the ratings race for top district seed.
