Stroudsburg Head Coach Matthew Suarez shared that one of the matchups he was looking forward to was Pocono Mountain East. He also added it was going to be a tough game–and tough it was. The Mountaineers struggled to gain any traction on offense in their 2024 season opener.

Stroudsburg lost to Pocono Mountain East, 12-1, in an abbreviated game due to the mercy rule.

Adam Horvath, 12, pitched a 5-inning shutout for East, striking out 10 batters, allowing 5 hits, and picking up the win for East. He also hit a first-inning home run. Horvath is a D1 commit and will head to James Madison University this fall.

Stroudsburg’s starter Anthony Knight, 11, allowed 8 runs (4 earned) and struck out one batter over 4 innings of work. Knight and reliever Jackson Brancato, 12, didn’t get much help on the mound from the defense who committed 5 errors during the game. East was also effective in the run game, stealing 7 bases.

Stroudsburg’s shortstop Alex Pacitti, 11, had 2 hits in 3 at-bats and stole a base. Second baseman Paulie Maccarrone, 11, drove in the team’s only run with a walk and also hit a single in his three plate appearances. Designated hitter Damian Budhai, 9, and catcher Thomas Gonzalez, 10, each added a hit. The team, collectively, struck out 12 times and only walked twice in the loss.

Stroudsburg is back at it tomorrow for their second game of the season against East Stroudsburg South. South completed an 8-3 comeback yesterday against Pocono Mountain West in their season opener. Stroudsburg won both matchups against South last season, outscoring them 11 runs to 4.