HEGINS — After 36 seasons and 712 games, history was made on the diamond Monday afternoon. Tri-Valley head coach Marty Shade notched his 547th career victory, officially becoming the winningest coach in Schuylkill League history.
The milestone win pushed Shade past the legendary Ken Schneck, the iconic Minersville coach who amassed 546 wins, 26 seasons, and an incredible six state championships. But for Shade, this moment wasn't about personal glory — it was about honoring a friend and rival.
"It makes me think of Kenny a lot," Shade reflected to a small group of reporters after the game. "When I first started coaching, Kenny wasn't the most liked coach in the league because he beat everybody all the time. But for some reason, he and I hit it off right away."
The bond between the two coaches grew far beyond the baseline. Shade regularly visited Schneck at Tremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in his final years, sharing memories and laughs. "When I visit my mom, I always go visit Kenny," Shade said. "I always make him laugh. He always liked it when I brought his teams up."
It's fitting that a coach who has given nearly four decades to local athletes would immediately turn the spotlight on others. "As for me, I'm proud of myself," Shade admitted. "I'd like to thank God for letting me do this for so long. I'd like to thank the school board and the administration for hiring me every year. I'm just a coach who likes to coach. I still enjoy it…I like the competitiveness."
Monday's record-setting 13-5 win didn't come easily. The Marian Fillies came ready to play, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first inning. But Tri-Valley's bats answered quickly, scoring three times in the bottom of the first and four more in the second to build a 7-1 cushion.
Starting pitcher Mya Schwalm was the offensive spark, finishing 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and four RBIs. Marian battled back with one run in the third and four in the fourth, cutting the lead to 7-5. But Tri-Valley responded with back-to-back three-run innings, highlighted by Schwalm and Lydia Rodichock going yard in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
"Tonight, I've got to give Marian a lot of credit," Shade said. "Girls can swing the bats. They can hit. They gave us all we could handle for a while there."
With the win, Shade adds another chapter to a storied career — one built on respect, resilience, and a love for the game that shows no signs of slowing down.