NEW CASTLE — (Click on the link at right for a photo gallery from the New Castle vs. Central Valley baseball game.)

The Shenango High baseball team sure picked a good time for its best offensive showing of the season.

The Wildcats teed off on Riverside, 15-4, in a key WPIAL Section 5-AA road victory yesterday. The game was called after six innings because of the mercy rule. Riverside came into the game tied for first place in the section with Ellwood City Lincoln, and Shenango was a game behind.

The Wildcats (4-1 section, 7-4 overall), now tied for second place after Ellwood City’s win, collected 18 hits and scored 13 unanswered runs after an early 4-2 deficit. Andrew Uram led the attack by going 4 for 4. He scored once and drove in a run. Brett Chieze was 3 for 5 with four runs, two stolen bases and an RBI, Doug Bennett went 3 for 4 with four RBIs, four runs and a stolen base and Martin Tedrow was 2 for 4 with four RBIs and a run scored.

“We had a very good approach at the plate,” Shenango coach Mike Othites said. “We were looking for the fastball and we did a good job of getting key hits in big situations.

“It snowballed, just like it does when it’s going bad it does when you’re going good. We had big hits, good baserunning and it was one of those things that it just kept going. I was real proud of the fact that we got down 4-2 and we were able to get out of that and keep hitting.”

Trailing 4-2 entering the fourth inning, the Wildcats scored six times and never looked back, scoring four more in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

Brent McCormick earned the win in relief. He pitched the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing two hits with zero walks, zero runs and striking out six.

“McCormick did a great job in relief,” Othites said. “He was able to shut them down. He didn’t walk anyone, which was key. He made them hit the ball and we made plays behind him. It helped that we got some runs and he was able to relax.”

Bennett connected for his first homer of the year, crushing a two-run shot that hit the roof of a building past the left-field fence. The Wildcats also hit three doubles and turned a double play.

“Anytime you win at Riverside, you come away smiling,” Othites said. “But I told them to enjoy it for the evening because just like a loss, we have to forget about this and move on to the next one.”

Riverside (4-1, 7-4) is ranked No. 3 in the WPIAL in Class AA by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. The Panthers won the WPIAL and PIAA championships last year.



New Castle 12,

Central Valley 3

This time, the New Castle High baseball team delivered a big inning against the opposition.

The Red Hurricane posted a seven-run sixth inning in a 12-3 WPIAL Section 1-AAA win over Central Valley yesterday at Flaherty Field.

New Castle (1-3 section, 4-5 overall) pounded out 13 hits in breaking a four-game losing streak. The ’Canes they turned in at least one costly inning per contest during the streak.

“We started off with a tough schedule and we’ve always had that tough inning go against us,” New Castle coach Paul Malley Jr. said. “I told them to just come out and play the game and they did.

“If we play the way we’re capable of we can do this to teams. The guys just went out and had fun.”

Justin Fleo, Vinny Jannetti and Sean Coyne recorded three hits apiece for New Castle. Coyne drove in four runs, while Jannetti and Julian Cox plated two markers each.

Coyne (1-2) worked the first six innings to earn the win. He gave up eight hits and three runs — all earned — with three walks and three strikeouts.

“I thought Sean pitched well,” Malley said. “The defense played well behind him. It was a real good performance for Sean.”

Central Valley (1-4, 3-8) has lost three straight by a combined count of 37-6.



Laurel 10,

New Brighton 0

Brandon Ritchie tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout to lift Laurel to a Section 5-AA home win over New Brighton.

Ritchie (4-1) didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

“That was a great pitching performance from Brandon,” Spartans coach Eric Verdi said. “It was something we needed.”

Laurel (3-2, 8-3) was coming off a 9-0 loss to Riverside in which Verdi was upset with his team’s effort.

“I was very pleased tonight,” Verdi said of his team’s win over New Brighton. “I challenged the kids.

“The kids understand it’s a very good section we’re in and you are going to lose games. But the effort has to be there and it was (yesterday). We ran the bases better. It was far from perfect, but it was great to see them rebound.”

Rick Jones and Todd Fennick had three hits each for the Spartans, while R.J. Stewart and Brad Telesz added two apiece. Telesz drove in four runs for Laurel, while Fennick and Stewart drove in two each.

Chuck Zahn singled to account for the lone hit for the Lions (2-3, 5-6).



Mohawk 9,

Beaver Falls 8

Mohawk found a way to end its eight-game losing streak.

Luc Tyler’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth plated John Hartzell with the game-winning run for the Warriors in a Section 5-AA win over visiting Beaver Falls. Hartzell tripled to lead off the ninth.

“We got great contributions from several players,” Mohawk coach Kevin Sapp said. “John Hartzell has been swinging a very good bat lately.

“We still have a lot of improving to do, but hopefully this will be a springboard for us as we wrap up the first half of section play.”

The Warriors (1-4, 2-9) forced extra innings by scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Hartzell was 4 for 5 with three RBIs for Mohawk. Tyler Powers was 3 for 3 with two RBIs.

Mohawk notched 15 hits.

Tyler Rader (2-2) picked up the victory in long relief. Rader tossed six innings, giving up eight hits and five runs — one earned — with a walk and a strikeout.

Rader was 2 for 5 as well.

“Tyler’s biggest contribution came on the mound,” Sapp said. “He pitched very effectively.”

Beaver Falls (0-5, 2-8) left 12 runners on base and the Warriors stranded eight.



Ellwood City 10,

South Side Beaver 2

Three pitchers combined to lead visiting Ellwood City Lincoln to a Section 5-AA win over South Side Beaver. The Wolverines (5-0, 11-0) are ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL in Class AA by the Post-Gazette.

Christian Kerns (5-0) started and picked up the victory. Kerns worked three innings, giving up a hit and no runs with three walks and two strikeouts.

Matt Germanoski and Anthony Carusone combined in relief to allow three hits and two runs — one earned — with a walk and four strikeouts.

“The good thing is we got three different guys some work and we have everyone available for (tomorrow) against New Brighton,” Wolverines coach Jeff Fotia said. “The pitchers weren’t real sharp. But they did what they had to do.”

Seth Mley and Greg Lynn posted two hits each for Ellwood City. Lynn drove in three runs.

“We did what we had to do on the road,” Fotia said. “We can’t take our eyes off New Brighton. They’re the next team on our schedule and they’re dangerous.”

The Wolverines lead the section by a game over Riverside (4-1, 7-4) and Shenango (4-1, 7-4). The Rams dropped to 1-4, 6-4.



Union 9,

Rochester 5

Union rallied from a 4-1 deficit to knock off Rochester in Section 3-A action.

The host Scotties (3-1, 7-4) scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth and four more in the sixth.

“This was an important win for us,” Union coach Gene DiGennaro said. “We fell behind early again; it’s something we’ve been doing of late.

“But the team we have, we keep battling. They stay patient and never quit. It’s great to see that.”

Joe Salmen and Devan Schuller recorded two hits each for the Scotties. Kody Smith, Salmen and Carrington Bell drove in two runs each for the winners.

Bell (3-1) earned the win in relief of Schuller. Bell worked three innings, allowing three hits and four runs — all earned — with six walks and six strikeouts.

Union pitchers combined to walk 11 batters and fan seven.

“I’m disappointed in the pitching,” DiGennaro said. “Eleven walks is too many. We were lucky in a way.

“That’s not going to cut it down the road. At the start of the year, pitching was our strength. Now we’re struggling to throw strikes.”

Rochester (3-2, 3-7) scored a run in the first but the Scotties tied it at 1 with a marker in the fourth. The Rams went up 4-1 with a three-run fifth.



Wilmington 16,

Reynolds 6

Wilmington’s Ryan Brumbaugh ignited an offensive onslaught for the Greyhounds in a District 10, Region 2-AA blowout of host Reynolds.

Brumbaugh went 4 for 4 with six RBIs and four runs. He even added a stolen base for good measure as Wilmington (2-0, 4-4) stayed perfect in its region in a game called after six innings because of the mercy rule.

“He was phenomenal today,” Greyhounds coach Garett Malinak said. “This is kind of what he does. He’s been our three batter since he was a freshman. He’s one of those kids who, if he makes an out, you almost do a double take. It just really clicked for him today.”

Clean-up hitter Anthony Derrick also provided some pop, going 3 for 4 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base. Davis Smith was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Wilmington struck for 13 hits total.

“We hit in every inning, and that really kept the pressure on (Reynolds),” Malinak said. “It was a real team effort.”

Drew Nichols picked up the win for Wilmington, which scored in every inning but the second. Nichols struck out six, walked two and allowed five hits and six runs — two earned — in six innings.



Neshannock 10,

Cornell 0

The Lancers belted five home runs and three different pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout as they rolled past Cornell in a Section 3-A road game.

The Lancers are ranked No. 4 in the WPIAL in Class A by the Post-Gazette.

Anthony Van Eman belted a pair of homers, finishing 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs. John Sansone, Alex Strittmatter and Alex Welker also hit home runs for Neshannock (4-0, 9-2).

“We’re just seeing the ball a little better,” Lancers coach Mike Kirkwood said. “We’re staying back and being a little more selective with our pitches. That’s helped us a lot. We’re trying to be a little more disciplined at the plate and I think it’s working.”

Sansone was 2 for 2 with three RBIs and two runs. He now has three home runs and 20 for his career. Strittmatter and Welker also drove in two. John Conglose was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Strittmatter started and picked up the win, striking out three and yielding one hit over three innings. Welker and Joe Bullano each pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Neshannock didn’t walk a batter in the game.



Softball

Union 16,

Quigley 1

Union took control with nine runs in the first inning en route to a Section 5-A home win over Quigley Catholic.

The game was stopped after three innings because of the mercy rule.

“It was a close game at their place,” Lady Scots coach Gary Trimble said. “We were just ready to play (yesterday).

“We got some big hits. It’s a satisfying win.”

Union claimed the first meeting, 11-10.

Savannah Partridge recorded two hits and four RBIs for the Lady Scots (5-2, 6-5) and Allison Bertolino was next with two hits and three RBIs.

Krista Zorens and Amanda Carr recorded two hits and a pair of RBIs each for the winners. Jamie Romine and Kandace Vercilla added two hits each.

Zorens (6-5) earned the win. Zorens gave up three hits and an earned run with four strikeouts and no walks.

“I thought Zorens pitched well,” Trimble said. “She got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first and that gave us a little bit of a lift.

“She’s not walking many people. She’s letting the other team hit the ball and if we can field it, that’s a big thing for us.”

Union tallied five more runs in the second and two in the third to finish off the rout. The Lady Spartans (1-4, 3-4) notched their lone tally in the top of the first inning.



Boys tennis

Lancers cruise

Neshannock breezed to a Section 2-AA 5-0 road victory over Beaver Falls.

Eric Salle (No. 1), Jono Acosta (No. 2) and Max Watters (No. 3) earned singles victories for Neshannock (8-0, 8-0).

The doubles teams of Mark Bleggi/Ethan McCarthy (No. 1) and Anthony Martone/James Jolley (No. 2) also registered victories.

Neshannock 5, Beaver Falls 0

SINGLES

1. Eric Salle (N) def. Clay Barnes 6-0, 6-0.

2. Jono Acosta (N) def. Justin Dawson 6-0, 6-1.

3. Max Watters (N) def. Jared Boggs 6-1, 6-0.

DOUBLES

1. Mark Bleggi/Ethan McCarthy (N) def. Joe Dobnak/Malik Buffaloe 6-0, 6-0.

2. Anthony Martone/James Jolley (N) Dallas Ravels/Zack Fleischman 6-3, 6-2.



Ellwood rolls

Ellwood City dominated a Section 2-AA match with Ambridge, 5-0.

Number-one singles player Matt Barnes, who will compete in Thursday’s WPIAL Championship at Shady Side Academy, defeated Mark Kozlowski, 6-0, 6-3. Barnes finished second at the section singles tournament last week.

“They’re all showing a lot of progress as the year goes on,” Wolverines coach Curtis Kline said. “They’re working hard and playing hard, and that’s all you can ask.

Ellwood City 5, Ambridge 0

SINGLES

1. Matt Barnes (EC) def. Mark Kozlowski, 6-0, 6-3.

2. Scott Lewis (EC) def. Kevin Brennemen, 6-2, 6-1.

3. Beau Ewing (EC) def. Aiden Phillips, 6-1, 6-1.

DOUBLES

1. Jonathan Pogozelec/R.J. Leisie (EC) def. Tyler Marritt/Tyler Gaona, 6-2, 6-2.

2. Michael Brown/Eric Franz (EC) def. Cody Weil/Bobby Jarsulic, 6-1, 6-2.



Boys track

Shenango tops Mohawk

Jake Cochran and Alex Klein won four events apiece to lead Shenango to a 98-51 win over Mohawk.

Cochran won the 200, 400, 400 relay and 1600 relay. Klein claimed the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 400 relay and the 1600 relay.

Seaburn registered wins in the 100, 400 relay and 1600 relay.

Mohawk won just four events.



Girls track

Durbin wins three

Mohawk’s Melissa Durbin registered three wins in an 87-63 decision over Shenango.

Durbin posted victories in the 100, 400 relay and the long jump.

Allyssa Allwine placed second in the high jump for the Lady Wildcats with a mark of 5-2. She tied Shannon Lough’s mark of 5-2, which was set in 1992.

Shenango’s Rachel Reamer (1600, 3200) and Michelle Watson (shot put, discus) claimed two wins each.