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VARSITY BASEBALL

* GAME SUMMARIES *

TIGERS HOLD OFF SENECA VALLEY, 6-4

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The Tigers built a 6-1 lead going into the seventh inning and held off a late Seneca Valley rally to beat the Raiders at a windy and rainy Senior High field on Tuesday afternoon.  Senior shortstop John Quimby had a triple and a single while junior DH Brian Roberts and senior pinch-hitter Josh Hungerman added doubles in a nine-hit NA attack.  Senior righthander Mike Birsic pitched 6 1/3 innings to record his fourth victory without a loss.

The Raiders got on the board first with an unearned run in the top of the first inning.  After the first two batters were retired by Birsic, catcher Kevan Smith hit a hard drive that was not played by the Tiger second baseman.  After a wild pitch moved Smith to second, DH Jason Davis hit a high fly to left field that the wind blew away from NA left fielder Mike Niggle with the ball falling for an RBI single.  Birsic got the final out on a pop fly to second base, but the Raiders held a 1-0 lead after one half inning.

In the bottom of the first inning, Quimby singled off the pitcher's glove for an infield single.  With two outs, senior catcher Pat Trettel reached on an error.  With two outs, junior right fielder Harry Austin grounded into a force play to end the inning.  Birsic was able to retire the Raiders on just one hit over the next two innings.  The Tigers came back in the bottom of the third to take the lead.  With one out, senior center fielder Blake Jurena was hit by a pitch.  Quimby followed with a long drive into the left center field alley scoring Jurena as Quimby stopped at third with a triple.  Senior 1B Mike Juliano then hit a fly ball to right field scoring Quimby on the sacrifice fly.  The Tigers led, 2-1, after three innings.

After allowing a lead off single to Davis in the top of the fourth inning, Birsic got the next three batters to keep the lead at 2-1.  In the bottom of the fourth, Austin led off with a single up the middle.  Roberts followed with a long drive into right center with Austin moving to third.  When the throw from the outfield went past the SV catcher, Austin scored and Roberts moved over to third.  With one out, Niggel hit a fly ball to center field deep enough to score Roberts with the fourth NA run.  After four innings, the Tigers held a 4-1 advantage.

In the top of the fifth, right fielder Ryan Roble reached on a Tiger error.  After Birsic got the next two outs, pitcher Nick Hull singled to right field.  With two outs, Birsic got Smith on a fly ball to right field to end the inning.  At this point, the wind and rain forced a stoppage of play as the teams, umpires, and broadcast crew all headed for cover. 

When play resumed in the bottom of the inning, Quimby reached on a Raider error with one out.  After two were out, Trettel slapped a hard single up the middle and Quimby scored when the Seneca outfielder misplayed the ball.  The Tigers took a 5-1 lead into the top of the sixth.  In the top of the sixth, second baseman Johnny Sklarsky singled to left field with one out.  First baseman Derek Andrekovich hit a ground ball to second baseman Dave Bergstrom who got Skarsky at second.  Sklarsky was called for interference and Andrekovich was called out to complete the double play to end the inning.  

In the bottom of the sixth, with one out Mulzet reached on an infield single.  Hungerman followed with a pinch-hit double into the left center field alley.  Senior Rory Miller pinch-hit for Bergstrom and hit a ground ball to second.  The Raiders got Mulzet in a rundown between third and home for the second out with the Tiger runners advancing to second and third.  Jurena followed with a base hit to score Hungerman with the sixth Tiger run as NA took a 6-1 lead into the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, Birsic got the first out on a ground ball to short.  Roble followed with a double to left and left fielder Jim Burry hit a single to score Roble.  After Duggan singled to left, Head Coach Tim Banner brought junior Kyle Smith in to pitch.  Trettel made a quick throw to second to pick off Burry for the second out of the inning.  Hull and Smith then walked to load the bases.  Davis was hit by a pitch forcing in another run to make it 6-3.  A wild pitch scored Kyle Petrucci, who was running for Hull, with the fourth Seneca run.  With the tying runs on at second and third, Smith struck out Sklarsky on a called third strike to end the game.

It was a tough game played under adverse weather conditions from the outset.  With the wind blowing at 20 mph and gusts to 30 or 35, it made catching fly balls an adventure.  After the stoppage of play in the fifth inning, rain was added to the mix.  The Tigers held on, however, to keep their perfect section record in tact.  For his efforts at the plate and in the field, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected John Quimby as the Player of the Game.

The win kept the Tigers undefeated in section play with a 7-0 record and improved their overall mark to 12-1.  NA will travel to Shaler this afternoon to meet the Titans in a battle for first place in Section 1-AAAA.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.  The MSA Sports Network will broadcast the game live on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 6  SENECA VALLEY - 4

WP - Mike Birsic (4-0)     LP - Nick Hull

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STARK TOSSES NO-HITTER AT FRANKLIN REGIONAL, 10-0

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Senior righthander Justin Stark pitched a five inning no-hitter as the Tigers blanked Franklin Regional, 10-0, at the Senior High field on Thursday afternoon.  Senior first baseman Mike Juliano slammed a two-run first inning homer and senior DH Pat Trettel had a pair of doubles to pace an 11-hit NA attack.  

In the top of the first, Stark got the first two batters on ground balls before walking Panther shortstop Jeff Vincent.  With the count at 1-1, Vincent tried to steal second but was cut down by NA catcher Brian Roberts to end the inning.

In the bottom of the first, the Tigers put four on the board for the second straight game.  Senior CF Blake Jurena led off with a line drive single to left field and then stole second.  After a fly out to left and a pop up to short, Trettel came through with a long double off the fence in left center field to score Jurena with the game's first run.  Junior right fielder Harry Austin followed with a hard single to left moving Trettel to third.  A wild pitch scored Trettel as the NA lead went to 2-0.  Juliano hit a drive over the right center field fence to score Austin and give the Tigers a 4-0 advantage after one inning.

Stark struck out two as he set the side down in order in the top of the second.  Jurena walked with two outs in the bottom of the inning but was thrown out attempting to steal.  In the top of the third, Panther pitcher Mike Pelekanos drew a one-out walk, but again Stark was able to retire the final two batters without any scoring.

The Tigers took command of the contest in the bottom of the third.  Senior shortstop John Quimby lined a double into the left center field alley to lead off the inning.  Senior LF Tim Merolillo followed with a base hit up the middle that scored Quimby to make it a 5-0 game.  Trettel then hit his second double of the game, this time into the right center field alley, to score Quimby and increase the lead to 6-0.  It was Austin's turn next and the Tiger junior hit a long drive to the fence in left for a triple that scored Trettel.  With a 1-0 count, Juliano hit a line shot that hit Austin in foul territory as he led off third base.  Austin left the game and did not return.  Juliano then hit a long drive off the top of the fence in left-center field to score pinch runner Rory Miller and increase the Tiger margin to 8-0.  After a wild pitch put Juliano on third, Roberts drew a walk.  Senior third baseman Evan Mulzet got into the act with a long double into left center field to score Juliano with the ninth Tiger run.  When junior second baseman Dave Bergstrom grounded to third, Juliano scored the tenth and final Tiger tally.  NA held a 10-0 lead after three innings.

After Stark retired the side in order in the top of the fourth, junior Geoff Lang sliced a double down the left field line with two outs in the bottom of the inning.  A ground out ended the inning with NA still on top, 10-0.  In the top of the fifth, right fielder Tony Buccilli hit a slow grounder to second was was not fielded cleanly  allowing Buccilli to reach on the error. After a fly out to right, catcher Shane Barie grounded to Lang who touched first and then threw to Quimby for the tag at second to end the game.

Stark was in control for the entire game, striking out four and walking only two in earning his second victory without a loss.  For his efforts, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Justin Stark as the Player of the Game.

The win was the third straight for the Tigers as they improved their overall record to 11-1 on the season.  NA will return to section play on Monday when they host the Seneca Valley Raiders at the Senior High field.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 10  FRANKLIN REGIONAL - 0

WP - Justin Stark (2-0)     LP - Mike Pelekanos 

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TIGERS BLANK NORTH HILLS, 5-0, TO MAINTAIN SECTION LEAD

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Senior lefthander Josh Hungerman tossed six innings of shutout baseball to pace the Tigers to a 5-0 victory over North Hills at the Senior High field on Wednesday afternoon.  The Tigers scored four runs in the first inning and it was more than enough as Hungerman stopped the Indians on three hits.  Senior catcher Pat Trettel had two hits and an RBI, and senior CF Blake Jurena stole three bases.

In the top of the first, second baseman Brian Wisniewski singled with one out.  Hungerman got the next two batters on fly balls to end the inning.  In the bottom of the first, the first two Tiger batters struck out.  After senior LF Tim Merolillo drew a walk, Trettel followed with a base hit to right field with Merolillo moving to third.  After courtesy runner Jon Kramer stole second, junior right fielder Harry Austin hit a hard single to left field scoring both Merolillo and Kramer to give NA a 2-0 lead with Austin moving to second on the throw to the plate.  Senior 1B Mike Juliano beat out an infield single with Austin advancing to third.  Junior DH Brian Roberts followed with a line single to left center field scoring Austin.  When the ball was bobbled in center field, Juliano came home to score the fourth NA run.  After one inning, the Tigers held a 4-0 advantage.

After Hungerman got the Indians on three ground outs in the top of the second, the Tigers scored again.  Sophomore second baseman Dave Bergstrom beat out an infield single to deep short.  After Jurena forced Bergstrom at second, Jurena stole second base.  After a strike out, Jurena stole third.  With two outs, Trettel drove a base hit up the middle to score Jurena and give the Tigers a 5-0 lead after two innings.

Both pitchers retired the side in order over the next two innings.  In the top of the fifth, NH center fielder Ryan Lehmeier singled with one out.  Lehmeier attempted to steal second but he was out on a perfect throw by Trettel.  In the bottom of the fifth, Trettel reached on a error.  Courtesy runner Jon Kramer tried to steal center and he was thrown out by Indian catcher Marc Morris.  The Tigers still led, 5-0, after five innings.

The Indians threatened in the top of the sixth.  After Morris led off with a single, Mike Schubring went in to run.  Third baseman John Bearer was hit by a pitch putting runners on at first and second with no outs.  Hungerman came back to strike out the next two batters, both on called third strikes.  Shortstop Andrew Heck followed with a ground ball to short that took a bad hop off Quimby's glove.  Bearer was called for out for interference, however, for the third out to end the inning.  The Tigers failed to score in the bottom of the sixth as Indian pitcher Brian Long kept the Tigers without a hit or a run over the last four innings.

In the top of the seventh, junior Kyle Smith came in to pitch for NA.  After hitting first baseman Evan Banner to start the inning, Smith got the next three batters to preserve the win.  It was a strange game in some respects.  With the wind gusting at 20-25 miles per hour at times and blowing in toward the plate, there were no extra base hits in the game.   There were three interference calls resulting in outs.   In addition, there were six called strike outs in the game. 

The win was the sixth in section play without a loss for NA and kept the Tigers in first place after the first half of section play.  The overall NA record improved to 10-1 on the season.  The Tigers will host Seneca Valley on Monday afternoon as the second half of section play begins.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  NORTH HILLS - 0

WP - Josh Hungerman (5-0)     LP - Brian Long

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TRETTEL'S HOME RUN GIVES TIGERS 7-6 VICTORY OVER AMBRIDGE

Senior catcher Pat Trettel slammed a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead an NA comeback in a 7-6 victory over Ambridge at the Senior High field on Tuesday afternoon.  Senior shortstop John Quimby also homered and senior 1B Mike Juliano had a two-run double.  Senior righthander Mike Birsic picked up the victory for NA.

The Tigers erupted for four runs in the bottom of the first to take a 4-0 lead.  The Bridgers came back to score a single run in the third and two more in the fifth to cut the margin to 4-3.  After NA made it 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth, Ambridge came back to take a 6-5 advantage going into the bottom of the sixth.  Trettel's home run in the bottom half of the inning gave the Tigers the lead for good as they went on to the 7-6 victory.

The win in the non-section game improved the NA overall record to 9-1 on the season.  The Tigers will host rival North Hills this afternoon at the Senior High field.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 7  AMBRIDGE - 6

WP - Mike Birsic (3-0)      LP - Thomas

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TIGERS HOME RUNS CRUSH KISKI AREA, 13-2

The Tigers rebounded after their first loss of the season to defeat Kiski Area, 13-2, at Kiski on Monday afternoon.  The Tigers broke open a close game with five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to capture the section victory.  Senior catcher Pat Trettel hit a grand slam home run and senior 1B Mike Juliano added a two-run shot.  Senior lefthander Tim Merolillo allowed only five hits and struck out seven to earn the win.

The Tigers scored single runs in the first and third innings to take a 2-1 lead before the Cavaliers scored in the bottom of the third to cut the margin to 2-1.  In the top of the first, senior center fielder Blake Jurena walked and stole second.  Merolillo followed with a base hit to give NA a 1-0 lead after one half inning.  In the top of the third after sophomore 2B Dave Bergstrom walked, Jurena sacrificed him to second.  Senior shortstop John Quimby followed with a base hit moving Bergstrom to third.  Merolillo hit into a fielder's choice with Bergstrom scoring to make it 2-0.

In the top of the fourth, junior right fielder Harry Austin manufactured a Tiger run.  After Austin singled, he stole second.  When the throw went into center field, Austin headed for third.  The throw from center field went into the stands and Austin scored to give NA a 3-1 lead  

It remained a two-run game until NA exploded for five in the top of the fifth to take a 7-1 advantage.  After Quimby walked, Merolillo singled with Quimby reaching third.  After Quimby stole second, Austin came through with a two-run single to increase the NA lead to 5-1.  Senior third baseman Evan Mulzet then doubled Austin home to make it a 6-1 game.  Juliano followed with a two-run homer as the Tigers extended the lead to 8-1 after four and a half innings.

After Kiski got one back in the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers put another five spot on the board in the top of the sixth.  Junior Brian Roberts drew a walk as a pinch-hitter to lead off.  After Jurena reached on an error, Merolillo walked to load the bases.  Trettel then blasted a grand slam home run to give NA a commanding 12-2 advantage.  The Tigers were not done, however.  After Austin reached on an error and stole second, Juliano brought him home with a base hit, giving Juliano five RBIs on the day.  The Tigers took a 13-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth.  When Kiski could not score in the bottom half of the inning, the Tigers walked away with a 13-2 win courtesy of the ten-run rule.

The Tigers will host Ambridge this afternoon for a non-section contest against the Bridgers with game time set for 4:00 pm. The game has been changed to the Senior High field.  NA will host rival North Hills tomorrow afternoon at the Senior High field.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 13  KISKI AREA - 2

WP - Tim Merolillo (3-0)      LP - Derek Fallecker

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TIGER ERRORS LEAD TO FIRST LOSS

The Tigers committed seven errors at Connellsville on Friday afternoon as they dropped their first game of the season in a 6-5 loss to the Falcons.  Senior left fielder Tim Merolillo got the only extra base hit of the game, a double in the seventh inning.  Senior Justin Stark and junior Kyle Smith combined to allow only three Falcon hits, but the errors did in the Tigers.

Connellsville jumped off to a 4-0 lead after one inning but the Tigers rallied to tie the score.  A single run in the fourth and three more in the fifth tied the game at 4-4.  Rich Schliehauf singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth, the first Falcon hit since the first inning.  Two Tiger errors, however, led to two unearned runs that gave Connellsville a 6-4 lead going into the top of the seventh.  Merolillo doubled home a run in the seventh, but Falcon relief pitcher Josh Coffman was able to retire the Tigers without further scoring.

The non-section loss dropped the overall NA record to 7-1.  The Tigers will be back in action again on Monday when they travel to Kiski Area for a Section 1 contest.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

(Thanks to the Tribune-Review for information in this report!)

GAME SUMMARY
CONNELLSVILLE - 6  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5

WP - Josh Coffman     LP - Kyle Smith (0-1)

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TIGERS BLAST BUTLER, 19-4, FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT

The Tigers scored nine runs in the first inning and never looked back on their way to a 19-4 victory over Butler at the Senior High field on Wednesday afternoon.  Senior LF Tim Merolillo and senior 3B Evan Mulzet both hit home runs as the Tigers pounded out 11 hits.  Senior LHP Josh Hungerman got the win for the Tigers.

After taking a 9-1 lead after one inning, NA added a run in the second and two more in the third to take a 12-3 lead after three innings.  After Butler put a run on the board in the top of the fourth, the Tigers scored seven in the bottom half of the inning to take the victory by virtue of the 15-run rule.  Jim McCaslin doubled for Butler for one of their six hits.  The Tornado committed six errors in the contest.

The victory improved the NA section record to 4-0, the overall mark to 7-0.  The Tigers will travel to Connellsville tomorrow afternoon to meet the #6 ranked Falcons.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 19  BUTLER - 4

WP - Josh Hungerman (4-0)     LP - Mike Woodward

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TIGERS TOP FOX CHAPEL, 4-2, TO STAY UNBEATEN

After spotting Fox Chapel a 2-0 lead early, the Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning on their way to a 4-2 victory over Fox Chapel at the Senior High field on Monday afternoon.  Senior Tim Merolillo doubled to score a run and senior John Quimby followed with a triple to give the Tigers the lead for good.

The Foxes scored twice in the top of the third behind doubles from senior Brett Horowitz and sophomore Chris Murphy before the Tigers came back with three in the bottom half of the inning to take a 3-2 lead.  NA added an insurance run on their way to the 4-2 victory.  Senior right hander Mike Birsic earned his second victory against no losses.

The win improved the NA section record to 3-0, the overall mark to 6-0.  The Tigers will host Butler tomorrow afternoon in a section contest at the Senior High field.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  FOX CHAPEL - 2

WP - Mike Birsic (2-0)     LP - Chris Harner

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TIGERS STOP SHALER, 10-2, IN BATTLE OF TOP TWO TEAMS

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Senior left hander Josh Hungerman went the distance and allowed only two runs and five hits as the top-ranked Tigers crushed #2 Shaler, 10-2, at the Senior High field on Friday afternoon.  Senior LF Tim Merolillo blasted a two-run triple, senior catcher Pat Trettel slammed a three-run double, and junior LF Harry Austin continued his hot hitting with two hits including a two-run home run to pace the Tigers.

The Tiger defense played well in backing up Hungerman's performance.  After senior 1B Ryan Derbis slapped a single to right field with one out in the top of the first, senior shortstop John Quimby fielded a hard ground ball by senior SS Brian Bernardo and turned it into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.  In the top of the second, Hungerman struck out the side to keep the game scoreless.

In the bottom of the second, senior right hander Jordan Karcher, a former NA player, had trouble finding the plate and it cost him.  After Austin led off with a line drive single to left, senior 1B Mike Juliano lined out to second.  After Austin stole second and a wild pitch moved him to third, senior DH Mike Niggel drew a walk.  Senior 3B Evan Mulzet then dropped down a bunt to score Austin and give NA a 1-0 lead.  After sophomore second baseman Dave Bergstrom struck out, the pitch got away from Shaler catcher Corey Yokel and Bergstrom reached base safely.  Another wild pitch moved both runners up, and senior CF Blake Jurena received a free pass to load the bases with two outs.  Merolillo followed with a walk, the third of the inning, to force in a run and give the Tigers a 2-0 lead after two innings.

After one out in the top of the third, junior CF Tom Neiman hit a long triple over Jurena's head in center field.  Senior SS Brian Schwartzbauer followed with a single over second base as Shaler cut the lead to 2-1.  Juliano then helped the Tiger cause with a good stop on a ground ball to start a 3-6-3 double play to end the inning.

After Hungerman got the Titans in order in the top of the fourth, the Tigers added three more runs in the bottom of the inning.  With one out, Bergstrom was walked.  After Jurena drew another walk from Karcher, Merolillo hit a 2-0 pitch into the right center field alley for a triple to score both runners and give NA a 4-0 advantage. The hit finished Karcher's day on the mound as shortstop Bernardo came in to pitch for the Titans.   Once again, Coach Tim Banner went for the squeeze play with Quimby executing a perfect bunt to score Merolillo with the fifth Tiger run.  After four innings, NA had a 5-0 lead.

Hungerman continued to mow down the Shaler hitters, retiring the side in order in both the fifth and sixth innings.  The Tigers broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs.  Mulzet led off with a single up the middle and Bergstrom sacrificed him to second.   After a walk to Jurena, Merolillo was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  With two outs, Trettel hit a long drive off the fence in right center field that cleared the bases and gave NA an 8-0 lead.  Austin followed with a shot over the left center field fence, the first home run of the season for the Tigers, as the lead ballooned to 10-1.  Juliano then hit a double into the left center field alley, the third consecutive extra base hit for the Tigers, before Bernardo could get the final out of the inning.  After six innings, the Tigers held a commanding 10-1 advantage.

Shaler got a consolation run in the top of the seventh.  After Bernardo singled between short and third to lead off, Karcher hit a long double to center to score Bernardo.  Hungerman then settled down to get the final three outs, the last two on strikeouts, as the Tigers wrapped up a convincing 10-2 victory.  For his efforts on the mound, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Josh Hungerman as the Player of the Game.

With the win, the Tigers improved their section record to 2-0, their overall mark to 5-0.  The Tigers continue section play on Monday when they travel to Fox Chapel for a 4:00 pm contest against the Foxes.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 10  SHALER - 2

WP - Josh Hungerman (3-0)     LP - Jordan Karcher

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TIGERS DOMINATE SENECA VALLEY, 13-0

To listen to a replay of the game, click here!

The Tigers pounded out 11 hits on their way to a 13-0 victory over Seneca Valley in the section opener at Seneca Valley on Wednesday afternoon.  Junior right fielder Harry Austin had a triple and a double good for three RBIs to pace NA while senior catcher Pat Trettel and sophomore 2B Dave Bergstrom added a double and a single each.  Senior left hander Tim Merolillo allowed only two hits in posting the shutout.

The game had a bizarre beginning when Seneca starting pitcher John Sklarsky hit the first three NA batters.  Senior CF Blake Jurena, Merolillo, and senior shortstop John Quimby were all hit by pitches to load the bases with no outs.  Sklarsky came back to strike out the next two batters, but Austin followed with a long drive to right field that cleared the bases.  When the relay throw to third went into the Seneca dugout, Austin came home and the Tigers had a 4-0 lead after one half inning.

In the bottom of the second, Seneca Valley had runners on at first and second with one out, but Merolillo retired the next two batters to keep the lead at 4-0.  Austin doubled with one out in the top and the third and then stole third base.  Sklarsky was able to retire the next two batters on short fly balls to right field and the Tigers did not score.  

In the bottom of the third, the Raiders came close to scoring.  After junior CF Zack Duggan drew a walk to lead off the inning, freshman Mike Eonta dropped a fly ball into left center field.  When the ball took a bad hop past Jurena, Duggan tried to score.  Quimby's relay to the plate was caught by Trettel up the third base line where the Tiger catcher blocked the plate and made the tag.  Merolillo again got the next two outs and the Tigers still led, 4-0, after three innings.

The Tigers broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning with a seven-run outburst.  Bergstrom opened with a single to left field, and Jurena followed with a base hit up the middle.  Merolillo dropped a bunt along the third base line and when catcher Kevan Smith dropped the ball the bases were loaded.  After a strike out, senior 1B Mike Juliano walked to drive in the fifth NA run.  Trettel followed with a two-strike single to left field to make it a 6-0 NA advantage.  After two outs, senior 3B Evan Mulzet drew a walk to force in another run.  Senior LF Mike Niggel then lined a base hit to left field to score two more runs and the rout was on.  Bergstrom followed with a long double to left center field, his second hit of the inning, to drive in two more runs.  The Tigers took an 11-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth.

In the top of the fifth, the Tigers added another pair of runs.  After junior PH Brian Roberts was hit by a pitch, the fourth NA batter that was hit, Quimby dropped a single into left field.  With one out, Trettel doubled to deep left center field driving in Roberts.  After a walk to Austin to load the bases, Quimby scored on Mulzet's slow ground ball to third.  The Tigers led, 13-0, going into the bottom of the fifth.  With the mercy rule in effect, Merolillo retired three of the four batters he faced in the bottom of the fifth to finish off the Raiders.

It was an important victory for the Tigers in the first ever game played in Section 1-AAAA.  Shaler was able to hold on against Butler, 7-6, in their opener.  NA played good defense behind Merolillo and came through with key hits to earn the early lead.  For his efforts on the mound, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Tim Merolillo as the Player of the Game. 

The victory in the section opener improved the overall NA record to 4-0 as they get ready for the showdown tomorrow.  The #1 Tigers will host #2 Shaler at the Senior High field with game time set for 4:00 pm.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 13  SENECA VALLEY - 0

WP - Tim Merolillo  LP - John Sklarsky

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TWO TIGERS NAMED TO PHSBCA ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM

Last summer, the Pennsylvania High School Baseball Coaches Association released the 2004 PHSBCA All State First and Second teams.  Unfortunately, the information was not made available to the local media.  Two Tigers were selected to the First Team All-Stars.  Both players are seniors on this year's team--- Pat Trettel was selected as the catcher and Mike Juliano as the designated hitter.

CONGRATULATIONS TO PAT AND MIKE!!!!!

PHSBCA 2004 ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM

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TIGERS BLANK PENN HILLS, 4-0, IN HOME OPENER

The Tigers shut out Penn Hills, 4-0, at the Senior High field on Thursday afternoon in the home opener.  Senior pitchers Josh Hungerman pitched four innings and Tim Merolillo three allowing only one hit in sharing the shutout.  Senior LF Mike Niggel had the big hit, a two-out, bases loaded single in the sixth inning.  NA has posted single runs in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead early.

The Tigers will open section play next Wednesday at Seneca Valley.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  PENN HILLS -  0

WP - Josh Hungerman

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TIGERS WIN TWO IN SOUTH CAROLINA

The Tigers won two games against WPIAL competition on Thursday in Columbia, South Carolina.  In the first game, NA defeated Keystone Oaks, 13-3, in a game that was shortened to six innings because of the ten rule rule.  In the nightcap, the Tigers downed Montour, 4-1.

In the first game, the Tigers jumped off to an 8-3 lead after three innings and never looked back.  Junior Harry Austin led the way with three hits in four at bats as NA pounded out 21 hits.  Senior Blake Jurena and junior Bryan Roberts had two doubles each in the victory.  Senior pitcher Mike Birsic earned the victory.  In the second game, the Tigers defeated the Montour Spartans, 4-1.  We do not have details of the game at this time.

The Tigers will return home on Saturday in preparation for next week's games.  On Tuesday, NA will travel to Penn Hills for 3:45 non-section contest.  On Wednesday, the Tigers will entertain the McKeesport Tigers in the home opener at the Senior High field.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

The North Allegheny Sports Network will be there on Wednesday to broadcast the game LIVE on the internet.  The pre-game show is set for 3:45 with the first pitch at 4:00 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 13  KEYSTONE OAKS - 3

WP - Mike Birsic     LP - Harry Munson

(Thanks to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for game info)

NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  MONTOUR - 1
(No information available)

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HUNGERMAN SIGNS WITH CLEVELAND STATE

Senior left-handed pitcher Josh Hungerman has signed a national letter of intent to play at Cleveland State University next year.  Hungerman was 7-0 with a 2.43 ERA last season.  The Tiger southpaw walked only nine while striking out 39 in 40.1 innings.  CSU head coach Jay Murphy said, "Josh has the potential to do two things as a freshman.  I expect him to be a front-of-the-line starting pitcher and to contribute offensively as a first baseman or outfielder."

The Tigers will travel to Columbia, South Carolina, next week as they open the 2005 campaign.  NA will have scrimmages on Tuesday and Wednesday before playing games on Thursday and Saturday.

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org