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GAME SUMMARIES

FOX CHAPEL OVERWHELMS TIGERS, 13-4

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The Fox Chapel Foxes scored six runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back as they defeated the Tigers, 13-4, at the Senior High field on Tuesday afternoon.  Junior pitcher Joe Noro, Jr., led the Foxes with four hits, including two doubles.  Senior DH Brian Roberts and junior left fielder Rich Doyle had two hits each to pace NA.

The Foxes took control of the game from the outset as they scored six runs on six hits, including a pair of doubles in the top of the first.  Fox Chapel added another run in the second and four more in the third to take a commanding 11-0 lead before the Tigers could score.

In the bottom of the third, Doyle led off with a single to right field.  After second baseman Phil Greenblatt was hit by a pitch, senior CF Harry Austin followed with a single to right field to load the bases.  Junior RF Andy Trettel was then hit by a pitch to force in the first NA run of the game.  Junior 1B Marek Lapinski followed with a single to left field to drive in the second run of the inning.  Roberts hit a sacrifice fly to center field to cut the lead to 11-3 with just one out.  Junior shortstop Dave Bergstrom then hit a line shot to center field. FC's Chris Murphy made a diving catch, got up and throw to first for a double play to end the inning.  Fox Chapel led, 11-3, after three innings.

The Tigers added another run in the bottom of the fourth.  Senior Geoff Lang, who had come in to pitch after starting in left field, was hit by a pitch to start the inning.  After a walk to junior catcher Ian Overbaugh, Doyle  hit into a force play.  With one out, Austin hit into another force play with Lang scoring.  Noro, Jr., was able to get the third out on a strikeout to end the inning.

Fox Chapel added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.  The Tigers had only one hit over the last three innings as the Foxes prevailed, 13-4.

With the loss, the NA section record dropped to 2-2, the overall mark to 4-3.  The Tigers will host Ambridge in a section game tomorrow at the Senior High field.  Game time is scheduled for 3:00 pm with a JV contest with Hampton to follow at 5:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY
FOX CHAPEL - 13  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4

WP - Joe Noro, Jr. (3-0)  LP - Rick Raraigh (1-1)

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WATSON HOLDS BUTLER TO ONE HIT
IN 6-0 VICTORY

Senior Chris Watson pitched a one-hitter to lead the Tigers to a 6-0 section victory at Butler on Monday afternoon.  The Tigers pounded out nine hits, led by junior Phil Greenblatt's double.

The Tigers scored four in the second inning to take control of the contest.  With Watson keeping the Tornado bats in check, NA continued to hold the four-run lead until the seventh inning when they added two more.

With the win, the Tigers improved their section record to 2-1, their overall mark to 4-2 on the season.  NA will host Fox Chapel this afternoon in a section contest.  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 - 6  BUTLER - 0

WP- Chris Watson (2-0)  LP - Warheight

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TIGERS DOWN SHALER, 5-2, IN EIGHT INNINGS

After seeing Shaler tie the game with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers came back with three in the top of the eighth to defeat the Titans, 5-2, at Matulevic Field on Saturday afternoon.  Senior 1B Marek Lapinski drove in two NA runs with a home run and a single.  Senior right hander Fran Haus allowed only one earned run in seven innings to pick up the victory. 

Neither team could score early in the game.  In the top of the fourth with one out, Lapinski hit a long drive over the right field fence to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.  In the top of the sixth, junior Justin Napper reached on an infield single with one out.  A wild pitch allowed Napper to race all the way to third base where he was replaced by pinch runner Phil Greenblatt.  Lapinski followed with a hard single up the middle to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Shaler was able to score twice with one of the runs unearned to tie the game.  After pinch hitter Brian Bartowicz singled up the middle with one out, a fly ball to center fielder Harry Austin brought the Tigers to within one out of victory.  Troy Hanza drove a long triple to right center field to drive in Bartowicz with the first Shaler run.  Tom Carter followed with a hard ground ball that was misplayed by the NA infield to allow the tying run to score.  Shaler loaded the bases, but Haus retired the side on a hard ground ball to junior SS Dave Bergstrom who got the force at second.   The game went to extra innings tied at 2-2.

In the top of the seventh, the Tigers took control with three runs.  With one out, Austin was hit by a pitch.  Napper followed with a base hit.  Lapinski hit into a force play with Austin moving to third.  With two outs, junior catcher Ian Overbaugh gave the Tigers the lead with an infield single.  Senior 1B Geoff Lang followed with a base hit off the first baseman's glove to score Lapinski and increase the lead to 4-2.  A wild pitch allowed the third run of the inning to score as the Tigers took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the inning.    Junior left hander Rick Raraigh earned the save as he set down the side in order in the bottom of the eighth.

The win evened the NA section record at 1-1 and improved the overall mark to 3-2 on the year.  The Tigers will travel to Butler on Monday to meet Butler in a 3:30 pm section contest.  On Tuesday afternoon, NA will host Fox Chapel in a makeup section game.  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 SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  SHALER - 2

WP - Fran Haus (1-0)  LP - Joe Lombardo

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SENECA SCORES THREE IN 12th TO DOWN TIGERS, 7-4

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The Seneca Valley Raiders scored three runs in the top of the 12th inning to defeat the Tigers at the Senior High field on Thursday afternoon.  The game was resumed in the 12th inning after the teams had fought to a 4-4 tie on Tuesday that was suspended because of darkness.

Senior Geoff Lang came in to pitch for the Tigers as play resumed.  First baseman Derek Andrekovich lined the first pitch into center field for a base hit.  Shortstop/pitcher Shaine Patsilevas tried to bunt but missed on the third strike attempt for the first out.  Senior catcher Brian Roberts narrowly missed picking Andrekovich off first after the strikeout.  RF Phil Double followed with a ground ball near second base that was misplayed by the Tigers to put runners on first and second with one out.  Center fielder Zack Duggan was then walked to load the bases.  Lang followed by striking out catcher Kevan Smith on a called strike for the second out.  DH Dan Jergel then got the big hit of the game, a slow ground ball between the pitcher's mound and first base that Jergel was able to beat out for an infield single to give Seneca their first lead of the game at 5-4.  Left fielder Jim Burry drew a walk to force in another run to make it 6-4.  Third baseman Brett Spagnolo followed with another infield single to increase the margin to 7-4 before Lang got the final out on a ground ball force out.

In the bottom of the 12th, the Tiger threatened but could not score against Patsilevas who came in to pitch.  After a ground out for the first out, junior RF Andy Trettel drew a walk.  After a force play at second, Lang lined a single to left center field to bring the tying run to the plate.  Patsilevas was able to get 1B Marek Lapinski to ground into a force play to end the game with Seneca Valley picking up the 7-4 victory.

It was a tough loss for the Tigers in the section opener as they recorded a total of six errors over the two-day period.  The Raiders did not score an earned run against NA.  The loss dropped the NA section record to 0-1, the overall mark to 2-2 on the season.  The Tigers are scheduled to host Fox Chapel this afternoon in a section contest at the Senior High field, weather permitting.  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.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
SENECA VALLEY - 7  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4

WP - Dave Monteleone  LP - Geoff Lang (0-1)

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TIGERS, SENECA VALLEY BATTLE TO 4-4 TIE IN 11 INNINGS

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

After opening a 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Tigers saw Seneca Valley come back to tie the game at 4-4 in the fourth inning.  Neither team could score in the remaining seven innings and darkness forced a stoppage in play. Senior left fielder Geoff Lang hit a two-run homer for the Tigers while senior righthander Fran Haus pitched five scoreless innings to preserve the tie.

The Tigers started quickly in the bottom of the first.  After junior DH Christian Totera was hit by a pitch to lead off, Lang followed with a long home run over the left field fence to give NA a 2-0 lead.  Senior 1B Marek Lapinski followed with a line drive double down the right field line.  With one out, senior catcher Brian Roberts walked and junior Phil Greenblatt went in as a courtesy runner.  A wild pitch moved both runners to third where Lapinski was able to score on a slow ground ball to third by senior 3B Shawn Simon.  Junior shortstop Dave Bergstrom hit a hard ground ball between third and short into left field scoring Greenblatt with the fourth NA run.  After one inning, the Tigers looked like they were on their way with a 4-0 advantage.

In the top of the second, Seneca Valley loaded the bases with two outs on a walk, error and fielders' choice.  Seneca center fielder Zack Duggan lined a base hit to right field driving in two runs but Raider RF Phil Double was cut down at third on a good relay throw by Tiger second baseman Jon Kramer to end the inning.  The Tigers still held a 4-2 lead.  In the bottom of the second, junior right fielder Andy Trettel was hit by a pitch.  With one out, Lang followed with an infield single.  Lapinski then hit a hard ground ball up the middle.  Seneca shortstop Shaine Patsilevas made a diving stop and turned a potential base hit into an inning ending double play.

The Raiders tied the game in the top of the fourth.  With two outs, Double swung and missed a two-strike pitch that was in the dirt.  Double was able to beat the throw to first base.  On the next pitch, Duggan lined a shot over the left field fence for a two-run homer to tie the game at 4-4.  Neither team would score again although both teams threatened.

The Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth on a hit batsman, a walk and a single by Trettel.  Seneca righthander Cory Mazzoni got out of the jam with a strikeout to end the inning.  In the top of the fifth, the Raiders threatened to take the lead.  DH Dan Jergel started the inning with a high pop fly to left field that fell behind Bergstrom for a double.  After a wild pitch moved Jergel to third, Tiger lefthander Rick Raraigh got a comebacker to the mound for the first out.  After a walk, Seneca tried a squeeze play but Raraigh fielded the bunt and threw out Jergel at the plate.  A strikeout ended the inning with the game still tied at 4-4. 

Both teams loaded the bases in the sixth inning but could not score.  Raraigh got out of a one-out jam with a pop fly and a strike out.  In the bottom of the inning with one out, Lang walked, Lapinski singled up the middle and Roberts walked.  With the infield in, Patsilevas was able to get a force out at the plate on a ground ball, and Mazzoni got Simon to ground into a force play to end the inning.

Neither team threatened in the seventh inning as the game went to extra frames.  Both teams had relief pitchers in the game as Haus had come on for NA in the sixth while righthander Dave Monteleone came in to pitch the seventh for the Raiders.  The only Seneca threat came in the top of the tenth, but Haus stranded two runners when he got Seneca catcher Kevan Smith to ground into a force play.

The Tigers had a great chance to win the game in the bottom of the eleventh.  With one out, Lapinski reached on an error.  Roberts and Austin both walked to load the bases.  Monteleone then was able to strike out the next two batters to end the threat.  With darkness closing in, the umpires decided to call play with the game tied at 4-4.

It was a tough game for both teams with cold temperatures and gusty winds throughout the game.  The Tigers committed five overt errors and made several other questionable decisions throughout the game.  Seneca Valley did not score an earned run.  On the other side of the ball, the Raiders also committed three errors to give the Tigers chances to win.  The North Allegheny Sports Network selected relief pitcher Fran Haus as the Player of the Game for his job in keeping Seneca from scoring over the last five innings.

The game will be completed beginning in the 12th inning at a time and place to be decided.  The Tigers will travel to Shaler this afternoon to meet the Titans in another Section 1 contest.  The MSA Sports Network will broadcast the game beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00 pm, weather permitting.

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TIGERS CONTROL CONNELLSVILLE, 9-2

In a game that was stopped by rain after five innings, the Tigers won their second game of the season with a 9-2 victory over Connellsville at the Senior High field on Friday afternoon. 

It was a sloppy game because of the rain as the teams combined for six errors in five innings.  The Tigers opened a 9-1 lead after three innings thanks to four Falcon errors.  After Connellsville scored a run in the top of the fifth, the game was called.  Senior Chris Watson recorded the victory for the Tigers as the Falcons were able to record only two hits.  Andy Schliehauf and Joe Leonard had the only Connellsville hits, both singles.

The win improved the NA non-section record to 2-1.  The Tigers will open section play on Monday afternoon when they host Seneca Valley 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 - 9  CONNELLSVILLE - 2

WP - Chris Watson   LP - Ryan Murphy

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TIGERS EDGE PENN HILLS, 2-1,
FOR FIRST VICTORY

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

An unearned run in the fourth inning gave the Tigers all they needed on their way to a 2-1 victory over Penn Hills at the Senior High field on Tuesday afternoon.  Junior lefthander Rick Raraigh allowed only five hits, no earned runs, and struck out 8 to earn the victory.  Senior 3B Shawn Simon and senior first baseman Geoff Lang hit doubles to lead the NA hitting attack.

In the top of the first, Raraigh allowed a two-out single to Penn Hills' shortstop Keith Borman but got the final out on a fly ball.  In the bottom of the first, the Tigers threatened but did not score.  With two outs, senior CF Harry Austin drew a walk and stole second.  Senior catcher Brian Austin was then hit by a pitch.  After Lang was walked, junior DH Marek Lapinski hit a line shot to left field that was caught on a diving catch by LF Josh Ricketts to end the inning.

The Indians had a chance to score in the top of the second.   After catcher Sean Corbett doubled into right center field, 1B Mike Cafaro reached on an infield single.  After Raraigh struck out the next batter, RF Don Giddens grounded slowly to Simon at third who threw home to get CR Troy Williams trying to score.  A ground out ended the threat.

The Tigers took their first lead of the season in the bottom of the second.  With one out, Simon hit a long drive off the fence in left field for a double.  Senior SS Dave Bergstrom singled to left moving Simon to third.  Bergstrom advanced to second on the throw from the outfield.  Junior leadoff hitter Andy Trettel lifted a fly ball to short center field that was caught by shortstop Borman on a diving catch.  Simon tagged up and scored on the short sacrifice fly ball.  Senior 2B Jon Kramer flied to deep right field for the third out, but the Tigers took a 1-0 lead after two innings.

Penn Hills came back to tie the game in the top of the third with an unearned run.  After Raraigh struck out th first two batters, Keith Borman singled to right field for his second hit of the game.  After pitcher Craig Newham reached on an error, Corbett rolled a ball up the middle into center field scoring Borman to tie tha game at 1-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, Raraigh struck out the side to keep the game tied.  In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers picked up a run that proved to be the game winner.  Lapinski led off with a line drive single into right center field.  After Raraigh sacrificed Lapinski to second, Simon was retired on an infield fly ball. Bergstrom followed with a ground ball into the hole at short, but Borman's throw to first was wide allowing Lapinski to score.  Trettel's fly ball to center field ended the inning, but the Tigers had a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the fifth, Raraigh walked his only batter of the game with two outs.  Borman then tried a delayed steal, but Roberts threw him out at second to end the inning.  Kramer led off the bottom of the inning with a base hit, but was also thrown out attempting to steal as NA did not score.

Senior righthander Fran Haus came on in relief in the top of the sixth.  With two outs, 1B Mike Cafaro singled to left field.  Haus retired the next batter on a short pop up to second to end the inning.  In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers threatened again but did not score.  Lang led off with a long double to left center field but was thrown out trying to make it to third base.  With two outs, junior LF Nick Merolillo was hit by a pitch and Simon followed with a walk.  Newham struck out Bergstrom to end the inning with the Tigers still holding the 2-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh, pinch hitter Craig Borman singled down the right field line with one out.  Haus then got Ricketts on a ground out and struck out Murdy to earn the save and end the game. 

It was a typical late March afternoon with cold weather and light rain, but the Tigers were able to hold on for their first victory.  Despite the weather, both teams made good defensive plays to keep the game close.  For his efforts on the mound, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected junior Rick Raraigh as the Player of the Game.

With the win, the Tigers evened their non-section record at 1-1.  The trip to Rock Hill, South Carolina, this weekend has been canceled.  The next scheduled game is set for next Monday when NA will host Seneca Valley in the section opener.  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 set for 4:00 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2  PENN  HILLS - 1

WP - Rick Raraigh (1-0)  LP - Craig Newham

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CENTRAL TOPS TIGERS, 5-1, IN SEASON OPENER

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

The Tigers were held to only two hits by Central righthander Shane Liska as the Vikings downed the Tigers, 5-1, in the season opener at the Senior High field on Monday afternoon.  Juniors Andrew Trettel and Marek Lapinski both had doubles for the only NA hits.

Both teams went up and down in order, but Central took the lead in the top of the second.  After shortstop Zac Johns walked, he stole second.  A wild pitch moved Johns to third, and right fielder Quentin Williams brought him home with a sacrifice fly to right field.  Catcher Brandon Haburjak was hit by a pitch but his courtesy runner, Tony Schluep, was thrown out trying to steal by Tiger senior catcher Brian Roberts.  Left fielder John Hess followed with a walk, but Roberts threw him out as he attempted to steal second.  The run put Central ahead, 1-0, after an inning and a half.

In the top of the third, third baseman Matt Tracy singled to right field.  Second baseman Kurt Schaefers followed with a ground ball to NA senior pitcher Kyle Smith who started a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.  The Tigers tied the score in the bottom of the third.  With one out, Trettel lifted a long fly to left field that fell behind Hess for a double.  Hess's throw to second skipped past Schaefers, the Viking second baseman, and allowed Trettel to move to third.  Senior second baseman Jon Kramer followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Trettel with what would be the only NA run of the day.

Both pitchers got the side in order in the fourth inning, but Central took the lead in the top of the fifth.  After a walk to Williams led off the inning, the Vikings put together four straight hits.  Singles by Haburjak, Hess, and DH Dan DeCaria drove in three runs and forced NA head coach Tim Banner to make a pitching change.  Senior left hander Geoff Lang came in from first base to pitch.  Lang got the first two batters on fly balls, but first baseman Frank Quirin singled to short right field, driving in Tracy with the fifth Central run.  After four and a half innings, the Vikings held a 5-1 advantage.

Lang took care of the Vikings in the sixth and seventh innings, but the Tigers could not do much against Liska.  In the bottom of the seventh, Lapinski drilled a long double down the left field line with one out.  After a ground out moved Lapinski to third, Liska got the final out of the game on a checked swing grounder back to the mound.  Central took home a 5-1 victory.

It was a tough day at the plate for the Tigers who struck out 10 times against Liska.  For his efforts at the plate and in the field, the North Allegheny Sports Network selected Andrew Trettel as the NA Player of the Game.

The Tigers will host Penn Hills this afternoon, weather permitting, at the Senior High field.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will broadcast the game LIVE on the internet beginning once again with the pre-game show at 3:45 pm.  The first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

Box Score

GAME SUMMARY
CENTRAL CATHOLIC - 5  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1

WP - Shane Liska   LP - Kyle Smith

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3rd Annual WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Games Set

by Don Rebel

The WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association announced Wednesday that its 3rd Annual All-Star Games will be the highlight of an All-Star Weekend to be held on June 9th and 10th in Washington, Pa. The Weekend provides a venue to feature the talents of many of the top baseball players in the WPIAL.

To kick-off the Weekend, players selected for the games will be honored at an awards banquet open to the public on Friday evening, June 9th at the Hilton Garden Inn – Southpointe. The WPIAL Baseball Coaches will also honor players and coaches of the year in each of the four WPIAL classifications.

The All-Star Weekend continues with an Underclassmen Showcase Saturday, June 10 at 8:00an at Washington & Jefferson’s Ross Memorial Park. Participants in the Showcase will be limited to 2007 high school graduates. Last year’s inaugural Showcase attracted coaches from more than 60 colleges and at least 15 professional teams.

Registration information will be announced at a later date.

The Weekend concludes with the main event, an All-Star doubleheader featuring the top senior baseball players in the WPIAL. The games are scheduled for Saturday, June 10th at Washington & Jefferson’s Ross Memorial Park. The first game of the doubleheader will start at 3:30pm and will pit the WPIAL Class A All-Stars versus the WPIAL Class AA All-Stars. The second game will start at approximately 6:30pm and will match the WPIAL Class AAA All-Stars against the WPIAL Class AAAA All-Stars. Both games can be heard on the MSA Sports Network.

The rain date for the doubleheader is June 11.

“All-Star Weekend has become a major event for local high school baseball,” said Tim Banner, president of the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association. “The Weekend gives us a great opportunity to highlight the accomplishments and skills of our local student-athletes and the quality of local high school baseball.”

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