Baseball News

by Dave Floyd

North Allegheny took advantage of eight Pine-Richland walks in the fourth and fifth innings to score nine runs and institute the mercy rule in a 10-0 Section 1-AAAA victory Monday night. The Tigers also tallied nine hits—all singles—and received a quality outing from senior pitcher Neil Woods to help secure the home win.

After Woods blanked the Rams in the top of the first inning, North Allegheny jumped in front in the bottom of the frame. Junior left fielder Keegan Phillips led off with a single and eventually came around to score when senior Ryan Hamm grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

Neither team managed a baserunner in either the second or third innings before North Allegheny broke the game open with five runs in the fourth and put it away with four in the fifth.

Phillips finished 3-of-4 from the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Other Tigers helping to spearhead the offense included senior shortstop Garrett Hagen (1-for-1, three walks, two RBI and a run scored), sophomore third baseman Alex Mesaros (1-for-2, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored), and senior right fielder Joe Fitzgerald (1-for-2, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored).

On the mound, Woods improved to 3-0 by tossing five innings of two-hit ball and striking out one. The right-hander allowed only four base runners—two on errors—and at one point retired nine-straight Rams. For his efforts, Woods earned the honor of Wright Automotive Player of the Game.

With the win, North Allegheny improves to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in section play. Pine-Richland drops to 5-4 overall and 0-2 in Section 1-AAAA. The Tigers return to action Tuesday when they host Butler. First pitch in that section contest is slated for 7 p.m.

Baseball vs. Pine-Richland - 04/13/2015

North Allegheny - 10 Pine-Richland-0
WP - Neil Woods (3-0) LP - Rob Riggatire

Score by Innings	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Pine-Richland	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
N. Allegheny	1	0	0	5	4	10	9	1