J.D. Costanzo’s Clutch Hit Propels NA To Walk-Off Win
West Virginia University commit J.D. Costanzo delivered a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to lift North Allegheny to a 4-3 triumph over Seneca Valley. NA’s two-run rally in the final frame of the rubber match locked up a series win over Seneca Valley.
In a well-pitched contest between NA southpaw Jackson Walsh and SV starting hurler Nick Parrotto, the Tigers scratched across the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning when junior Mason Smith raced home from third base on a pick-off throw to first base.
Seneca Valley tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second inning when Owen Malak drove home Ryan Piekutoski with an RBI single.
The Tigers regained the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the fourth inning when junior Sean O’Donnell‘s two-out RBI single plated junior Augie Maslo.
NA’s one-run lead remained intact until the top of the sixth as senior Mike DelDuca’s run-scoring double drove home Zachary Tkatch to knot the score at 2-2.
In the top of the seventh, the Raiders surged ahead for the first time all game thanks to a two-out RBI single from senior Luke Anderton. While the clutch hit by Anderton gave SV a 3-2 lead, junior reliever Nico Varlotta checked into the game and struck out DelDuca with runners at the corners, limiting the damage to just one run. The runners left on base by the Raiders would prove pivotal a half-inning later.
Parrotto, who limited the Tigers to just four hits through six innings, allowed a one-out single to Smith to spark a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Matthew Parreaguirre, who was the final batter faced by Parrotto before he reached the 100-pitch count limit, fanned the flames even further when he reached base on catcher’s interference. Seneca Valley reliever Nathan Lemke immediately committed a balk upon entering the contest, advancing runners to second and third. Senior Owen Schall capitalized with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, tying the game at 3-3. With Parreaguirre at second base and two outs, Seneca Valley elected to intentionally walk Naval Academy commit David Posey to instead face Costanzo. Costanzo made the Raiders pay for their decision by stroking a line drive to left centerfield that scored Parreaguirre and the Tigers prevailed, 4-3, in walk-off fashion.
Southpaw Jackson Walsh fanned five batters in 6.2 innings of work.
Varlotta, who faced only one batter and struck him out, earned the victory in his first appearance of the season. Walsh pitched well, going 6.2 innings and allowing three runs with five strikeouts and two walks, one intentional. Parrotto was the hard-luck loser for the Raiders, working 6.1 innings and allowing four runs (one earned) with eight strikeouts and just one walk.
With the win, North Allegheny improves to 11-3 overall and 8-1 in Section 1-6A. Seneca Valley falls to 7-6-1 overall and 4-5 in the section. The Tigers will return to action on Friday with a non-section home game against Shaker Heights (OH).
Line Score - Baseball vs. Seneca Valley- 04/25/2024
| Score by Innings | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Valley | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| North Allegheny | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1 |