Rocky Grove fends off C. W. North Catholic

It became clear just how good Rocky Grove starting pitcher Travis Perry is after he was pulled with a tworun lead in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday against Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic.

Perry struck out 12 and walked three, limiting the Trojans to no runs, three hits in 6⅔ innings in what eventually turned into a 2-1 victory for Rocky Grove in the PIAA Class 2A semifnal at Neshannock Hight School.

But once he was taken out, it took two relievers for Rocky Grove to get that final out after North Catholic mustered a run in the bottom of the seventh.

“That’s just what we’ve done all year and we just couldn’t get [it],” North Catholic coach John Haggerty said of the effort.

“Our boys just never quit all season long, and that’s why we’re here.”

Travis Perry struck out two in the bottom of the seventh before reaching his pitch count. He struck out the last four batters he faced.

Reliever Tyler Knupp allowed a double to Trojans senior outfielder Nate Saar and hit senior infielder James Williams with a pitch before being pulled for reliever Scott Perry.

Scott Perry gave up a single to Daniel Lynch and Saar scored, making it 2-1, as Williams advanced to second base. Senior catcher Luc Madonna flied out to right field for the elusive final out.

In the third inning, Lynch walked, then tried to score on an error, but was called out at home.

In the top of the fifth, Rocky Grove right fielder Tyler Clayton led off with a double and moved to third on a bunt by second baseman Koby Winslow. With Clayton at third and Winslow at second, Knupp singled home Clayton and moved Winslow to third, giving Rocky Grove a onerun lead.

A Travis Perry groundout scored Winslow, and Rocky Grove made it 2-0.

North Catholic sophomore starting pitcher Ryan Feczko held Rocky Grove to two runs on five hits, striking out seven in seven innings.

“Fans got to witness the two best pitchers in 2A right now,” Haggerty said.

“We knew coming in it was going to be that kind of battle. We saw it. [Travis Perry], he wanted it just as bad as we did, and I wish I could have that third inning back and kind of do things a little differently, but that’s just how baseball goes.”