Seneca Valley opens with 4-1 win

Seneca Valley starter Nate Malak wasn’t unhittable in his appearance against Hempfield.

But he was darned close. Malak allowed two hits and struck out six to lead the No. 8 Raiders (14-7) to a 4-1 victory over the ninth-seeded Spartans (8-13) in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs at Plum.

Alex Mortier provided all the offense Seneca Valley needed with a two-run homer.

Seneca Valley will now take on top-seeded Mt. Lebanon on Monday at a site and time to be determined. The Raiders defeated the Blue Devils, 10-2, in their only regular season meeting on March 30.

Class 4A

Blackhawk 7, Indiana 5: The Little Indians (11-8) have come a long way since their 1-19 season in 2019, but they still have yet to notch a postseason win in the past two seasons. The 10th seeded Cougars came up with three runs in the top of the sixth to pull out the comefrom-behind upset win at Seneca Valley. Blackhawk (12-7) will get No. 2 West Mifflin in the quarterfinals.

Quaker Valley 7, Highlands 1: The Quakers (9-9) blew open a 1-0 game with a six- run sixth inning that spelled the end for the No. 8 Rams (13-6) at Plum. Quaker Valley will play top-seeded Montour in the next round.

Knoch 2, Uniontown 1:

Christian Thomas did everything he could on the mound to help the Red Raiders (9-8) get past the Knights, but it wasn’t enough. Thomas tossed a one-hitter over six innings, but Knoch (12-7) was able to scratch out a couple of runs and end Uniontown’s season. The Knights will play No. 3 North Catholic on Monday.

Beaver Area 4, Elizabeth Forward 2: The Warriors made this one exciting as they tied it up, 2-2, win a run in the top of the seventh. But senior Jason Shallcross hit a two-run bomb to walk it off in the bottom of half of the frame to send the fifthseeded Bobcats into the quarterfinals. Beaver will play No. 4 Laurel Highlands on Monday.