JACKSON TWP — His pitching outing on Tuesday may prove to be Shane Hepner’s last of the season.

If that is the case, it certainly won’t be for lack of success.

Hepner allowed just one unearned run on two hits over six innings in the Raiders’ 7-1 non-section victory over Montour at Raider Field.

Normally a starter at shortstop, Hepner relished the opportunity to take the mound.

“I used to pitch a lot, but this year I took on a different role,” the junior said. “I love pitching and that’s where I’m most comfortable.”

The one run he allowed against the Spartans came in the top of the third inning. Consecutive throwing errors allowed Kailen Grimm to reach first base, then move on to third with no outs. He scored moments later on Zach McGowan’s groundout.

Hepner allowed a leadoff double to Todd Police in the fifth and walked the first two batters of the sixth, but neither threat led to damage on the scoreboard.

Seneca Valley coach Eric Semega pulled Hepner after six frames and just 59 pitches.

“He threw very well today and it came against a good hitting team in Montour,” Semega said.

“My change-up and curveball were both doing well for me,” said Hepner. “My fastball had some dip to it and I kept working low.”

His only previous appearance on the mound this season came April 25 at Slippery Rock when he struck out five, walked two and allowed no runs on three hits in four innings in Seneca’s 6-3 win.

With the WPIAL playoffs looming, Semega isn’t ruling out Hepner getting the ball in a postseason game.

“If our top guys get in some trouble, depending on the scenario, he could see time on the mound,” he said. “But he is as good as can be at shortstop and we need him there.”

That’s because Hepner has devoted much time to his new position.

“I worked hard over the winter, making sure I had the right arm angle to make throws (from shortstop),” he said.

Vince Augustine closed the door on the Spartans (10-8) by working a perfect seventh inning.

The Raiders (11-6) broke the game open with five runs in their half of the fourth.

Branden Schlick laced a two-run single while Johnny Brittner and Mike Collins both drove in a run with a base hit.

“In these non-section games, it is important that we focus and don’t just go through the motions,” Semega said. “I thought we did a better job of that today than (Monday in a 5-4 loss to Plum).

Montour 001 000 0 — 1 2 2

Seneca Valley 100 501 x — 7 6 4

W: Shane Hepner 6 IP (1K, 2BB). L: Cam Shinton 3.1 IP (2K, 4BB).

Montour (10-8): Adam Check 1B, Todd Police 2B, Kailen Grimm R, Zach McGowan RBI

Seneca Valley (11-6): Johnny Brittner 1B R RBI, Troy Martin 1B 2R, Mike Collins 2-1B RBI, Matt Wagner R, Lane Palmer RBI, Corey Laskey R, Branden Schlick 1B R 2RBI, Brady Kress R, Nick Gentry 1B

Today: Mount Lebanon at Seneca Valley