WASHINGTON, Pa. — Senior shortstop Chris Law thought it was time for the top of the Knoch baseball team’s batting order to contribute.

Law, who is the No. 2 hitter, felt like they could do better.

In the first three playoff games, Dominick Bucko, Law and Cole Shinsky combined for a .111 batting average.

The slump didn’t continue during the Knights’ 5-1 win over West Allegheny in the WPIAL Class AAA title game Wednesday at Consol Energy Park.

Bucko and Law combined for two of Knoch’s three hits. Alex Stobert had the other.

Their teammates didn’t think that stretch would continue.

“Asa Adams, our catcher, told us we were going to come up big today,” Law said. “We’ve been hitting the ball hard, but right at people.”

All three hits came off Indians starting pitcher Tyler Eritz.

Law and Bucko both got to Eritz in the second inning.

With two outs, Eritz walked Addis Crouch and hit Logan Hickey with a pitch.

Bucko then smashed a 3-1 pitch to right field, scoring Crouch and Hickey to put the Knights up 2-0.

“It was a hitter’s pitch and I thought he was coming with a fastball,” Bucko said. “I saw it and I hit it.”

Law followed with a single to right field that plated Bucko.

“Our gameplan was being patient and making him come to us,” Law said. “If he throws our pitch, swing. He threw a lot of balls and it paid off for us.”

Ertiz only lasted 2 1/3 innings, issuing four walks before he was replaced by Colin Claus.

Claus handed out three more free passes in the third before he settled in.

“That’s uncharacteristic of both Tyler Eritz and Colin Claus,” West Allegheny coach Bryan Cornell said. “They’ve been efficient all year in their pitches. It’s a big stage and that’s where I thought we’d have the advantage.”

The top of Knoch’s order was up-and-down during the district playoffs.

In the first round against Belle Vernon, Law singled twice, while Shinsky and Bucko also collected hits.

After the group was shutout by Blackhawk in the quarterfinals, Law singled in the Knights’ semifinal win over Montour.

That gave Bucko extra motivation for the finals.

“Of course,” Bucko said. “It was rough in the playoffs and I felt like stepping it up. My teammates told me to relax and I saw the ball and hit it.”

Knoch coach George Bradley helped them get them ready with the scouting report.

“We worked on it for the last three days,” Bradley said. “We worked the last three days on hitting our pitch instead of hitting their pitch. I think they probably did that on the side. They were driven and did it.”

Shinsky went 0-of-1, but reached base twice by drawing a walk and getting hit by a pitch.

Shinsky also threw all seven innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight batters.

He was thrilled his teammates gave him the run support he needed.

“They are great hitters and they’ve been in a little bit of a slump,” Shinsky said. “When the time is right, the time is right. They came through for us.”