NATRONA HEIGHTS — Alex Stobert heard the words “disappointing Knights” when used to describe the Knoch baseball team as it headed into the WPIAL playoffs.

The Knights' ace pitcher didn't like that very much.

“I don't think people are giving us credit for how difficult our section was,” Stobert said. “We had a couple of games we lost that we should have won, but coming out of a tough section, we know what we have to do.”

And Knoch did it against Yough Monday in the opening round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs at Highlands High School.

Stobert was brilliant in tossing a two-hitter to lead the Knights to a 3-1 win over the Cougars to begin their WPIAL and PIAA title defenses.

Knoch (13-6) scratched across single runs in the first, third and fourth innings in support of Stobert. The Knights, though, left 14 runners on base in the win.

“It could have been worse,” said Knoch coach George Bradley. “We could have got no one on.”

The Knights didn't need much because of Stobert, who struck out nine and walked two.

The senior right-hander gave up just two singles, both to Dylan O'Rourke and an unearned run.

“This looked like a little bit of last year. We had defense today, good pitching,” Stobert said. “Our offense is struggling a little bit, but in the playoffs you don't see eight-run ballgames. You see 3-1, 3-2 games.”

“Pitching and defense can go a long way,” Stobert added.

Stobert said he felt good while warming up before the game.

“I had a good seven days rest. I had a good, long rest and when I was out there warming up, I felt like I was going to be on today,” Stobert said. “I had not just one or two pitches working today, but I had three or four.”

Those pitches served to keep Yough, the Section 2-AAA champion, off balance the entire game.

The Cougars (11-5) didn't get their first hit until the fifth inning.

“He was sharp today,” Bradley said. “He was moving it in and out and up and down. That's what you want. You have to win that first one.”

Bradley was a bit concerned about leaving so many runners stranded.

But three Yough pitchers all got into trouble throughout the game and were able to get out of jams without too much damage being done.

“Their pitchers are crafty,” Bradley said. “I got reports that they were five-deep in craftiness. We tried everything. We tried stealing home.”

That was in the top of the seventh when Dom Bucko took off from third with two outs and nearly beat the pitch to the plate, but was tagged out to end the inning.

Knoch will play Montour, the Section 3-AAA champion, Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.

“We've been through the whole gambit this year,” Bradley said. “We've had injuries. We've had illnesses. We've been through the whole shooting match. It's the same as last year. We're in a new season now and we were 0-0 just like that team was. Now we're 1-0 and it's down to eight teams.”

Bradley cautiously intimated that Cole Shinsky may be healthy enough to see some time on the mound Wednesday.

“He might be back. He's feeling pretty good,” Bradley said. “We threw him the other day and he was hitting 91 with his fastball. His curveball was there and his change-up was even less. There's a good chance we're going to throw him. He said, 'Coach, I'm ready to rock and roll.'

“If we can get the big lefty out there,” Bradley added, “we'll go with him.”

Knoch 101 100 0 — 3 9 1

Yough 000 010 0 — 1 2 3

W: Alex Stobert 7IP (9K, 2BB). L: T.J. Lux 3IP (2K, 3BB).

Knoch (13-6): Dom Bucko 2-1B, Mike McCarty 1B, P.J. Gourley 2-1B, Nick Guercio 1B RBI, Addis Crouch 1B, Logan Hickey 2-1B

Yough (11-5): Dylan O'Rourke 2-1B

Wednesday: Knoch vs. Montour in WPIAL Class AAA second round, site and time TBD