Seneca Valley pitcher D.J. Alway hurled six scoreless innings Thursday, April 27, 2017, as the Raiders defeated North Allegheny, 2-1.

JACKSON TWP — By tying the game in the top of the seventh inning, North Allegheny took the wind out of Seneca Valley's sails.

Joey Kozlina changed that with one swing of the bat.

The Raider outfielder led off the bottom of the seventh by lacing a triple down the right-field line. Teammate Andrew Funovits then singled to right through a drawn-in infield, scoring Kozlina with the deciding run in a 2-1 victory over the Tigers Thursday at Raider Field.

“It's been a huge problem for us, finding ways to win games,” said Raider coach Eric Semega. “It looked like it was going to happen again today. Then we get those two big hits.”

Kozlina, a left-handed batter, said the pitch he hit was a low fastball from NA reliever Anthony Hattrup, adding, “We've lost some close games recently. It was good to get a win.”

An unearned run in the bottom of the second inning held up for the Raiders for as long as D.J. Alway was on the mound. The junior struck out six and walked three in six innings. The only hit he allowed was a single to Justin Hamm in the fifth frame.

Alway was pulled at the start of the seventh inning because he had thrown 104 pitches and was not allowed to continue due to the new pitch-count rules.

Reliever Michael Morrone allowed a leadoff double to Colin Cain, followed by a two-out, RBI-double to Kevin Janosko. Morrone battled back, however, striking out Hamm with the go-ahead run at second base. That set the stage for the back-to-back hits from Kozlina and Funovits to win the game.

Alway retired the first 10 batters he faced before walking Jack Lehew with one out in the fourth. With two outs, he walked Cain, but stranded runners at first and third.

“This was the second straight start that D.J. has pitched very well,” said Semega. “He threw a lot of pitches because of the walks, but he can be very tough to hit. He just needs to pound the zone early in the count.”

“D.J. has been good all season for us,” Kozlina said. “He showed what he can do today.”

SV's first run came in the second when Mark Trotta singled, stole second and scored on a Tiger throwing error. It was the only blemish charged to starting pitcher Danny Caropresi, who struck out one and walked two in five innings. He avoided a 2-0 deficit when SV's Mike Collins was thrown out at the plate following a single by Justin Dattoli in the bottom of the third.

Janosko pitched a scoreless sixth for the Tigers (10-3, 5-2).

The Raiders (7-7, 2-5) are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs. But three teams — Butler, Shaler and Central Catholic — are currently tied for third place in the section with records of 2-4. The top four teams in the section will qualify for the postseason.

As frustrating as this season has been for Seneca Valley, the Raiders control their own destiny. SV's remaining section games will come against section leader Pine-Richland, Shaler and Butler.

“Our message to our guys is that it doesn't matter what has happened up until now,” said Semega. “We have to keep approaching each game like it's do-or-die.”

North Allegheny 000 000 1 — 1 3 1

Seneca Valley 010 000 1 — 2 5 0

W: Michael Morrone 1 IP (1K, 0BB). L: Anthony Hattrup 0 IP (0K, 0BB).

North Allegheny (10-3, 5-2): Colin Cain 2B, Justin Hamm 1B, Kevin Janosko 2B RBI, Ben Surman R

Seneca Valley (7-7, 2-5): Mike Collins 1B, Mark Trotta 1B R, Justin Dattoli 1B, Joey Kozlina 3B R, Andrew Funovits 1B RBI

Sunday: Seneca Valley vs. Columbiana (Ohio) at PNC Park, 2:30 p.m.