FOX CHAPEL — Down to its final out, Knoch finally got the big hit it was looking for.

But it just wasn’t to be.

Mike McCarty’s two-out would-be game-tying single to right struck base-runner Dom Bucko as he was headed from first to second base in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday at Fox Chapel. The play enabled Hopewell to hold on for a 1-0 victory over the Knights in their WPIAL Class 4A baseball quarterfinal.

“It’s tough to lose a 1-0 game in any way,” Knoch coach Sean O’Donnell said. “But to lose one like that?

“That ball was going through (to right field). We were going to have a tie game and the winning run on third ... just not to be. There’s nothing Dom could have done. It’s just one of those bizarre things that happens.”

Hopewell 6-foot-4 senior left-hander Joey Rock entered the game with impressive numbers — a 1.62 earned run average, 84 strikeouts in 60 innings — but had to fight to avoid trouble much of the day.

Knoch hitters struck out only twice all day and the Knights stranded eight runners in the final five innings, six in scoring position.

“Those guys put the bat on the ball,” said Rock, who threw 98 pitches.

Knoch (15-5) began the bottom of the seventh with Ben McMillen’s single to right. Alex Altmire bunted him to second and pinch-hitter Josh Campbell struck out. Bucko drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch.

Up to the plate stepped McCarty, who hit a sharp ground ball to the right side that struck Bucko between first and second.

“I’ve never seen a game end like that,” Hopewell coach Mike Shuleski said. “Yeah, it was a hit. It was going into right field.You feel sick for the kid (Bucko). He’s a great baseball player. He’s one of the reasons Knoch has such a strong team.

“This was a classic high school baseball game. Great pitching on both sides. Both teams executed small ball and made excellent defensive plays. Their infield probably took four hits away from us.”

The Vikings (13-9) scored the game’s lone run in the second inning. Alex Kunzmann doubled to right to begin the frame. Dan Riffle and Josh Miklos reached on consecutive bunt singles.

Rock flied to shallow right before No. 9 hitter Cody Yanyecic delivered a sacrifice fly to left.

“They had the bases loaded and none out that inning,” O’Donnell said. “Some good pitching got us out of that.”

Jack Bartek was Knoch’s starting pitcher and worked into the sixth. He struck out two and walked no one.

It was Bucko’s good pitching that kept the Knights within a run.

Hopewell greeted Bartek with consecutive singles to begin the sixth, putting runners at first and third. Bartek struck out Sean Coury before being replaced on the mound by Bucko.

The senior right-hander promptly struck out Kunzmann and got Riffle to ground out to shortstop to end the inning. Bucko then retired the side in order in the seventh.

Knoch left runners at second and third in the third inning. Dylan Swarmer doubled with one out in the fourth. With two outs, Jake Herrit drilled a deep fly down the right field line. Freshman right fielder Jake McGovern made a lunging catch to deny the Knights a run.

“A month ago, that kid doesn’t make that catch ... doesn’t come close,” Shuleski said. “That shows how much he’s improved. Kids like him are why you coach.”

Rock, likely headed to Oklahoma University, scattered sevven hits.

“He faced a tough lineup from top to bottom. Those Knoch kids are good hitters,” Shuleski said.

Knoch stranded runners at second base in the fifth and sixth innings as well.

“Well-played game by both teams,” O’Donnell said. “We couldn’t play any better. We just couldn’t push one across. That was the difference.”

Hopewell 010 000 0 — 1 6 0

Knoch 000 000 0— 0 7 0

W: Joey Rock 7IP (2K, 2BB). L: Jack Bartek 5.1IP (2K, 0BB).

Hopewell (13-9): Jaje McGovern 1B, Mitch Heranic 2-1B, Alex Kunzmann 2B, Dan Riffle 1B, Josh Miklos 1B, Cody Yanyecic RBI

Knoch (15-5): Dom Bucko 2-1B, Mike McCarty 1B, Andy Pipes 1B, Dylan Swarmer 2B, Ben McMillen 2-1B