JACKSON TWP — Cory Greiner and Mark Trotta proved too much for Butler to overcome.

Seneca Valley's pitcher and third baseman, respectively, sparked the Raiders in Wednesday's section clash at Raider Field.

Trotta went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI while Greiner allowed just four hits in SV's 4-1 win.

The Raiders began the section slate by losing their first two games, but have now pulled even with wins over Pine-Richland and the Golden Tornado.

“It feels good because I never lost faith in my teammates,” said Greiner, whose last outing was a 1-0 loss to North Allegheny April 11.

Greiner, a left-hander, helped set the tone for Butler's frustrating day by picking off two baserunners in the first three innings.

He walked Ryan Lynn in the top of the first and Jake Slomers in the third, but erased both with his move to first base.

“Butler's a very aggressive team and they have a lot of speed,” said Raiders' coach Eric Semega, “but Cory has a tremendous pick-off move. Even when a runner tries to steal, he is quick to the plate and gives the catcher a chance to throw him out.”

“I work on it (pick-off) a lot, but my throws to first early in a game usually aren't much, just showing the runner that I will throw over there. I guess my move in the first inning was better than I thought.”

Greiner was working with a lead early on following Trotta's RBI-single and a successful double-steal by the Raiders in the bottom of the first.

Butler starter Brandon Fleeger held the Raiders (5-4, 2-2) scoreless over the next three innings, but received no support from his team's bats. Butler's lone hit in the first four innings was Nick Kibbie's single in the top of the third.

“We had guys out there today who wanted to do everything,” said Butler coach Cody Herald, who has seen his team drop two straight section games after a 3-0 start. “Early on, we were playing for each other, but not now. It comes down to trust. The players have to trust in what we're teaching them. They have to be unselfish.”

The Golden Tornado (5-2, 3-2) broke through with a run in the top of the fifth. Jacob Keene's double was followed by Justin Stewart's single, putting runners at first and third. Keene scored on Jake Slomers' fielder's choice.

Greiner avoided further damage by getting Garet Banner to ground into an inning-ending double play.

SV answered with a pair of runs in the next half inning. A double from Anthony Cinicola was followed by a fielding error that allowed him to score, prompting a pitching change that brought Nash Bryan to the mound.

Trotta drove in a run — the game's final tally — with a single and the book on Fleeger was closed after allowing four runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Trotta has played a huge role in SV's back-to-back section wins. In last Friday's 7-6 victory over Pine-Richland, he homered and singled in the winning run.

“Mark understands what he needs to do and he trusts his abilities,” Semega said. “He continues to put good swings on the ball. I couldn't be happier with him right now.”

“I'm getting more pitches to hit now,” said Trotta. “We're back where we want to be, in the playoff race.”

Greiner threw 94 pitches in the win, 55 of them strikes. He struck out four and walked three.

Marshall Wheeler pitched the final inning of relief for Butler.

Butler 000 010 0 — 1 4 1

Seneca Valley 200 020 x — 4 7 2

W: Cory Greiner 7 IP (4K, 3BB). L: Brandon Fleeger 4.1 IP (3K, 2BB).

Butler (5-2, 3-2): Nick Kibbie 1B, Grant Metzger 2B, Jacob Keene 2B R, Justin Stewart 1B, Jake Slomers RBI

Seneca Valley (5-4, 2-2): Anthony Cinicola 2B 2R, Cory Greiner R, Mark Trotta 2-1B 2B R 2RBI, Brett Steinle 1B, Cameron Vozel 2B, Andrew Funovits 1B

Thursday: Seneca Valley at Shaler

Friday: Hempfield at Butler