JACKSON TWP - All Seneca Valley's baseball team needed was a few months off.

Close to a year off, actually.

The Raiders dropped their final six games of the 2003 season last spring, but have begun 2004 on a tear.

Seneca Valley banged out 12 hits Saturday afternoon in an 11-3 thrashing of Blackhawk, one day after collecting nine hits in an 8-1 five-inning triumph over Hampton.

"These games were important to us," Raiders coach Eric Semega said. "We wanted a positive start, something to get excited about.

"We have a senior-dominated team this year. You can see the leadership already. These guys are ready to have a good season."

The Raiders knocked Blackhawk starter Eric Shoemaker from the mound in the second inning and scored nine runs in the first four frames.

Nick Hull, Chris Tremblay, Jason Davis and Kevin Aufman all had two hits within the first three innings. Tremblay picked up his third hit in the fourth frame.

The junior shortstop has five hits in his first seven at bats this spring.

"Chris is just a tremendous player," Semega said. "He does everything well. He'll be playing at the next level."

While Seneca Valley played errorless baseball - turning two double plays and throwing a runner out trying to steal second - Blackhawk committed seven errors.

The Cougars (0-1) committed four errors in the fourth inning alone.

"I'm disappointed with the way we played," Blackhawk coach Bob Amalia said. "But this was our first game, our first scrimmage, our first anything outdoors.

"We knew Seneca Valley was good. Eric Shoemaker is one of my ace pitchers, but they lit him up in this game."

Seneca Valley's ace is left-hander Ryan Page, who has decided to accept a scholarship to Division I Liberty (Va.) University. John Sklarsky started on the mound and threw two scoreless frames for the Raiders, but ran into trouble in the third.

With his team leading 4-1 and Blackhawk having the bases loaded with one out, Semega gave the ball to Page.

Page allowed a sacrifice fly to No. 3 hitter Sean Conley, but escaped the inning with no further damage.

Page got those two runs back by delivering a two-out, two-run single to center in the bottom of the third. He pitched three more scoreless innings before Andrew Wilmoth pitched the seventh inning.

"I may not be used to coming on in relief, but I'm excited about pitching anytime," Page said. "It's always a great feeling when you're able to help your team win a game."

"Ryan's my ace," Semega said. "I count on him to do exactly what he did today."

The Raiders received six hits from the sixth and seventh spots in the batting order.

"We're putting the bat on the ball from top to bottom in the lineup," Semega said. "I didn't expect us to hit this well this soon, but I know we can hit."

Blackhawk returns six starters from a team that finished 21-4 a year ago, reaching the WPIAL championship game and the PIAA semifinals, losing 3-2 decisions to Ellwood City both times.

Mike Burger struck out six in three innings of relief for Blackhawk. Drew Aniceti had three of his team's seven hits.

"I know we're going to play better than this," Amalia said of Saturday's game. "I also know Seneca Valley is going to be a very tough team to beat."

Blackhawk 002 000 1 - 3 7 7

Seneca Valley 133 202 x - 11 12 0

WP:

Ryan Page (3

IP) 3 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP:

Eric Shoemaker (1

IP) 0 strikeouts, 1 walk

Blackhawk (0-1):

Drew Aniceti 3-1B RBI, Brant Morgan 1B, Sean Conley RBI, Drew Bosco 2B 2 R, Ryan Pursifull 1B, Dwayne McCann 1B RBI

Seneca Valley (2-0):

John Sklarsky RBI, Ryan Page 1B 2 RBI, Nick Hull 2-1B RBI, Chris Tremblay 2B 2-1B, Ben Follett RBI, Kevan Smith 2 R, Jason Davis 2-1B 2 R RBI, Kevin Aufman 1B 2B 2 R RBI, Ryan Roble RBI, Andrew Wilmoth 1B, Tyer Neff 1B RBI

Today:

Trinity @ Seneca Valley