What to do for an encore?

Seneca Valley third baseman Ben Follett, who batted .446 last season, is answering that question in style.

Before Wednesday's game with North Hills, the senior was batting .471.

After going 0-for-3 against the Indians, Follett is still hitting .400 (8 for 20), with four doubles, five runs scored and eight RBI while batting fourth in the lineup.

Helping to set the table for Follett are leadoff hitters Adam Ranalli and Joe Sklarsky, with Andy Wilmoth in the No. 2 spot and Chris Tremblay in the No. 3 spot.

"We've got some real good hitters in the first three spots," said Follett. "When they get on base, I have to bring them home any way I can."

"I expected pretty much the same kind of performance this year from Ben," said Seneca Valley coach Eric Semega. "He's a very good hitter. We've got him in the cleanup spot to drive in runs, and he leads the team in that category right now."

Two RBI stand out more than the others at this point in the season for the Raiders, who are undefeated at 6-0.

In consecutive section games against North Allegheny and New Castle, Follett brought home the deciding run with a game-ending double in the bottom of the seventh.

"My goal every year is to improve on what I did the year before," said Follett. "If that means batting over .400 again, then so be it."

After playing shortstop most of his baseball career, Follett moved to third base last season.

Semega said he contemplated moving him again.

"We were thinking about starting him at second base," Semega said. "But he came up to us before the season started and said he felt more comfortable at third, so we kept him there."

"I had never played third before last season," said Follett. "But after getting a year of experience under my belt there, I didn't want to make another move and have to learn another position."

"Ben's a solid fielder," said Semega. "He doesn't make a lot of outstanding plays, but he does make all of the routine plays. He's looked real good there this season."

All of Follett's efforts are being directed toward helping the Raiders get into the playoffs.

"We're playing as a team," said Follett. "We've got a goal of going to the WPIAL playoffs, and I think we can go pretty deep with the team we've got."