SLIPPERY ROCK - Beau Fisher knows how to set the table. He showed Tuesday that he also knows how to clear it.

Grove City's leadoff hitter reached base four times but saved the best for last when he hammered a grand slam in his final at-bat to highlight an eight-run seventh inning that gave Grove City a 9-1 victory over Titusville in the first round of the District 9-10 Class AA playoffs at Critchfield Park.

The win sends the Eagles, the defending District 10 champions, to the semifinals against Hickory at 7 p.m. Thursday at Critchfield Park.

"Beau's shot was his second grand slam in the past few games," said Grove City coach Pat Forese. "He's really come on (defensively). That's allowed us to move Jesse Alfreno in the outfield."

The sophomore shortstop's homer came after Joe Ennis led off the seventh inning with a solo home run off Rockets starter Andy Canter to give Grove City (18-3) a 2-0 lead.

"I talked to their coach (Dewey Wilson) in the fourth inning and told him one big break can turn this game around," said Forese.

"Fortunately, Joey hit it, and, after he did, we just went to work. … It's what we needed to get us started," Forese added.

After Ennis homered, Wilson brought in Travis Burton, who walked Derek Maybee. An error on a fielder's choice grounder by Andy Geibel put runners at first and second.

Wilson recalled that conversation with Forese and believed that error would be the break they discussed.

After Grove City's Dan Sonntag popped out, Brandon Jones lined a hard single to load the bases.

Fisher then smacked the grand slam over the left-field wall for a 6-0 Eagles' advantage.

Bill Herman and Alfreno then lined consecutive singles before Dustin Caylor hit a three-run homer for a 9-0 lead.

Doug Atteberry came in from third base to pitch for Titusville. He allowed a double to Ennis and another walk to Maybee - his third of the game - before recording the final two outs to end the inning.

The score was not indicative of the way Canter pitched. He allowed only one hit and two walks after giving up a single to Fisher and an RBI double to Herman to open the game.

"I couldn't be happier with his performance," said Wilson. "When he allowed the home run, he was just out of gas."

Titusville (15-4) had a chance to score the tying run in the first inning when it had runners at second and third with one out and the bases loaded with two outs, but Canter flied out to deep left field to end the inning.

The Rockets did have another chance in the fifth inning when, with two outs, Jarrett Watson singled and moved to third on a hit-and-run from Don Morris to put runners on the corners.

Geibel struck out Ryan Smith to end the threat.

"Andy did a great job for us," said Forese. "He got out of that jam in the first, then with two on struck out their No. 4 hitter. That showed great courage for another sophomore."

Grove City 100 000 8 - 9 10 0

Titusville 000 000 1 - 1 6 1

WP:

Andy Geibel (6

IP) 5 strikeouts, 3 walks.

LP:

Andy Canter (6+ IP) 4 strikeouts, 2 walks

Grove City (18-3):

Beau Fisher 1B, 2B, Grand slam HR, 2 R; Bill Herman 1B, 2B, RBI, R; Jesse Alfreno 1B, R; Dustin Caylor HR, 3 RBI; Derek Maybee 3 BB; Brandon Jones 1B, R; Jim Jaskowak R; Brad Ballatine R

Titusville (15-4):

Doug Atteberry 1B; Jarrett Watson 1B; Don Morris 1B, 2B, RBI; Ben Amsler 1B; Joe Snyder 1B; Lenny Kemp R

Thursday:

Grove City vs. Hickory @ Critchfield Park, SRU, 7 p.m.