JEFFERSON TWP - Knoch High baseball coach Curt Schnur could see the chances going by one inning after another

The Knights stranded five runners in scoring position in the first three innings in Monday's section contest against Ellwood City.

After trailing 1-0, the Knights, tied the game, then erupted for four runs in the sixth inning to post a 5-1 victory at Laura Doerr Park.

"We've had a lot missed opportunities lately, and that was a continuation at the beginning of this game," said Schnur.

"It's all about putting the ball in play and making things happen, and we were finally able to do that," Schnur added.

Cory Green's infield single drove home the go-ahead run with one out in the sixth inning before Justin Thompson's two-run single gave the Knights (5-2, 2-1) some much-needed breathing room.

The Knights benefited from a hit batsman, walk and an error to set up Green's and Thompson's heroics.

"We're not doing anything to win ballgames," said Ellwood City coach Jeff Fotia. "Defensively, we're booting balls all over the place. We did that numerous times in the ball game."

Five errors by the Wolverines certainly helped the Knights' cause, but Knoch didn't take advantage of the breaks early.

With one out in the first inning, the Knights' Dan Pickard reached on a throwing error and Justin Demek singled. Austin Leffler's groundout moved the runners to second and third, but John Lefevre grounded out.

The next inning, Josh Sasse and Cory Green hit one-out singles before Thompson reached safely on an error to load the bases, but Bob Kruth grounded into a double play to end the threat.

In the third inning, an error by Wolverines third baseman Mike Fidell allowed Pickard to reach safely. He moved to second base on a stolen base after a strikeout, but the Knights couldn't plate the run.

Ellwood City was able to take advantage of a Knoch error in the third inning to take a 1-0 lead.

With one out, a fly ball by the Wolverines' Trey McKim was dropped by center fielder Thompson. A sacrifice bunt moved McKim to second and he scored on a single by Ed Jacobs.

Knoch tied the game in the fourth inning when Sasse hit a home run over the center field fence.

"Josh hit the ball well," said Schnur. "And these guys know when they give (starting pitcher) Johnny (Lefevre) a chance to win, he'll go out and pitch well."

Lefevre allowed two hits and a walk, retiring 13 of the final 15 batters he faced.

"He didn't have the zip, but he kept the ball down and got a lot of ground balls," said Schnur. "Still, he had location and that's the key," he added.

The Knights finally broke through against Wolverines starter Matt Clark.

Clark hit Leffler with a pitch and Lefevre bunted him to second base. Bill Elliott was walked intentionally after three balls, but a bobble on a ground ball by Sasse loaded the bases.

"When you hit the leadoff guy, then boot the ball all over the place and walk the guy intentionally, most people would turn a double play. We can't get one out," Fotia said.

Green's infield single drove home courtesy runner Josh Uncapher and Thompson smacked a two-run single past a diving T.J. Post at first base for a 4-1 Knights lead.

Pickard later added a sacrifice fly in the frame to account for the final score.

Ellwood City 001 000 0 - 1 2 5

Knoch 000 104 x - 5 6 1

WP:

John Lefevre (7 IP) 5 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Matt Clark (6 IP) 5 strikeouts, 2 walks

Ellwood City (4-4, 0-3):

Ed Jacobs 1B, RBI; Lou Nocera 1B

Knoch (5-2, 2-1):

Dan Pickard RBI; Justin Demek 1B; Josh Sasse 1B, HR; Cory Green 2-1B, RBI; Justin Thompson 1B, 2 RBI

Wednesday:

Knoch at Blackhawk