WEXFORD — The first inning has been a bugaboo for Kiski pitcher Nate Antone.

Most of the runs the Cavaliers ace has surrendered this season have come in the opening frame.

The Seneca Valley baseball team took advantage of yet another one of Antone's slow starts. But once the lanky right-hander settled into a groove, the Raiders struggled in a 5-2 loss to Kiski in the WPIAL AAAA quarterfinals at North Allegheny High Thursday.

"That's just him," said Kiski coach Daryl Hixenbaugh of Antone, who will pitch at the University of Pittsburgh next spring. "He's like Tom Glavine used to be. But once he gets comfortable, he's tough."

Seneca Valley scored two runs on three hits off Antone in the first inning Thursday.

Jay Condit doubled home Matt Kloos, who singled earlier in the inning, for the first run, then scored on an RBI single up the middle by Jake Double.

But the Raiders managed only one more hit, a one-out single by Condit in the sixth inning.

Antone struck out 10 in his complete-game masterpiece. Seven came on called third strikes.

"We watched too many third strikes," said Seneca Valley coach Eric Semega. "He wasn't wild. He was around the zone all game. We had plenty of opportunities with two strikes. If it's borderline, you have to be aggressive."

Kiski drew even in the third inning against Seneca Valley starter Blake Henderson on back-to-back RBI doubles by Antone and Willie Nelson.

The Cavaliers chased Anderson in the fifth inning and loaded the bases with no outs.

Eric Weyant scored on a double-play grounder and Nelson drove in Tyler Garrone with a single against Condit, who relieved Anderson, for a 4-2 lead.

Kiski added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single by No. 9 hitter Vinnie Donatelli.

"This game, in a nutshell, was they got clutch hits and we didn't," Semega said.

Despite getting only one hit after the first inning, Seneca Valley had baserunners.

The Raiders stranded Mike Hughes on second base after he walked in the second inning, left Double on second after he drew a walk and stole a base in the fourth, stranded Condit on third in the sixth and left runners on first and second in the seventh.

"Obviously, we knew Antone was a good pitcher, and he proved it today," Semega said. "We didn't capitalize on some of the opportunities we had, but you have to give credit to him for that, too."

While the loss was a disappointing way to end the season, Seneca Valley can't feel too down about the 2009 season.

The Raiders lost 15 players from their 2008 roster and came into this season with plenty unknowns.

Still, Seneca Valley advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals.

"We have a program here; it's not one-and-done," Semega said. "Not many people outside of this team gave us much of a chance. I told them all to learn from this game so next year you can make a difference."

Seneca Valley 200 000 0 — 2 4 0Kiski 002 021 x — 5 9 1W: Nate Antone (7 IP) 10 K, 3 BB.

L: Blake Henderson (4+ IP) 3 K, 2 BB.

Seneca Valley (11-7): Matt Kloos 1B, SB, R; Jay Condit 2B, 1B, SB, R; Jake Double 1B, SB, RBI

Kiski (11-7): Eric Weyant 1B; Nate Stolarski 1B; Tyler Garrone 1B; Antone 2B, RBI; Willie Nelson 2B, 2-RBI; Justin McGinnis 1B; Bill Emerick 1B, 2B; Vinnie Donatelli 1B, RBI