JACKSON TWP — Emily Watson delivered just what the doctor ordered for the Seneca Valley softball team.

The sophomore pitched a two-hit shutout while striking out 10 and walking two in the Raiders' 1-0 win over rival Butler Monday at Raider Field.

The Raiders entered the game having lost their first four section contests.

"This win is huge," said SV coach George Trew. "We've got an uphill climb as it is, but I've never heard of a team starting out 0-5 in the section and making the playoffs. This keeps us alive."

Watson began the game by striking out seven of the first nine batters she faced, which included six straight strikeouts between the first and third innings.

"A lot of my drops and curves were working well today, pitches that have movement on them," said Watson. "As a team, we worked together. We feel if we do that, we can win more games."

Butler's two hits came in back-to-back innings.

In the top of the fourth, the Tornado's Sadie Marak sneaked a two-out ground ball under the glove of SV second baseman Lauren Davies.

In the fifth, Olivia Vasey led off with a double to left and, with one out, Amber Steinheiser walked, but both runners were stranded.

Butler (5-2, 2-2) had scored at least five runs in four of their previous six games.

"We just weren't getting solid hits," said Butler coach Lori Kline. "We weren't connecting on the ball. This team can usually hit pretty well."

The only run Watson needed came in the bottom of the third inning off Golden Tornado starter Amanda Skidmore.

With two outs, walks to Megan Buletko and Erin Mullen were sandwiched around Watson's base hit, loading the bases.

With Kelsey Mislan at the plate, Skidmore threw what was ruled an illegal pitch, allowing Buletko to trot home for a 1-0 lead.

It was the second time in the game an illegal pitch was called on the junior right-hander.

"They ruled she was using a crow hop," said Kline. "Amanda is our No. 2 pitcher and we brought in Angie Reddick after the run scored."

Skidmore struck out three and walked three in 2X\c innings, shouldering the loss.

Over the final 3Z\c innings, Reddick gave up one hit, striking out one and walking three.

The Raiders (5-5, 1-4) stranded 11 runners, including leaving the bases loaded in the second and sixth innings.

"We have to find a way to put the ball in play with runners in scoring position," said Trew.

Butler 000 000 0 — 0 2 2Seneca Valley 001 000 x — 1 5 1W: Emily Watson 7 IP (10 K, 2 BB).

L: Amanda Skidmore 22/3 IP (3 K, 3 BB).

Butler (5-2, 2-2): Sadie Marak 1B, Olivia Vasey 2B

Seneca Valley (5-5, 1-4): Alyssa DiMaria 2-1B, Lauren Hunt 1B, Megan Buletko R, Emily Watson 1B, Erin Mullen 1B

Today: North Allegheny at Butler

Wednesday: Seneca Valley at Canon McMillan