JACKSON TWP — While the Seneca Valley hitters were smacking screaming liners all over Raider Stadium, Shaler's hitters were hitting bloopers.

The bloopers won.

In baseball, it's sometimes not how hard you hit it, but where you hit it.

The Shaler baseball team found that out in a 12-1, six-inning, win over Seneca Valley Thursday afternoon.

“Baseball's a funny game,” said Shaler coach Brian Junker. “One hit or two the other way, and it's a different ballgame.”

Seneca Valley coach Eric Semega echoed that statement.

The Raiders had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the first inning and didn't score, left two more runners stranded in the second inning and had a chance to put a serious dent into a 5-0 deficit in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and one out, but scored just one run.

A line-drive down the line off the bat of Brad Gresock fell just foul with runners on second and third and two outs. Gresock grounded out to end the at-bat.

“The whole complexion of the game completely changes,” lamented Semega. “But, that's baseball.”

Shaler had chances to score thanks to patience at the plate and its running game on the bases.

The Titans drew six walks from Seneca Valley starter Zach Detillio in 3Z\c innings. In the game, Seneca Valley walked six and hit two batters. Five of those Shaler runners came around to score.

Still, the game was somewhat within reach until a six-run outburst by Shaler in the sixth inning.

The Titans got seven of their 13 hits in that frame.

Now, the section standings are tighter.

Shaler (9-5, 6-3) pushed its way into a tie for second with Seneca Valley (9-3, 6-3) and Butler (10-3, 6-3) heading into the final week of games.

Pine-Richland (11-4, 8-3) sits atop the standings

Of the seven teams in Section 1, five have an overall record of .500 or better.

“This section is tough,” Junker said. “It's very tough. We're taking care of our business first, but we need some help from other teams. We could use some help.”

Semega and his Raiders won't need any help forgetting this one.

“We can't worry about this one,” Semega said. “It's done.”

Now, the focus turns to the final three section games, starting Monday at North Allegheny. The Raiders also have games at North Hills on Tuesday and at home against Butler Wednesday.

The final play date for the WPIAL is Thursday.

“If you would have told me (when the season started that) with three games left in the season we still had an opportunity to make the playoffs and were still in good shape, I would have taken it,” Semega said.

Shaler 011 316 x — 12 13 1Seneca Valley 000 100 x — 1 7 2W: Matt Bernic 6IP (5K, 0BB).

L: Zach Detillio 3 1/3IP (4K, 6BB).

Shaler (9-5, 6-3): Ryan Mincher 2B 3-1B 3-RBI, Jake Hetz 2B, Derek Sullivan 2-2B 1B RBI, Tyler Colamarino 1B 2B 4-RBI

Seneca Valley (9-3, 6-3): Sam Fragale 2-1B, Christian Durbin 2-1B

Monday: Seneca Valley at North Allegheny