JACKSON TWP — George Trew knows what kind of game it takes to defeat Shaler's softball team.

Unfortunately for Seneca Valley's coach, he didn't see it Wednesday afternoon.

Shaler tallied all of its runs in the fourth and fifth innings as the Titans defeated the Raiders 6-2 at Raider Field.

Seneca Valley's only other section defeat this season was a 4-1 loss to Shaler April 9.

With Wednesday's win, the Titans (11-2, 8-1) remain alone atop the Section 3-AAAA standings.

“You have to play your best to beat Shaler,” said Trew. “We did hit the ball today, but just weren't able to get enough runs across.”

The Raiders managed to make things interesting in their last at-bat, despite the four-run deficit.

Alyssa Panza walked, Julia Vandrak singled and Kelsey Mislan reached on a fielding error to load the bases with no outs.

But Shaler pitcher Sydney Smyers would let the rally get no further, getting Sarah Blagg to pop out and Alexa Sisko hit into a 6-3 double play to end the game.

“She got into a bit of trouble there in the seventh, but she works hard,” said Titans' coach Skip Palmer of his ace. “We'll go as far as Syd takes us.”

The two baserunners SV stranded in the seventh pushed its total to eight for the game, but missed opportunities were not confined to the team's offense.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning, Shaler plated four runs without the help of a hit.

After one out, SV pitcher Emily Watson walked three straight hitters. The first of those, Kelly Daley, scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

Another walk loaded the bases again before a groundball hit by Maddie Mulig was misplayed twice by the Raiders, once in the infield and then in the outfield. The result was two more runs.

Haley Stedeford capped the inning's scoring when she came home on a wild pitch, putting her team up 4-1.

“(Watson) is a very good pitcher,” said Palmer. “She just wasn't on today.”

“We gave a few (runs) away in that inning,” said Trew. “Emily had some trouble with her control, but we certainly didn't help her. If we catch that grounder, we hold them to just one run.”

Shaler added to its lead in the fifth with Sara Giebel's two-run single.

The Raiders had a golden opportunity to get back in the game in the bottom of the fifth, but were able to score just once.

With runners on first and second and two outs, Sisko smacked a double that easily scored Vandrak.

Mislan, who was at first base at the start of the play, was also sent home. But the throw to catcher Lauren Hackett was in more than enough time to nab the speedy outfielder to end the inning with the score 6-2.

“Defense wins championships,” said Palmer. “We work on defense every day.”

Watson struck out two and walked seven in a complete game.

Smyers fanned three and walked two in the win.

SV broke the ice in the bottom of the third when Blagg's triple brought home Alyssa Panza.

Seneca Valley (10-3, 6-2) is now in third place in the section standings, holding a two-game lead over Pine-Richland for the last playoff spot.

Shaler 000 420 0 — 6 7 1Seneca Valley 001 010 0 — 2 10 2W: Sydney Smyers 7 IP (3K, 2BB).

L: Emily Watson 7 IP (2K, 7BB).

Shaler (11-2, 8-1): Maddie Mulig 1B, Lauren Hackett 1B 2B R, Kelly Daley 1B 2R, Jamie Roth 1B R, Nicole Daley 1B R, Haley Stedeford R, Sara Giebel 1B 2RBI

Seneca Valley (10-3, 6-2): Julia Vandrak 2-1B R, Kelsey Mislan 1B, Sarah Blagg 1B 3B RBI, Alexa Sisko 2B RBI, Emily Watson 2-1B, Megan Buletko 1B, Paige Foley 1B, Alyssa Panza R

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