Knoch's knocks
Knoch's bats were silent through the first two innings.
It proved to be the quiet before the storm.
Aided by two Kittanning errors, the Knights exploded for eight runs on six hits in the bottom of the third inning and went on to defeat the Wildcats 12-0 in five innings Monday at Pullman Park.
It is the third baseball win in a row for Knoch (8-6, 6-2) and fourth victory in its last five games.
Kittanning starting pitcher Christian Miller faced the minimum of six batters in the first two frames, but allowed the first five Knights to reach base in the third.
A walk to Taylor Sharer was followed by back-to-back bunt singles from Zachary Junk and Hunter Balliet. Chase Voltz laced a two-run single to left before Hyte Eurich drove in Balliet with a base hit and Voltz scored on a throwing error.
By the time the inning was over, Ty Smith had driven in two more runs and Cole Shinsky and Junk one apiece.
“Christian looked strong at the start,” said Wildcats coach John Davis, “but a couple of bunt singles and errors and the wheels fell off.”
The scoring spree allowed Knoch coach George Bradley to breathe a sigh of relief.
“We beat Kittanning the first time this year 5-0 (April 17),” he said. “They hit the ball hard, it was just right at our guys. I was sweating bullets on the way here and then the first two innings played out the way they did. I told our guys that we can't let them hang around.”
The recipient of the big third inning was Sharer, who, after allowing a pair of two-out singles in the first frame, retired 13 in a row. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
While batting in the Knights' four-run fourth inning, Sharer was hit by a fastball just above the left elbow, his non-throwing arm. The senior responded by setting the Wildcats down in order in the top of the fifth to end the game.
“I thought a lot about what it meant to be pitching on (Senior Recognition Night),” said Sharer. “We've been playing really well and I just wanted to keep it going.”
Pitching was a big question mark for the Knights entering the season. But thanks in part to Sharer, the staff has been a key to the team clinching a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth.
“He has a good fastball and curveball,” Bradley said of Sharer. “Sometimes, he's able to use his curveball when he is behind in the count. He's a winner.”
Junk ended the game with three base hits.
Kittanning 000 00x x — 0 2 5
Knoch 008 4xx x — 12 8 0
W: Taylor Sharer 5 IP (5K, 0BB). L: Christian Miller 3 IP (0K, 4BB).
Kittanning (2-11, 1-7): Sam Keibler 1B, Christian Miller 1B
Knoch (8-6, 6-2): Chase Voltz 1B R 2RBI, Hyte Eurich 1B 2R RBI, Caleb Thorn 1B R RBI, Ty Smith 1B R 2RBI, Cole Shinsky 2RBI, Zachary Junk 3-1B R 2RBI, Hunter Balliet 1B R, Jordan Hickey 2R, Spencer Voltz 3R
Wednesday: Knoch at Hampton
