Cody Stephenson needed just 64 pitches to give the Slippery Rock High baseball team a historic victory.

Stephenson, a senior right-hander, tossed a five-hit shutout as the Rockets downed Harbor Creek 1-0 in the first round of the District 10 Class AAA playoffs.

The victory is thought to be the first playoff triumph in the history of the baseball program at the school.

“For the program, it’s huge. But more than anything, the kids deserve it,” said Slippery Rock coach Nathan McCollough. “The way they battled, the way they took the field with that underdog mentality. I don’t know how to put it into words.”

Stephenson didn’t walk a batter and struck out just one, but his defense was stellar behind him.

Stephenson improved to 8-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.59.

“Cody was incredible,” McCollough said.

Slippery Rock (12-7) got the only run it needed in the fourth inning.

Travis Lauster singled, stole second, moved to third on a single by Josh Bowser and scored on a base hit by Joe Barnhart.

Gabe Mattson picked up the loss for Harbor Creek (17-4), striking out eight and walking two in the complete-game loss.

“The game was awesomely played,” McCollough said. “As soon as the last out was made, you could see the smiles and the joy on their faces. That’s why we coach.”

Slippery Rock will play Grove City in the district semifinals Friday at a site and time to be determined.

Slippery Rock 000 100 0 — 1 4 1

Harbor Creek 000 000 0 — 0 5 0

W: Cody Stephenson 7IP (1K, 0BB). L: Gabe Mattson 7IP (8K, 2BB).

Slippery Rock (12-7): Travis Lauster 1B, Josh Bowser 1B, Joe Barnhart 1B RBI, Taylor Buhler 1B

Harbor Creek (17-4)

Friday: Slippery Rock vs. Grove City at site and time TBD

Ridgway 3, A-C Valley 0 — Cole Terwilliger struck out 14 in seven innings of work, but Ridgway pitcher Josh Mitchell tossed a 1-hit shutout.

The only hit for the Falcons (13-6) came off the bat of Andrew Strauser, who doubled.

Ridgway 010 020 0 — 3 7 x

A-C Valley 000 000 0 — 0 1 x

W: Josh Mitchell. L: Cole Terwilliger 7IP (14K).

Ridgway (10-6): McDonald HR RBI, Reynolds 2-1B

A-C Valley (13-6): Andrew Strauser 2B