JACKSON TWP — The last three outs of a baseball game are sometimes the most difficult to get.

That warning became reality for Seneca Valley Tuesday afternoon at Raider Field.

Moon trailed the Raiders by two runs entering the top of the seventh inning, but the Tigers scored five times to grab a 9-6 road victory.

“You have a certain outlook of where you see your team,” said Seneca coach Eric Semega. “We are not even remotely close to where we need to be.”

The Raiders (1-1) had by no means played a mistake-free game through six innings. They committed three errors in the field in that span and one of them — a fielding miscue in the top of the second — led to an unearned run. Still, they were ahead 6-4 when the Tigers picked up their bats in the top of the seventh.

Alex Hajduk, who had pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the sixth, ran into immediate trouble.

He walked Matt Capo to begin the inning, then gave up back-to-back singles to Colton Hower and Rocco Maue to load the bases.

Mason Prickett followed with a sacrifice fly that cut Moon's deficit to 6-5. Moments later, Hower scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. Ron Yardas hit another sacrifice fly to give the Tigers a one-run lead before Brian Shaffer launched a two-run home run to left.

Nate Owen was brought in to get the final out, but the damage was done.

“We can't walk the leadoff man and then give up (four) hits,” said Semega. “Physically, we are gifted. Mentally, we're out there thinking too much. We are worried about making mistakes.”

The offensive outburst was a welcomed sight for Moon coach Dom Santeufemio.

“Our strengths are pitching and defense, though it didn't show today (with six errors),” said Santeufemio. “If we get decent hitting this year, we'll be really good.”

Yardas pitched the bottom of the seventh for Moon. He allowed one baserunner in a scoreless frame to earn a save.

Moon's defense was not a strength Tuesday. Its six miscues led to four unearned runs with Hower on the mound. The right-hander started and worked five innings and gave up six runs (two earned).

“I thought Colton did well, but we didn't field well behind him,” said Santeufemio. “Nick (Rozzo) and Ron did a nice job holding Seneca down.”

The Raiders had leads of 3-1 after two innings and 5-4 after four innings. Center-fielder John Harper scored three runs while teammate Shane Hepner singled, doubled and drove in two runs.

Branden Schlick started for the Raiders and allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in 2 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking none. Troy Martin pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief between the third and fifth frames.

Moon 013 000 5 — 9 9 6

Seneca Valley 120 210 0 — 6 7 3

W: Nick Rozzo 1IP (2K, 1BB). L: Alex Hajduk 1 2/3IP (2K, 2BB). S: Ron Yardas 1IP (2K, 0BB).

Moon (3-0): Matt Capo 2B 2R, Colton Hower 1B R, Rocco Maue 2-1B 2R, Mason Prickett 2B 2RBI, Ron Yardas 2B 2RBI, Brian Casper 1B 2R, Brian Shaffer 1B HR 2RBI, Trevor Rasbach R

Seneca Valley (1-1): Shane Hepner 1B 2B 2RBI, John Harper 3R, Alex Hajduk 1B RBI, Vince Augustine 1B, Troy Martin RBI, John Davis 1B, Johnny Brittner 1B 2R, Jake Laskey 1B R

Today: Seneca Valley at Pine-Richland