Freeport's Ben Beale tries catching New Castle runner Marcus Hooker (9) off third base during the Yellowjackets' 8-3 loss in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs Tuesday.

JACKSON TWP — One bad inning often costs a baseball team a game.

The consequence was a much tougher pill for Freeport to swallow on Tuesday afternoon.

New Castle's 5-run third inning spelled the end to the Yellowjackets' season as they dropped an 8-3 decision in a WPIAL Class 4A first-round playoff game at Seneca Valley's Raider Field.

The Red Hurricanes tallied seven of their 15 hits in the frame, sending 11 batters to the plate.

The 'Jackets best chance at a big inning came in the bottom of the fifth. Nick DeRosa's walk to Cowan loaded the bases with just one out. Aiden Skradski scored on Sean Furlong's sacrifice fly and Matt Charlton's fly ball was caught to end the threat, stranding runners at first and second.

Freeport nearly claimed a share of the Section 1 title. The 'Jackets were the only section foe to hand Knoch a loss this season.

Read the full story in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.