JACKSON TWP — Danny Lynch broke out of his slump. Ryan Feczko kept the Union City Bears in theirs.

That combination was instrumental in Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's 7-2 PIAA Class 2A baseball tournament win Monday at Seneca Valley High School.

The win was the 11th in 13 games for CWNC.

Feczko tossed a one-hitter — a two-run doubler that barely got over the glove of Nate Saar in deep right field — and struck out nine in a complete-game effort. The sophomore left-hander threw 63 of his 88 pitches for strikes.

Feczko is the only player in the Trojans' starting lineup who isn't a senior.

“I want to do it for those guys,” he said. “This is their last ride and we want to keep it going as long as possible.

“We didn't have much of a scouting report on their hitters. I just tried to pound the zone with strikes and make them out the ball in play.”

Union City (17-6), out of District 10, entered the game with a .320 team batting average.

“But we've gotten two total hits in our last two games,” Bears coach Steve Yovich said. “Their kid did a great job of mixing up his pitches. We couldn't get a read on him.”

In the meantime, Union City used three pitchers in the first two innings as CWNC (19-5) started quickly. The Trojans scored three runs in the first inning and No. 9 hitter Nate Saar drilled a solo homer to left in the second.

Lynch, CWNC's shortstop and leadoff hitter, began the productive first inning with a single to center. He wound up going 4-for-4 with a triple, double, two singles and three runs scored.

“I've been in a slump lately,” Lynch said. “It felt great to break out of it.”

Lynch, hitting around .270 entering the game, will continue his baseball career at Williams College in Massachusetts next year. Second baseman Robby Randolph is headed to Grove City College.

“Most of our seniors won't be playing any more baseball once this season is over,” Lynch said. “We're all playing like it's our last game.”

Union City's third pitcher — junior Shad Haskins — is the team's staff ace, Yovich said.

“We could have started him, but our starter todaywas a senior and I was trying to set us up for the next round, too,” Yovich said.

Haskins stranded the bases loaded in the second inning and the Bears caught two runners trying to steal after Luc Madonna hit a sacrifice fly with the sacks jammed in the fourth.

“This could have been a lot worse,” Yovich said.

CWNC coach John Haggerty said the Trojans are entering “unchartered territory” in terms of the postseason.

“We haven't been this far in my time here,” Haggerty said. “I'm sure teams went on some nice (playoff) runs before me, but this state tournament win is a first for me and this group of kids.

“Ryan did a nice job of throwing strikes and using his defense. We didn't play a great game today, but it was good enough.”

Feczko singled home a run in the first and walked three times. He allowed only two walks himself.

Besides Lynch, no other Trojan had more than one hit.

“Our goal is to hang a state championship baseball banner in our gym because it doesn't have one,” Haggerty said. “To win a state title, seniors have to step up.

“That's what Danny did today. He was tremendous.”

CWNC plays Conemaugh Township — a 6-1 winner over Johnsonburg — in the next round Thursday at a site and time to be determined.

Union City 020 000 0 — 2 1 0

CW North Catholic 310 102 x — 7 9 0

W: Ryan Feczko 7IP (9K, 2BB). L: Jason Dougherty .2IP (2K, 1BB).

Union City (17-6): Nate Soliwada 2B 2-RBI

CWNC (19-5): Danny Lynch 3B 2B 2-1B RBI 3-R, Ryan Feczko 1B RBI, Jack Cassidy 1B RBI, Luc Madonna RBI, Joe Jordano 1B 2-RBI, Adam Cruttenden 1B, Nate Saar HR

Thursday: CWNC vs. Conemaugh Twp, site and time TBA