JACKSON TWP — Eric Semega doesn't know how the 2012 season will play out.

Seneca Valley's veteran baseball coach is sure of one thing: If the Raiders are to make a run at a second straight WPIAL Quad-A title, their effort must improve after Monday's section game against Shaler.

SV committed four errors, left the bases loaded in back-to-back innings and received just three innings from pitching ace Matt Smith in a 9-4 loss to the Titans at Raider Field.

Shaler's win ties the Titans with the Raiders for first place in Section 1 with a record of 3-1.

But Semega is more concerned with his team's latest performance.

“It was just poor fundamental baseball on our side of the field, both offensively and defensively,” he said.

The game's biggest momentum swing came in the top of the third inning when Shaler plated five runs, helped along by several SV miscues.

Leading 1-0, the Titans were awarded a run when, with the bases loaded, Jim Hughes' swing was interfered with by SV catcher Brad Gresock.

Tom Orr then laced a two-run single for a 3-0 lead.

Before Smith was able to close the inning, Shaler scored two more times — once on a double steal and another on a fielding error.

When the top of the fourth inning began, Zach Spangler was on the mound, closing the book on Smith, who allowed six runs on five hits.

Smith struck out three and walked two.

“When you leave a ball waist-high continuously, I don't care how fast you're throwing, you're going to pay for it,” said Semega. “Shaler did a good job of hitting his mistakes today.”

“(Smith's) best pitch is his curveball,” said Shaler coach Brian Junker. “When you get a first-pitch fastball from him, you better jump on it and we did that today.”

The Raiders (7-2 overall) chipped away at Shaler's lead, scoring one run in the third, fourth and fifth inning. Sam Fragale belted a run-scoring double and Jason Martin an RBI single in that span.

But Seneca also left the bases loaded in the second and third as Titans starter Matt Bernick squeezed out of both jams. For the game, the Raiders left nine on base. Several baserunning mistakes did not help their cause.

Shaler (8-2 overall) added three runs late, including a solo home run from catcher Derek Sullivan in the top of the sixth.

Bernick pitched the first four innings and earned the win. The Titans turned to Ryan Gallagher for the last three frames. The duo held a potent SV offense to four runs on seven hits, but also combined to hit four batters.

“They let a few guys on base,” said Junker of his pitching duo. “But they did enough. We won this game with our offense. Through the first few games, offense was not our strength.”

The Raiders have two more crucial games this week — at North Allegheny Wednesday and at home against Butler on Friday.

“I'm not sure where we go from here,” said Semega. “We need to get some things fixed. Until those things correct themselves, this is what's going to happen.”

Notes: SV's last run came when Austin Bream's seventh-inning double scored Fragale. ... Spangler pitched the final four innings for the Raiders, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out two and not walking a batter.

Shaler 105 001 2 — 9 11 2Seneca Valley 001 110 1 — 4 7 4W: Matt Bernick 4 IP (4K, 1BB).

L: Matt Smith 3 IP (3K, 2BB).

Shaler (8-2, 3-1): Derek Sullivan 1B HR 2R, Taylor Colamarino 2-1B R, Ryan Mincher 1B 2B R RBI, Jim Hughes R, Tom Orr 1B R 2RBI, Alec McElroy 2-1B R, Tyler Temple 1B R RBI, Brandon Killian 1B R

Seneca Valley (7-2, 3-1): Jon Dorogy 1B R, Brad Gresock 1B, Sam Fragale 2B 2R RBI, Austin Bream 2B RBI, Zach Spangler 2-1B, Matt Smith RBI, Jason Martin 1B RBI, Dan Barna R

Wednesday: Seneca Valley at North Allegheny