JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley softball team saw a golden opportunity slip by in the first inning of Wednesday's game against North Allegheny.

They weren't about to let it happen again.

Liz Dorogy and Dana Hughes hit consecutive two-out RBI singles in the fourth inning to give the Raiders a 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

After the Tigers stranded two runners in the first inning, the Raiders loaded the bases with one out but couldn't plate a run as Jackie Mangola lined out to the first baseman and Chelsea Leasure grounded out.

"You've got to be able to hold a lead," said Seneca Valley coachGeorge Trew. "We got a run down (in the third inning) but didn't let it bother us. We got a couple of runs and Lauren (Pennell) pitched a great game."

Pennell scattered four hits in going the distance, striking out one and walking two.

"We're very satisfied," said Tigers coach Rick Meister. "I think Seneca Valley has the best offense in the section and we held them to two runs at their place."

The Tigers had taken the lead when Ali Morse led off the third inning with a double in front of a diving Dorogy in center field.

Brittany Bennett followed with a grounder to Raiders shortstop Aly Intihar, who looked Morse back to second and threw out Bennett at first base. Julie Angeloni then lined an RBI single to drive in Morse.

The Tigers eventually put runners at first and second with two outs, but Pennell induced Lauren Vrabel to ground out and end the threat.

The Raiders (7-5, 2-2) took the lead one inning later when, after one out, Leasure doubled under the glove of right fielder Kelsey Fedell. Courtney Grootegoed lined a single to put runners on the corners, but Tigers pitcher Laura Boselovic struck out Nicole Lollo for the second out.

Dorogy and Hughes each singled to drive home the Raiders' scores. Hughes stole second base to put a pair of runners in scoring position, but Julie Marlowe grounded out.

The Tigers (7-4, 0-3) mounted one more threat in the seventh inning, which put the tying run at second base. With one out, Stephanie Smith singled and moved to second on a fielder's choice. Pennell then got Bennett to ground out and end the game.

The Tigers now find themselves without a section win so far.

"We've filled about 6½ positions with new people," said Meister. "We've dug ourselves in a hole. There are three playoff teams coming out of our section and 7-3 will get us there, but we've used up all our chips. We can't stumble."

"(North Allegheny's) still good. That's a good team," said Trew. "I'm surprised they're 0-3 and they'll win their share of games. It's nice, though, to put this one behind us.

"That gives us some momentum going to Butler on Friday. If we lose (Wednesday's) game, we go in Friday with a losing record and looking for help."

North Allegheny 001 000 0—1 4 1Seneca Valley 000 200 x—2 5 1WP: Lauren Pennell (7 IP) 1 strikeout, 2 walks.

LP: Laura Boselovic (6 IP) 2 strikeouts, 4 walks

North Allegheny (7-4, 0-3): Julie Angeloni 2-1B, RBI; Stephanie Smith 1B; Ali Morse 2B

Seneca Valley (7-5, 2-2): Dana Hughes 1B, RBI; Aly Intihar 1B; Chelsea Leasure 2B; Courtney Grootegoed 1B; Liz Dorogy 1B, RBI

Friday: Seneca Valley at Butler