SLIPPERY ROCK — Matt Gordon has battled illness and injury all season.

The Grove City High senior pitcher has never really been able to get into a groove on the mound because of it.

Until Tuesday.

Gordon threw a four-hit shutout, using a lively fastball and a sharp curveball to quiet the Warren bats as the Eagles beat the Dragons 4-0 in the first round of the District 10 Class AAA playoffs at Jack Critchfield Park.

Even in the win against Warren, Gordon was battling ailments.

“He’s had some Achilles tenderness the last couple of weeks,” said Grove City coach Bill Herman. “He really had a gutsy performance today. He really put the team on his back and did exactly what you want your ace to do in a game like this.”

After the win, Gordon walked slowly from where the Eagles huddled to the dugout and declined comment, saying he didn’t feel well.

He looked pretty good on the mound, however.

Gordon struck out four and walked only one in the win. The only four hits he gave up were singles.

Warren coach Rick Eaton said he had a feeling his team was in for a battle when he saw Gordon penciled in the Grove City lineup as the starting pitcher.

“I knew it wasn’t the best match-up for us because he’s the one horse that can carry a team,” Eaton said. “He carried them today.”

Gordon, who was the District 10 Pitcher of the Year last season, got some help from his defense, which played almost flawlessly behind him.

Grove City did make two throwing errors, but they didn’t cost the Eagles.

Gordon also picked off a runner.

Herman was just happy to see his ace back out on the mound and dominating again.

“It’s been an up-and-down year for the team and it’s been a couple injuries here and there for Matt,” Herman said. “Being a win-or-go-home situation and for him to go out and throw a great game, it was awesome to see.”

Grove City (9-7) got a run for Gordon in the top of the first inning as Jordan Anderson doubled and then scored on a single by Jesse Hodge.

Warren (15-5) pitcher Tanner Stanz then retired the next 10 batters he faced before the flood gates opened in the fifth.

Grove City plated three runs in the frame, keyed by a two-run singled by Jared Sample, and chased Stanz. Warren pitchers walked four in the inning, including Gordon with the bases loaded.

“I don’t know if we walked four guys in a game this year as a staff,” Eaton said. “It wasn’t in the cards from the get-go. Grove City had some tough at-bats. They had good fundamental at-bats and put the ball in play.”

The Eagles will play Corry at 4 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at Critchfield Park.

They may be without first baseman Doug Horner, who left the game in the big fifth inning with a leg injury.

“He had a knee injury previously, and we hope he didn’t aggravate it again,” Herman said. “We’re going to need all hands on deck to be successful.”

Herman likes the way his team is playing heading into the semifinals.

“We’re a scary team right now. I don’t think anyone really wants to play us,” Herman said. “We’re getting hot at the right time and hopefully we can carry this over to Friday.”

Grove City 100 030 0 — 4 4 2

Warren 000 000 0 — 0 4 0

W: Matt Gordon 7IP (4K, 1BB). L: Tanner Stanz 4.1IP (4K, 2BB).

Grove City (9-7): Jared Sample 1B 2-RBI, Jordan Anderson 2B, Gordon RBI, Jesse Hodge 1B RBI, Derek Saylor 1B

Warren (15-5): Colin Fontaskey 1B, Derek Reagle 2-1B, Ryan Gustafson 1B

Friday: Grove City vs. Corry, 4 p.m., at Slippery Rock University