JEFFERSON TWP - The Knoch baseball team has struggled getting hits in key situations all season long.

That struggle finally was rewarded during Wednesday's game with Pine-Richland, when, with the score tied at two in the bottom of the sixth inning, Knoch catcher Justin Demek's single brought home John Lefevre and Bob Kruth.

The runs proved to be the difference in a 4-2 victory over the Rams in a Section 1-AAA clash at Laura Doerr Park.

"That's what we've been working on the last few weeks," Knoch coach Curt Schnur. "And the big difference was that (Justin) had two strikes on him and he was swinging. Regardless if it was a hit or not, he put the ball in play."

Lefevre pitched a complete game in the win, striking out six and walking one. He allowed the two earned runs on six hits.

"Anytime (Lefevre) is pitching, they've got a chance to win the game," said Pine-Richland coach Jeff Rojik.

Knoch began the sixth inning with consecutive infield hits from Lefevre and Kruth.

With one out, both runners advanced on a passed ball before Demek came to the plate.

Demek hit the ball so hard, he was held to just a single even though the ball reached the left-field fence.

But the damage was done.

Rams starter Garrett Pampiks pitched the entire game, striking out six, walking two and allowing seven hits.

"(In the last few innings), he had a blister on his throwing hand that started bleeding," said Rojik. "It wasn't a good outing for him.

"In the first few innings, he was able to get by on his velocity," added Rojik. "But he wasn't getting in front of too many hitters."

Knoch (7-7, 3-5) grabbed a 2-0 lead with runs in the third and fourth innings.

Pine-Richland answered with a two-spot in the top of the fifth frame.

With one on and two outs, the Rams received RBI singles from Colin Durborow and Ryan Schleiden.

But with the go-ahead run on second base, Lefevre struck out John Karr looking to end the threat.

It was one of eight runners the Rams left on base.

With the tying run at the plate in the top of the seventh inning, Lefevre finished things off by striking out Schleiden and Karr to end the game.

"John's a competitor," Schnur said of his starting pitcher. "He wants to be in there in situations like that. He came up with some big pitches in key situations for us today."

Lefevre and Demek each tallied two hits for Knoch while Durborow did the same for the Rams.

It was only the second section defeat suffered by Pine-Richland (7-5, 7-2) this year.

"We know anytime we come up here it's going to be a one or two-run game," said Rojik. "Knoch always plays us tough and today, they got the key hits."

Pine-Richland 000 020 0 - 2 6 0

Knoch 001 102 x - 4 7 2

WP:

John Lefevre (7 IP) 6 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Garrett Pampiks (6 IP) 6 strikeouts, 2 walks

Pine-Richland (7-5, 7-2):

Mark Scriven 1B, Colin Durborow 2-1B R RBI SB, Ryan Schleiden 1B RBI, Garrett Pampiks 1B, Josh Spicer 1B, Brian Miller R.

Knoch (7-7, 3-5):

John Lefevre 1B 2B R RBI, Bob Kruth 1B R, Austin Leffler R, Justin Demek 2-1B 2RBI, Erik Christensen 1B RBI, Cory Green 1B R.

Today:

Knoch at Hampton