Dan Pickard hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie with New Castle and lift the Knoch High School baseball team to a 4-2 win Wednesday afternoon.

Austin Leffler also hit a home run for the Knights (9-9).

John Lefevre picked up the win, striking out 10 and walking just one.

In other action:

Steve Scott doubled and singled, but Butler fell to 1-13 on the season with a 6-1 loss against Kiski Area.

Jake Lassinger and Mike Barch each hit home runs as Freeport routed Apollo-Ridge 13-4.

Sophomore catcher Brad Ballantine hit a solo home run to lead off the sixth inning as Grove City clung to a one-run lead and helped the Eagles emerge with a 12-9 win over Erie Cathedral Prep.

Dan Keil homered and drove in four runs for Grove City.

New Castle 000 110 0 - 2 7 2

Knoch 010 102 x - 4 6 2

WP:

John Lefevre (7 IP) 10 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Malley (6 IP) 6 strikeouts, 3 walks

Knoch (9-9):

Austin Leffler HR, RBI; Dan Pickard HR, 2-RBI

Monday:

Knoch at Mars

Butler 000 000 1 - 1 4 4

Kiski Area 021 030 x - 6 5 0

WP:

Derek Fallecker (7 IP) 6 strikeouts, 0 walks.

LP:

Jim McCaslin (4 IP) 3 strikeouts, 5 walks

Butler (1-13):

Steve Scott 1B, 2B; Aaron Ordy 1B; Brandon Johnson 1B

Kiski:

Yingling 2B; Retter 2B

Today:

Butler at Hampton

Freeport 104 440 0 - 13 13 1

Apollo-Ridge 000 220 0 - 4 4 2

WP:

Mike Barch (7 IP) 9 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP:

Shallenberger (3 IP) 3 strikeouts, 3 walks

Freeport (7-7, 6-4):

Jake Lassinger HR, 2B, 1B; Barch HR, 1B; Kory Micholas 2-1B

Apollo-Ridge:

McGonigle HR

Saturday:

Freeport at Shadyside, 1 p.m.; Highlands at Freeport, 7 p.m.

Cath. Prep 100 332 0 - 9 10 1

Grove CIty 007 122 x - 12 15 2

WP:

Bob Revesz (3 IP) 6 strikeouts, 3 walks.

LP:

Eric Panko (4 IP) 4 strikeouts, 2 walks

Erie Cathedral Prep:

Jake Perez HR; Shane Braendel 1B, HR; Phil Torchio 2-1B; Shane Pacileo 1B, 2B

Grove City (9-4):

Dan Keil 2-2B, HR, 4-RBI; Jesse Alfreno 2B, 1B; Bill Herman 2-1B; Bob Revesz 2B; Dan Sonntag 2-1B, 2B; Brad Ballantine HR

Today:

Titusville at Grove City

Hannah Taggart doubled and Brie Berkopec drove in a run with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning, but they were too little, too late for the Mars softball team in a 3-1 loss to Valley.The Planets (10-4, 7-2) were the victim of a great pitching effort by Bethany Nealer. The Valley hurler struck out 18 for the win.Elsewhere:Kait Moretti had Grove City's lone hit in a 5-0 loss to Meadville.Valley 120 000 0 - 3 5 0Mars 000 000 1 - 1 2 1WP:Bethany Nealer (7 IP) 18 strikeouts, 0 walks.LP:Kayla Durkin (7 IP) 2 strikeouts, 2 walksValley (7-5, 5-3):Lydia Waltonbaugh 2-1BMars (10-4, 7-2):Hannah Taggart 2B; Brie Berkopec 1B, RBIToday:Mars at New CastleGrove City 000 000 0 - 0 1 3Meadville 200 003 x - 5 5 1WP:Pifer (7 IP) 3 strikeouts, 2 walks.LP:Krista Chiappini (6 IP) 0 strikeouts, 1 walkGrove City (8-5, 5-4):Kait Moretti 1BMeadville:Rusilko 1B 3BMonday:Grove City @ Franklin