The Riverside Panthers got out to a five-run lead in the fourth inning and held on for a 5-3 victory over District 6 champion Mount Union on Monday in the opening round of the PIAA Class-2A Playoffs.
Riverside got things moving in the first inning, when Bo Fornataro singled on a 3-1 count, scoring one run. The visiting Panthers struck for two more runs in the third and fourth innings to stretch their lead to 5-0 before Mount Union could respond.
Mount Union scored single runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth to close the gap but could not complete the comeback.
Riverside totaled seven hits in the game. The 3-4 punch of Darren McDade and Fornataro each racked up multiple hits for the Panthers. Madden Boehm, McDade, and Ashton Schlosser each collected doubles in the victory. Evan Burry scored a team-high two runs.
Ronnie Harper pitched the Panthers to victory. Harper surrendered one run on four hits over three innings, striking out one and walking zero. Christian Lucarelli, Boehm, and Hunter Garvin all put in work in relief out of the bullpen, steering their team towards the victory. Boehm recorded the last three outs to earn the save for Riverside.
Bryce Danish took the loss for Mount Union. Danish surrendered two runs on four hits over four innings, striking out three and walking zero. Ryan Scott started the game for Mount Union. The bulldog went three innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out eight.
Mount Union (21-3 Overall) collected ten hits on the day. Landon Chrisemer, Danish, Cameron Donaldson, and Blaine Hunsinger all had multiple hits for Mount Union.
Riverside (17-6 Overall) next advances to play WPIAL foe Neshannock in the PIAA Class-2A semifinals scheduled for Thursday, June 9 at a site to be determined. Neshannock, who fell to Serra Catholic in the WPIAL Championship game, defeated District 10 champion West Middlesex 4-3 in its PIAA opening round contest. [VIEW FULL BRACKET]
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