Riverside used a big sixth inning Wednesday afternoon at Wild Things Park in Washington, PA to claim the Class-3A WPIAL Championship with a 6-1 victory over Neshannock.
The Panthers score five times in the frame, batting around the order to break open the 1-1 contest. Five singles started the inning with the biggest coming off the bat of Mitch Garvin as he delivered a two run single to put Riverside ahead 3-1. After a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly netted two more runs, Evan Burry collected a single to put Riverside ahead 6-1.
After four scoreless innings started the championship contest, the Lancers scratched out a run in the top half of the fifth inning, but Riverside was able to quickly counter with its own run in the bottom half of the frame. Sam Barber knocked a RBI double into right center field to score Dylan Fox to knot the game at one.
source: wpial.org
Sophomore Christian Luccarelli started for Riverside, lasting 4.2 innings on the mound before giving way to Hunter Garvin who earned the victory. Lucarelli battled against some walks, but was only charged with one earned run and allowed only four singles to Neshannock. Lucarellia struck out eight Lancers. Garvin did not allow a hit in his 2.1 innings of relief duties.
Offensively for Riverside, Bo Fornataro led the attack with three singles while Barber and Ashton Schlosser collected the game’s only extra base hits with doubles respectively. Drake Fox earned two walks at the dish and scored a team high two runs for Riverside.
For a third time this season Riverside was able to shed section foe Neshannock after the Panthers knocked off the Lancers 12-4 and 4-3 in a back-to-back series in the regular season.
After collecting its 6th WPIAL Championship in program history, Riverside (21-0 Overall) next advances to the PIAA State Playoffs next week to play District 6 runner up Tyrone on Monday at a time to be determined.
According to TribHSSN, Riverside becomes the ninth team to win a WPIAL title with an undefeated record in the last 50 years.
Perfection!! Riverside keeps its perfect season intact and claims a sixth WPIAL title after beating Neshannock, 6-1, in the Class 3A final. Dan Oliastro’s guys get it done, using a five-run sixth to surge ahead. pic.twitter.com/OwJx7w6Pe7
— Brad Everett (@BREAL412) May 31, 2023
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