North Allegheny traveled to No Offseason in Russellton to take on the Central Catholic Vikings in a Section 1-6A contest. The Tigers used a three-run second inning and great pitching to come away with a 6-1 victory in the series opener.

After a scoreless first inning, Mason Dratfinsky walked, Ryan Evanish doubled and Gavin Ust walked to load the bases with no outs. Dominic Williamson hit a sacrifice fly, Jake Frtiz walked, and Nate Fritz reached on an error that scored Evanish and Ust to give NA a 3-0 lead.

Things remained quiet until the top of the sixth inning when Evanish walked, Ust was hit by a pitch, Williamson laid down a sacrifice bunt and Ben Kowger got the squeeze bunt down to expand the North Allegheny lead to 4-0.

Central Catholic would score in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the score 4-1, but the Tigers responded with two insurance runs when Nate Fritz walked, Christian Simons walked and Dratfinsky drove them both in on a single to make the final score 6-1.

Evanish was 2-for-3 while Dratfinsky drove in two runs.

Liam Cooper got the win, going six innings, allowing one run on five hits. He struck out five. Jake Fritz got the final three outs, striking out one.

North Allegheny improves to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the section. Central Catholic falls to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in section play. The Tigers and Vikings run it back tomorrow at North Allegheny at 7 p.m. This game will be broadcast on the North Allegheny Sports Network.