North Allegheny and Central Catholic faced off in game two of their series from North Allegheny High School on Wednesday afternoon. After the Tigers won 6-1 on Monday, the Vikings came back with fire and took NA to the brink but North Allegheny ultimately won the game 8-7 in eight innings.

Central Catholic got on the board in the top of the first inning, jumping out to a 1-0 lead. The Tigers responded with three in the bottom of the first when Jake Fritz singled, JJ Mancuso walked, and Mason Dratfinsky singled, scoring them both and advancing to second on the throw. Ryan Evanish singled home Dratfinsky and NA led 3-1 after an inning of play.

The Vikings scored a run in the third and one in the fourth to tie the score 3-3. North Allegheny exploded in the bottom of the fourth as Gavin Ust singled, Dominic Williamson walked, and Carter Boehm singled on a bunt to score Ust. Jake Fritz singled home Williamson, and Mancuso singled, scoring Jake Fritz, making the score 7-3.

Central Catholic responded with three runs of their own in the top of the fifth and the Tiger lead was cut to 7-6. In the top of the seventh, the Vikings scratched a run across to tie the game 7-7. NA couldn’t answer in the bottom of the seventh and we were going to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Central Catholic went down in order. Williamson led off the bottom of the eighth with a single. Boehm sacrificed, bunting him to second, and Jake Fritz put the game away with an RBI double, giving NA the 8-7 victory.

Jake Fritz was 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Dratfinsky had two hits and Mancuso drove in two runs.

Lucas Manczka got the start, going four innings, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned). He struck out five. Preston Howard went a third of an inning, Jude Swartz went two-thirds of an inning, and Jake Fritz picked up the win, going three innings of relief, allowing two hits and a run (unearned). Fritz struck out three.

Jake Frtiz was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game with his four-hit night, three innings of relief, picking up the win and having the walk-off hit.

North Allegheny improves to 6-4 overall and 3-2 in the section. Central Catholic falls to 6-6 overall and 5-3 in section play. The Tigers will go for the sweep of the Vikings tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. at No Offseason Sports Complex in Russellton.