When looking at the box score of last week's showdown between Chartiers Valley and Keystone Oaks, Colts fans might be concerned that the squad did not have a single hit.
But somehow Chartiers Valley was able to find runs to defeat the Golden Eagles, 2-0.
"It was an ugly game," Chartiers Valley coach Jim Jaskowski said. "Our pitching was really good and we played well on defense. But outside of that there wasn't much good from it. But we will take it at this point in the season. A win is a win."
The teams battled to a 0-0 stalemate through the first 2 1⁄2 innings. Chartiers Valley came to the plate in the bottom of the third and got a runner to first as Jake Horew was walked.
Horew got to second on a steal with Erie Hart was at the plate. Hart took off on an uncaught third strike. The Keystone Oaks catcher made a throw to first, but it went over the first baseman's head into the outfield. The error put Hart on first and drove Horew home.
Hart made it to third on a Jon Kletzi sacrifice. On the next batter, a throw to Keystone Oaks pitcher John Beveridge went over the intended target, and Hart stole home to put the Colts up, 2-0.
"We got runs anyway we could find them," Jaskowski said. "Games in this section are hard enough, and if they are giving you opportunities, you got to take them."
The game was dominated by pitchers. Keystone Oaks' John Beveridge tossed six innings in which he struck out six, walked three and hit one batter. Chartiers Valley's Matt Mulvihill gave up three hits with no walks, with five strikeouts, in seven innings.
"It was his best performance to date," Jaskowski said. "He had his best stuff (against Keystone Oaks)."
The loss dropped Keystone Oaks' record to 3-7 and put the Golden Eagles in seventh in Section 3-AAA. The win boosted the Colts' section mark to 8-2 and put thwm in full control of the section. South Park and Thomas Jefferson trailed the Colts with 7-3 records.
"Thomas Jefferson, South Park, Montour and West Mifflin are all really good teams," Jaskowski said. "It seems the section is always very competitive."
The Colts close out the season with two Section 3-AAA showdowns with South Park tomorrow, Friday, and a home-game finale against Montour on Monday.
"It is make it or break it time," Jaskowski said. "Every team we play is going to be a challenge. If we are focused and play to our abilities, we can compete with anyone."
