Nick Amendola pitched a three-hit shutout, and #9 Norwin outlasted #13 Bethel Park, 3-0. The game was played at Boyce-Mayview Field in Upper St. Clair on May 20.

This is the third straight shutout for Norwin (19-4).

Norwin started the scoring in the top of the third. Bobby Svec got a hit, and scored on Reno Rainey’s RBI single. Rainey then scored after Ethan Sikora hit an RBI double. This made the score 2-0.

Norwin then got an insurance run in the top of the sixth. Vinnie Shoff scored after Daniel Kiester’s RBI single.

BP pitcher Corey Augenstein (5-2) allowed eight hits, including four in the third inning. He struck out four and walked none.

“Augie gutted it out,” Bethel Park coach Tony Fisher said to the Tribune Review. “He didn’t have his best stuff, but he did pitch well enough to win. They got a couple key hits when they needed to. Credit them for being a tough team to strike out.”

However, the star pitcher of the night was Norwin’s Nick Amendola (5-2). Though he only struck out four, he only allowed three hits due to his wicked curveball. In addition, only five BP players got on base. Even with Amendola’s previous struggles (he allowed 25 runs and 39 hits in 28 innings), he was able to control BP’s offense.

“Nicky had struggled lately but really came through today,” Norwin catcher Mike Rossi said to the Tribune Review. “He hit the zone with everything.”

Amendola was also helped by his defense. In the sixth inning, second baseman Shoff caught a sinking line drive to save a hit. Meanwhile, Rossi threw out three runners during the game.

“We don’t have big strikeout pitchers,” Norwin coach Mike Liebdzinski said to the Tribune Review. “Our thing the whole year has been to throw strikes. We have tremendous infield defense. Throw it low, have them hit some ground balls and make the plays behind them.”

BP (13-8) had their best chance to score in the first inning, when two batters reached base. However, neither player could score. Another big opportunity was in the fourth inning. After a hit by pitch, the runner tried to steal second but failed. Afterwards, Rob Morosetti hit a double for the Black Hawks, but could not score.

“BP had a chance to score. We just could not score,” Justin Sackett said.

Norwin will advance to the WPIAL finals to play Central Catholic at Consol Energy Park in Washington, PA. The game will occur on Tuesday or Wednesday.