The Bethel Park Black Hawks split the series with the Peters Township Indians this week to advance to 5-1 in section play.

Evan LeJeune took the bump for the Hawks in game one at Purkey Field. LeJeune dealt through 2 2/3 innings allowing four runs on three hits. Junior sensation Jack Edner came into a bases-loaded jam in the third; however, he showed the ice in his veins by recording the strikeout. Edner would throw 4 1/3 innings allowing 0 runs and three Ks to keep the Hawks in the game.

The bats came alive early, scoring a run in each of the first two innings started by a double by Senior Gianni Magnotti. Senior Jason Nuttridge recorded two hits.

The Hawks would win in eight innings on a walk-off fielder’s choice by Senior Coby Goelz.

Following the huge win to advance to an undefeated 5-0 in section play, ace Evan Holewinski would take the rubber in game two. He carried the Hawks, throwing 6 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on 12 hits. He also hit a two-run homer in the third, leading the offense as well.

After reaching the pitch limit of 100 pitches in the seventh, senior closer Sebastian Schein came in to shut down the Indians. With the game being tied at two after seven, the game would go to extras. The Hawks rallied in the eighth and ninth innings; however, no runs were scored. The tie was broken when Peters Township senior Jack Lutte hit a walk-off home run to seal the win for the Indians.

Despite the tough loss, the Hawks still own an impressive 5-1 record and hold a strong two-game lead in WPIAL 5A Section 2. The Trib ranks Bethel Park as the second-best team in WPIAL 5A behind the mighty Shaler Titans.

The Hawks will look to bounce back against the always-dangerous Indiana Indians on Friday and in the second to last section series of the year against the Connellsville Falcons.