CRESSON, Pa. – McDowell’s Dan Snyder was sharp against Altoona in their PIAA Class 6A subregional, but the Mountain Lions’ Evan Alwine was just a little bit better.
Alwine fired a no-hitter, leading to a 2-0 win over the Trojans and a date with WPIAL runner-up Upper St. Clair in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Alwine allowed just four base runners – two of which came in the first inning. An error on a fly ball off the bat of Spencer Dietz gave McDowell a runner on second to lead things off, and Snyder walked with one away to put two on. The next better, Jake Banks, lined into a 6-3 double play to end the threat, however.
The same situation played out in the sixth inning with Altoona leading 2-0. Josh Samluk reached on an error to lead off the inning and Snyder walked, this time with you outs. Alwine was able to get Banks to fly out to end the inning.
Altoona struck for both of its runs in the third inning, courtesy of a Lucas Muffie home two-out, two-run home run, also scoring Michael Riccio, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.
Snyder’s final line read six innings pitched, four hits allowed, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts.
Connor Blough had two hits for Altoona.
