JACKSON TWP — In search of its fifth section win of the season, the Seneca Valley softball team received a bit of damage control from senior pitcher Nikki Matz.

North Hills had just tied Friday's game at 1-all when Darian Richards drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the top of the fourth frame. But the Indians were unable to make it a big inning as Matz induced Jessica Keller to fly out, ending the threat with three stranded baserunners.

The Raiders then scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to earn a 4-1 win at Raider Field.

Matz allowed just the one run on three hits, striking out six and walking three in a complete game. She allowed just two baserunners over the final three innings and one of those came on a throwing error in the top of the seventh.

Matz is in the middle of her third season as SV's starter in the circle.

“It makes it a whole lot easier when you have someone out there like Nikki,” said Raiders' coach George Trew. “You know that she isn't going to get rattled because of a couple of walks or hits. She's going to bear down and give you her best.”

Matz also had a hand in SV's decisive fifth inning. Following back-to-back singles from Jess Neill and Marie Marnik, Matz walked to load the bases with one out.

Neill scored on Julia Zezinka's fielder's choice to put the Raiders (5-1, 5-1) up by a run. Morgan Aloi followed with a two-run triple to deep right.

“That was a big hit,” Trew said. “When you can have a three-run lead instead of just one run, it takes the tension away. You can relax and just go out and play.”

The Raiders' four runs on seven hits were charged to Lindsey Wittig, who took the loss with seven strikeouts and two walks.

“We always have confidence in Lindsey,” said North Hills coach Libby Gasior. “We know that when she's in there, we're going to have a chance to win.”

The Indians (3-2, 3-2) had scored a combined 31 runs during a three-game winning streak entering Friday's action.

“Matz had a good game,” said Gasior. “I think our girls were frustrated early and we were just unable to shake that.”

SV scored the game's first run in the bottom of the third when Neill reached on a bunt single, stole second base and came home on a throwing error.

Neill ended the game with three hits.

“We've been hitting the ball well overall and had four girls hitting above .400 before today,” said Trew. “We're getting eight or nine hits almost every game.”

North Hills 000 100 0 — 1 3 2

Seneca Valley 001 030 x — 4 7 1

W: Nikki Matz 7 IP (6K, 3BB). L: Lindsey Wittig 6 IP (7K, 2BB).

North Hills (3-2, 3-2): Madison Posterino 1B R, Anna McNickle 1B, Allyson Gitzen 1B, Darian Richards RBI

Seneca Valley (5-1, 5-1): Jess Neill 3-1B 2R, Marie Marnik 1B, Elayna Nagy 2B, Julia Zezinka 1B R RBI, Morgan Aloi 3B 2RBI, Morgan Prouty R

Saturday: Butler at Seneca Valley