NESHANNOCK TWP — Timely hitting.

Blackhawk got it.

Knoch didn't.

That was the difference in the Knights' first-round WPIAL 4A playoff game against the Cougars.

Knoch had chances, but they were foiled by Blackhawk pitcher Marco Borello at every turn in a 4-0 loss Wednesday night at Neshannock High School.

“We had guys on most innings,” said Knoch coach Sean O'Donnell. “That's how the second half of our season has gone. We've had guys on base and guys on base and we haven't gotten the big hit. The first half of the year, we were getting them every game and in the second half we weren't getting them.”

It looked like Knoch had gotten one in the top of the first inning.

After Borello had recorded two quick outs, Sean McGill singled and Braden Tristani followed with a shot to the left-centerfield gap.

O'Donnell waved McGill around third, but McGill was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

“To be honest I would do it again 10 out of 10 times,” O'Donnell said. “It was a rip to the gap with two outs. They made two great throws. For them and for us that was a huge play in the first inning. It changed the momentum.”

Blackhawk left fielder Hunter Woodward corralled the gap shot and quickly turned and fired to shortstop Zach Zuchelli, who then fired a perfect strike to catcher Justin Nixon to get McGill easily.

“Woodward did a nice job. It was perfect,” said Blackhawk coach Bob Amalia. “He threw it right to Zach and he was quick and threw a strike to home. It was a huge play.”

Knoch (10-8), had other opportunities.

The Knights stranded eight runners on base in the game, including three in scoring position.

Borello was unflappable.

“He isn't overpowering, but he throws three pitches for strikes,” Amalia said.

Knoch pitcher Jack Bartek also threw strikes.

Bartek didn't walk a batter — although he hit one on his first pitch of the game — and struck out four.

The senior right-hander only gave up two earned runs.

“They had opportunities and they got their guys in,” O'Donnell said. “We had opportunities and we didn't. That's how it goes sometimes. I'm proud of our guys. They fought. It wasn't like we laid down and laid an egg tonight.

“Jack did what we expected him to do,” O'Donnell added. “You're not going to win any games with zero runs.”

Blackhawk got to Bartek in the second inning. Jarett Wright led off with a single and scored on a double by Matt Randza, who later scored on a RBI groundout by Woodward.

The Cougars (14-4) tacked on two more runs, both unearned in the third inning and in the fifth.

Gavin Phillips and McGill each had a pair of singles for Knoch.

As if the loss wasn't hard enough, senior Isaac Love injured his leg on a groundout that ended the game.

“I feel bad for the seniors to end like that, especially Isaac getting hurt on the last play,” O'Donnell said. “That's not how you want the game to end, but I said to them they should leave here with their heads held high.”

Knoch 000 000 0 — 0 6 3

Blackhawk 021 010 x — 4 7 2

W: Marco Borello 7IP (3K, 0BB). L: Jack Bartek 6IP (4K, 0BB).

Knoch (10-8): Sean McGill 2-1B, Braden Tristani 2B, Gavin Phillips 2-1B, Isaac Roddy 1B

Blackhawk (14-4): Borello 2B, John Malagise 1B, Jarett Wright 1B, Carter Creighton 1B RBI, Matt Randza 2B RBI, Justin Nixon 2-1B, Hunter Woodward RBI