RURAL VALLEY — Central Cambria entered the top of the sixth inning tied with West Shamokin in the first round of the District 6 Class 3A high school baseball playoffs, but the Red Devils broke through with a five-spot to take control in a 14-8 victory that pushed them into a quarterfinal matchup at top-seeded Richland on Monday.

“The lineup delivered a complete offensive performance from top to bottom in a big team win,” Central Cambria coach Dan Beyer said. “Hitters one through nine showed great approaches at the plate all game long, staying disciplined, putting quality swings together, and executing in key situations.”

Ben Howard finished 4-for-4 and scored three runs, walked and also drove in a run.

“Ben Howard led the way offensively with a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate, helping keep pressure on the defense throughout the game,” Beyer said. “The team’s collective approach and timely hitting were major factors in the victory.”

Rocco Barra drove in four runs for Central Cambria, and Derek McConnell added three RBIs.

J.D. Brouse earned the win in relief with four scoreless innings to shut down the Wolves’ offense, which was fueled by eight Central Cambria walks.

Nick Krizmanich had three hits for West Shamokin, which finished the season 11-9.

CENTRAL CAMBRIA (14): Kirsch c 510, Brouse 1b 422, Howard rf 434, Pittsinger dh 231, McConnell lf 220, Barra ss 321, Murawski ss 000, Dawson 3b 402, Fisher cf 300, Shaffer 2b 400. Totals — 31-14-10.

WEST SHAMOKIN (8): Julius cf 300, Buffone 3b 310, McConnell 2b 310, Myers 1b 411, Scripps ss 320, McCullough p 220, N. Krizmanich c 313, Walters ph 100, Buffone lf 200, A. Krizmanich rf 200. Totals — 26-8-4.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Central Cambria 006 205 1–14 10 3

West Shamokin 034 100 0– 8 4 3

E–Buffone, Myers, Scripps, McConnell, Dawson, Shaffer. 2B–Howard, Myers. 3B–N. Krizmanich. RBI–Barra 4, McConnell 3, Fisher 2, Shaffer, Dawson, Pittsinger, Howard, N. Krizmanich 3, Julius, Buffone. WP–Brouse. LP–Myers. SO–McCullough 5, Myers 4, Wingard 3, Brouse 3. BB–McCullough 5, McConnell 2, Myers 2, Dawson 5, Wingard 2, Brouse 1.

Records: Central Cambria (10-11); West Shamokin (11-9).

NBC walks it off

LOYSBURG — Jordan Free hit a walk-off single to lift Northern Bedford to a 4-3 victory over Everett in a regular season game.

Free was 3-for-4, and Nolin Snider and Kolson Feathers each had two hits.

EVERETT (3): Spade lf 310, Whisel dh 412, Cornell p 100, Shaw ss 401, Dinnocenti c 400, Whitfield 1b 401, Cessna 3b 200, Sherwood 3b 000, Lucas rf 300, Cooper cf 311. Totals — 28-3-5.

NORTHERN BEDFORD (4): Feathers cf 332, Free ss 403, Kagarise 2b 200, Watson p 300, Snider dh 302, Swanseen 3b 200, Bowers lf 301, Zellers 1b 200, Baker rf 100, Lloyd rf 210. Totals — 25-4-8.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Everett 000 020 1–3 5 1

Northern Bedford 101 000 2–4 8 2

E–Swanseen, Kagarise, Cooper. 2B–Feathers. RBI–Kagarise, Free 2, Feathers. WP–Kagarise. LP–Shaw. SO–Watson 5, Kagarise 1, Cornell 5, Watson 5, Kagarise 1. BB–Watson 3, Kagarise 2, Cornell 3, Shaw 1.

Records: Everett (13-5); Northern Bedford (10-9).