Sean Houston's shutout lifts Fairview into District 10 Class 3A baseball championship game

The Fairview baseball team flipped the script on Mercyhurst Prep.

One year after losing to the Lakers in the District 10 Class 3A semifinals, the Tigers earned redemption in the same round behind a four-hit shutout from senior pitcher Sean Houston.

Fairview (15-3) claimed a 3-0 win on Thursday at Mercyhurst University, the same site as its semifinal loss one year ago.

"We knew coming into the season that we were going to face them multiple times," senior Logan Fiolek said. "It was going to come down to a close game in the playoffs. We knew that and, with this 'W,' it means a lot."

Mercyhurst Prep (14-7) won all three games between the Region 4 rivals in 2021. The Tigers returned the favor this season with a 3-0 mark in the season series.

Lakers pitcher Jake Manendo held Fairview in check during his first time through the lineup. The Tigers made the most of their second time through against the Mercyhurst Prep hurler, plating three runs in the fourth inning.

Aari Fox was the first Tiger to reach base, getting on via leadoff walk. Ed Dolansky got the first hit later in the frame with a single.

Fairview scored its runs on an RBI double by Fiolek and a two-run single by Collin Bolla.

GAME STATS: Fairview vs. Mercyhurst Prep

Previous round:Rivals Mercyhurst Prep, Fairview set up District 10 Class 3A baseball semifinal showdown

Houston seemed to get stronger as the game went along.

"I was just building up the entire time," he said. "First inning, I needed to get loose still. Second inning, I felt like I was at my full strength and I never got slower. I think it was the nice weather today for once that kept my arm warm, and it never cooled down."

The Tigers' ace finished with eight strikeouts and one walk.

"Sean has been the anchor of our rotation for the past two years," Bolla said. "He's absolutely lights out when it counts."

More D-10 baseball:Cathedral Prep's Engel shows why he's an ace

Fairview will take on Franklin in the D-10 Class 3A championship game at Slippery Rock University on Monday at 4 p.m. The Knights defeated Hickory 6-5 on Thursday.

"Alumni were here," Fairview coach Joe Spinelli said. "Kids that played last year. Kids that played four or five years ago. I'm glad they were here to see us get this semifinal win and move on to the finals."

Franklin 6, Hickory 5

At Slippery Rock, Aidan McCracken ripped a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Knights a thrilling win in the District 10 Class 3A semifinals on Thursday at Slippery Rock University.

Franklin (14-6) moves on to the D-10 championship against Fairview on Monday at 4 p.m. at Slippery Rock University. Hickory closed the season at 15-3.

Franklin ace pitcher Luke Guth, a Vanderbilt recruit, and Hickory standout pitcher Tyson Djakovich battled through six innings as each allowed five runs. Guth struck out 15 and despite going over 100 pitches is eligible for Monday because of three off days between games, while Djakovich struck out seven and also went over 100 pitches.

GAME STATS:Franklin vs. Hickory

With both starters out of the game, Franklin turned to Zach Boland on the mound. He walked three batters, but with the bases loaded and one out, he struck out two Hornets to keep the game tied at five.

Hickory turned to DJ Donatelli on the mound and he almost got out of a jam to force extra innings. Caleb Doyle and Carson Wible drew one-out walks before Noah Kockler lined out to center. McCracken worked a 2-2 count before singling to left, allowing Doyle to score to end the game.

Wible and McCracken each drove in three runs on two hits for Franklin, while Johnathan Leedhman drove in three runs on two hits for Hickory, which entered the game as the defending D-10 champions.

Sharpsville 5, Lakeview 1

At Slippery Rock, the Blue Devils will get a chance to win three straight District 10 baseball championships after rolling in the D-10 Class 2A semifinals on Thursday at Slippery Rock University.

GAME STATS: Sharpsville vs. Lakeview

Sharpsville (17-4) will take on West Middlesex for the D-10 championship on Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Slippery Rock University

Lakeview ended the season at 10-10.

Sharpsville scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Luke Distler, Brock Lenzi, James Thomas, Jack Leipheimer and Josh Divens had two hits apiece for the Blue Devils, while Lenzi struck out 11 in a three-hitter.

West Middlesex 5, Wilmington 1

At New Wilmington, the Big Reds scored four runs in the seventh inning to break a tie and win a D-10 Class 2A baseball semifinal at Slippery Rock University.

GAME STATS: West Middlesex vs. Wilmington

West Middlesex (15-6) heads to the D-10 championship game against Sharpsville on Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Slippery Rock University. Wilmington ended the season at 16-6.

The Big Reds and the Greyhounds were tied at one through six innings before Bowen Briggs singled in a run, Hunter Hoffman drove in two runs with a single and West Middlesex added a run on an error.

Richie Preston was solid for the Big Reds as he struck out eight in six innings to earn the win.

Contact Josh Reilly at jreilly@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNreilly.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Sean Houston's 4-hitter sends Fairview into D-10 Class 3A title game