The Nativity Hilltoppers baseball team poses with the District 11 Class A trophy (submitted photo).

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — The Nativity baseball team left no doubt in its pursuit of back-to-back District 11 Class A titles.

The Hilltoppers exploded for eight runs over the first two innings and rolled to a 15-0, four-inning victory over Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg on Saturday at Robert Wetzel Field.

“They’re confident,” Nativity coach Ben Kreiger said about his team. “One through nine, they’re confident and the other 10 are on the bench 100% confident all the time. They go get it, and that’s what we ask, it doesn’t matter their role. They support each other no matter where they are and give 100% effort.”

Ryan Grabowski sparked the Hilltoppers’ 12-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, and a run scored. Andrew Verchick and Zeno Rugh each chipped in two hits and two RBIs, while Ryan Examitis and Nick Wagner drove in three runs apiece.

Nativity (10-11) struck early with five runs in the first inning, highlighted by Verchick’s two-run single and Rugh’s RBI double. The Hilltoppers added three more in the second and tacked on five in the third, with Wagner and Examitis delivering key hits.

Stephen Karinch scored three runs and added a hit for Nativity. Nate Cooper added two runs and a base knock.

Wagner, a senior, was dominant on the mound, tossing a four-inning two-hitter. The right-hander struck out five and didn’t allow a walk to earn the win.

Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg (3-13) mustered just two hits, singles by R.J. Andino and Jacob Gillon.

Nativity was relentless on the base paths and finished with eight stolen bases and played error-free defense in the field.

The game marked Nativity’s second straight district crown under second-year head coach Kreiger, who understands the total package of what kind of a grind the spring season can be at a smaller school.

“We focused last year on rebuilding, and rebuilding from scratch,” Kreiger said. “It was a little difficult, but I had a good group of seniors then and I have a good group of seniors this year. The underclassmen are stepping up and doing what we need them to do and we started a legacy, I guess you could call it. Two district title in a row — it feels good and hopefully we can repeat it next year and keep working really hard.”

With the win, Nativity advances to the PIAA Class A Tournament, where it will face the winner of the District 1 (Dock Mennonite and Plumstead Christian play on 5/27 at 1 p.m.) on Monday, June 2. That game will be held at a site and time to be determined.

“We have to get back to basics and focus on the things we need to focus on,” Kreiger said. “Staying confident is a big thing and the hardest part is graduation and everything else coming up. We have to mind our business around that, but we’ll get back to business and back to work this week. Right now we’ll focus on this and move on next week.”

District 11
Class A Championship

Nativity 15
Notre Dame East Stroudsburg 0