Nativity's Andrew Verchick at bat for Hilltoppers (Photo by Kelly Wiley).

BOYERTOWN — Composure was the key for the Hilltoppers.

Nativity scored five runs in the fourth inning and held off a late Dock Mennonite surge to earn a 7-6 victory Monday in the PIAA Class A first round — the program’s first-ever win in the state baseball tournament.

Trailing 3-2 entering the fourth, the Hilltoppers (11-11) flipped the game by capitalizing on an error before Stephen Karinch delivered the biggest blow, a two-run single to center that gave Nativity a 6-3 lead. Karinch later scored on an error to push the lead to 7-3.

Barry Jenkins singled in the inning and Nick Wagner collected an RBI on a bases-loaded walk.

Dock Mennonite (15-5) responded with three runs in the bottom half of the frame, but Karinch quieted the Pioneers over the final two innings to secure the save. He allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out one over two shutout innings.

Wagner earned the win, tossing the first five innings and allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and three walks.

Ryan Examitas and Karinch each drove in two runs. Jenkins added an RBI and two runs scored, while Ryan Grabowski walked three times. The Hilltoppers drew eight walks in total and committed no errors defensively.

“We capitalized on their mistakes and won the game,” said Nativity coach Ben Kreiger. “They’re (Dock Mennonite) a very good baseball team with good, solid pitching and a very good catcher, who is hard to run on. We stay composed, played one inning at a time and made things happen when we needed them to.”

Drew Bradica went 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead Dock, and Ethan Kratz added two RBIs, including a go-ahead double in the third. Kratz took the loss, surrendering six earned runs over 3.2 innings. The Pioneers left eight runners on base.

Nativity will advance to Thursday’s PIAA quarterfinals to face MMI Prep (11-11) at a time and site to be announced.

PIAA First Round
Class A
At Bear Stadium

Nativity 7, Dock Mennonite 6