By BUBBA KAPRAL

For The Intelligencer

SHADYSIDE — It is well-documented that Shadyside features a highly-regarded pitching staff. The question with the veteran Tigers is how well they will swing their bats.

If the first inning of Monday afternoon’s game against River is any indication, Coach Shawn Selmon’s charges are poised for a banner campaign.

The Orange & Black erupted for 17 first-inning runs en route to a 21-4 blasting of the Pilots in an OHSAA mercy-rule shortened contest. The win improved Shadyside to 6-1, the lone blemish coming in extra innings against D-I Central Crossing.

“We swung the bats really well tonight. It was the best we have hit all year,” Selmon offered. “It was a great way to start the game. We were able to get a lot of kids into the game.”

Shadyside sent 21 batters to the plate in its monstrous first frame. The 17 Tiger runs came about via nine hits, six bases-on-balls and three Pilot errors.

A trio of Shadyside senior standouts each batted three times in the first inning, all delivering in major fashion.

Catcher Ryan Florence contributed three hits – two singles and a triple, driving in four runs. Mason VanNest, who also sparkled on the hill, crushed a triple and single, knocking in four teammates.

Standout shortstop Korey Beckett drove in two Tigers as he coaxed two walks and lined a single.

Also producing in the first inning were Oakland University recruit Rhys Francis with an RBI double while classmate Bryce Amos, a Tulane signee, singled in another run.

Cole Micker and Alex Baker gained RBIs by drawing bases-loaded walks.

Vannest was the beneficiary of the scoring explosion. The four-sport star hurled the first three innings to pocket the win. He allowed just three hits while fanning three while walking none.

Freshman Cadden Nippert worked the final two innings for the hosts. He acquitted himself nicely, striking out one and walking a like amount.

The loss dropped Tim Blue’s young and rebuilding Pilots to 3-2 on the campaign.

“You can’t make as many errors and mental mistakes like we did against a team of Shadyside’s caliber,” Blue said. “They are very good and have a chance to be state-bound.

“They are fundamental, hit the ball well and are well-coached,” he added. “We just need to learn from this and get better. We got beat by a very good team today.”

Beckett and Florence topped the Shadyside attack with three hits each. Francis unloaded a pair of doubles while rising freshman Anthony Forgacs also slammed a two-base hit.

River utilized four pitchers on the day.

Hunter Nething started but was unable to get out of the first. He gave way to Brady Harlan. Brenden Hanlin also entered in the first frame before Austin Creamer finished up after taking over in the third.

Brody Lollathin and Max Castro enjoyed sparkling efforts at the plate in a losing cause. Lollathin cracked a double and two singles while Castro donated three singles and an RBI.

Weather permitting, both teams are scheduled to be in action today. Shadyside takes on Wheeling Central at the J.B. Chambers I-470 complex while River visits Shenandoah.