JACKSON TWP — Nate Malak exhibited undeniable prowess on the mound Tuesday afternoon — and Seneca Valley needed every bit of it.

The senior set down 19 of the first 20 batters he faced and had a no-hitter going through one out of the seventh inning. After breezing through the first six frames on just 69 pitches, Malak battled during an 18-pitch seventh and emerged as the winning pitcher in a 1-0 victory over North Allegheny at Raider Field.

The Tigers (2-1, 1-1) managed just three baserunners in the game on a walk and two singles.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” said SV coach Eric Semega of Malak. “Obviously, to hold a team like that down, it was a great effort.

“He’s got good stuff and is really coming along.”

Raiders’ center fielder Brock White made a diving catch to retire NA’s Cole Young for the first out of the seventh. Spencer Barnett then broke up the no-hitter with an infield single.

“It was a little tough to focus after giving up the first hit, but I just had to realize that it’s not all about me out there. I still needed to help us get the win.”

Aaron Posey followed with a single to put runners at first and second with one out. Designated hitter Aaron Galaska ripped a hard grounder to third baseman Mike DelDuca, who blocked the ball with his chest before picking it up and forcing out Barnett, who was headed for third.

With runners at first and second and two outs, Malak faked a pickoff throw to second. Second baseman AJ Capizzi and shortstop Alex Mortier turned as if the ball had skipped into center field and pinch runner Brody Meyers took the bait, breaking for third.

Malak still had the ball and began a rundown that ended with Meyers being tagged out seconds later, ending the game.

Malak finished with six strikeouts and just one walk.

“Their pitcher was unbelievable,” said NA coach Andy Heck. “He kept the ball down and was throwing multiple pitches for strikes.”

His fastball, curveball and change-up were all working for Malak, who considered his curve to be his out-pitch. He worked five scoreless innings in a 10-2 win at Mt. Lebanon last Wednesday.

“It’s a better start to the season than I had last year,” he said. “I was dealing with some injuries and was behind for much of the year.”

The Raiders (4-1, 1-1) received base hits from Capizzi and Luke Anderton to open the bottom of the first, but NA starting pitcher Connor Smith escaped the frame unscathed.

Smith set down 11 straight and SV did not manage another baserunner until Evan Tomasic singled with one out in the fifth. Matt DelDuca later drew a walk with two outs, but Smith again kept the Raiders off the scoreboard.

But when the bottom of the sixth rolled around, Barnett was on the mound and the Raiders took advantage.

Anderton walked to lead off the inning and Malak helped his own cause with a double to right. Owen Yarussi was intentionally walked to load the bases before Creed Erdos delivered the only run SV would need with his base hit.

Smith fanned seven and walked one in his no-decision.

NA had defeated the Raiders, 4-0, in Wexford Monday night.

“This was huge. We could’ve been 0-2 in the section, but we battled,” said Semega. “Right now our offense is partial and we need to sure some spots up to make it whole, but we’ve gotten better since our first scrimmage.”

North Allegheny 000 000 0 — 0 2 1

Seneca Valley 000 001 x — 1 5 0

W: Nate Malak 7 IP (6K, 1BB). L: Spencer Barnett 1 IP (1K, 2BB).

North Allegheny (2-1, 1-1): Spencer Barnett 1B, Aaron Posey 1B

Seneca Valley (4-1, 1-1): AJ Capizzi 1B, Luke Anderton 1B R, Nate Malak 2B, Creed Erdos 1B RBI, Evan Tomasic 1B

Monday: Seneca Valley at Pine-Richland