(Zachary Allen Photo)
Michael Rickert, Trevor Balcerzak and Jason Janesko each drove in two runs for the Vikings, who recovered quickly after District 4 champion Sayre took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
Rickert was 2-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and two runs scored. Balcerzak also had two hits. Janesko doubled.
Riverside, the Lackawanna League Division 3 and District 2 Class 2A champions, scored twice each in the third and fifth innings then three runs in the sixth to complete the scoring.
R.J. Santarsiero and Zach Day combined on a four-hitter.
Santarsiero, who also contributed a double offensively, allowed a run on four hits while walking four and striking out six. Day struck out one in a hitless seventh inning.
Riverside improved to 23-0 going into Thursday’s state quarterfinal against District 5 champion McConnellsburg, a 9-3 winner over Newport Monday. McConnellsburg has won eight straight to improve to 17-4.
Hazleton Area had also been unbeaten going into the state baseball tournament, but lost in the first round in Class 6A.
