Serra passes first-round test with victory over Fort Cherry

By ADAM BREWER
MVI Sports

Fourth-seeded Serra Catholic battled off rust and a lack of execution early on, and rode some timely defense, a pair of four-run innings and a stout performance on the mound by their top three pitchers in an 8-2 triumph over No. 13 Fort Cherry in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs Tuesday at Peterswood Park.

“It wasn’t our best effort tonight,” Serra coach Brian Dzurenda said. “At times, we didn’t execute on offense and we looked sluggish to start the game. We just need to bring a better focus and pay more attention to those little details. It’s one-and-done in the playoffs. We have to be better.”

Serra, which has advanced to the quarterfinal round the last five seasons, will now play Laurel, an 8-0 winner over Beth-Center, in the round of eight on Friday with a time and site to be determined.

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