This time, the opponent was each other as the pitchers who combined on a three-hitter turned post-game running into a Carl Lewis-Usain Bolt like sprinting challenge. Neither gave ground either. And therein lies a key to both their and the team’s success.

Harrington and Tillson not only push themselves but the team as a whole. Wednesday they pushed Warrior Run to an impressive 12-1, five-inning win against Jersey Shore. Harrington struck out nine in 3 1/3 innings and walked four times, while Tillson threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, went 2 for 2 and scored four runs.

The Defenders (4-2) won their second straight mercy rule game and took advantage of every mistake Jersey Shore (4-3) made, scoring 12 runs despite generating three hits.

“We compete in everything. Even in our rehab sprints we compete. We compete hard against each other all the time,” Harrington said. “We want to be the best guy on the field, so a little competition is fun. You want to be next to the guy who’s bigger than you or stronger than you. That’s what builds you and pushes you.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run players react to a call at second during a high school baseball game against Jersey Shore at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

Having the production and defense Harrington and Tillson provide means a lot. But just as important is the leadership they display. That has been especially vital during a season in which Warrior Run has encountered some adversity. Through it all, the hyper-competitive duo keeps the Defenders moving forward.

Harrington and Tillson both were all-state selections a year ago and offered a reminder why against Jersey Shore. Neither was retired in eight plate appearances, Tillson stole three bases and Harrington looked untouchable at times on the mound. Going back to last year’s four-hit shutout at Jersey Shore, Harrington has not allowed an earned run in 10 1/3 innings against the Bulldogs, striking out 17.

“I know when he’s on, I know when’s he’s off. That’s not the case most of the time because he’s on the majority of the time,” Tillson said. “He was throwing really well. He wasn’t in his head. He had his best pitches when we needed them. He had his command, and was keeping them off-balance.”

Harrington and Tillson have built a strong chemistry since they were both 14. Harrington has pitched nearly every game at the scholastic, Senior League or travel ball level to Tillson since then. Tillson is as quick cutting down runners and/or blocking pitches in the dirt as he is on the bases.

That breeds added pitching confidence. That shined through at crucial times as Harrington held Jersey Shore hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Landon Tillson (11) takes over on the mound during a high school baseball game against Jersey Shore at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

“We’ve been all over the place together in every different situation. Through thick and thin he’s always been there for me,” Harrington said. “He’s always a great catcher back there. I know the pitchers appreciate him being back there because that’s a grind being back there.”

Opposing pitchers and catchers know it’s a grind going against Tillson when he is either in the batter’s box or on the bases. Six games into the season, he is hitting .625 with a .739 on-base percentage. A year after stealing 18 bases, Tillson has swiped six this season.

Warrior Run coach Derrick Zechman calls Tillson, ‘The Rabbit,’ and he plays the part, displaying speed and constantly nibbling away at pitchers. Tillson dropped a perfect bunt single in his second at-bat before smashing a double to deep left field two innings later after fouling off three straight two-strike pitches.

“Landon is a pest up there,” Zechman said. “He just has a way of making things happen.”

“Griff likes to hit the long ball and I like to run. I play to my strengths, he plays to his and that’s why we succeed a lot,” Tillson said. “I go up there and don’t play for myself. I look to get Griff up and get on any way possible. You have to play to everyone’s strengths and that’s what we try to do.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Colton Cimini (20) gets caught in a run-down between third and home during a high school baseball game against Warrior Run at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

Tillson has become a superb table setter at the No. 2 spot, hitting in front of Harrington who drove in 42 runs last year. This was his fourth multi-hit game this season and he has reached base in all but one of seven plate appearances this week, scoring six times.

Tillson does not care how he reaches base, just that he does so. He also made a seamless transition from catching for three innings to pitching the final 1 2/3. Above the stats, it is Tillson’s mentality which his teammates really appreciate.

“He is most selfless guy on the field at all times,” Harrington said. “He’s selfless and he does what’s best for the team all the time. That’s huge. That’s what we need.”

“I’m just trying to do my job no matter where I’m at. Whether I’m catching or pitching or in the outfield I try to play to my strengths,” Tillson said. “I try and do what I can do. I don’t try to be the best the guy out there, I just try and help my team out.”

Warrior Run helped itself out plenty against Jersey Shore. A team which likes chanting, ‘Free Stuff!’ may have been growing hoarse doing so as Wednesday’s game progressed. The Defenders drew 10 walks, took advantage of five errors, two balks, two wild pitches, two hit batters and scored runs in all four at-bats.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Landon Tillson (11) lays down a bunt during a high school baseball game against Jersey Shore at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

Jersey Shore’s gloves seemed cursed at times and Warrior Run did not have an RBI hit until James Keifer roped a two-run single in the third inning which put it up, 11-0. Warrior Run has shown a knack for scoring runs in different ways and it was a similar story Monday when it defeated Hughesville, 15-0.

“One of our coaches mentions all the time that we score runs in different ways almost every time,” Tillson said. “That’s how we play. We score any way possible.”

Jersey Shore scored its first run in the fourth inning when Carter Rhinehart belted a two-out RBI single, scoring Nate Moore. Warrior Run center fielder Collin Brandt, however, made a perfect throw home which put the next runner in a rundown and led to catcher Jackson Bowers tagging him for the third out.

Rhinehart and fellow sophomore Nolen Pauling continued their strong seasons. Pauling reached base all three times, hitting a single, drawing a walk, being hit by a pitch and stealing a base. Sophomore Conner Yingling also provided a highlight, lacing a fifth inning double.

“They’re young players still and it’s nice to have them for a few more years. There is a of talent there and those guys are gamers,” Jersey Shore coach Joe Dunn said. “We have some nice underclassmen that are working their way up. It’s good things to come, hopefully.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Jackson Bowers avoids an inside pitch during a high school baseball game against Jersey Shore at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

Jersey Shore knows there may be good things coming this season as well. It already has achieved some and its two previous losses were by three combined runs. The Bulldogs know they are a better team than what they showed against Warrior Run.

And the great thing about sports is that their often is a shot at redemption. Jersey Shore’s comes Friday when it plays Selinsgrove, so the focus now is moving forward and not looking back.

“We have to regroup quick. We have to come back Friday and be ready for Selinsgrove,” Dunn said. “You have to have a short memory with this one. We talked about it afterward that we tend to have at least one of these games every year, so hopefully this is out of our system.”

Jersey Shore 000 10–1 3 5

Warrior Run 344 1x–12 3 2

Bentley Nihart, Ben Gill (2), Mason Winter (3), Carson Watkins (4) and Hunter Enders. Griff Harrington, Landon Tillson (4) and Tillson, Jackson Bowers (4). W–Harrington. L–Nihart.

Top Jersey Shore hitters: Nolen Pauling 1-1, BB, SB; Carter Rhinehart 1-3, RBI; Conner Yingling 1-1, 2B. Top Warrior Run hitters: Tillson 2-2, 2B, 4R, 3 SB; James Keifer 1-2, 2 RBIs; Harrington 4 BB, 2R; Jackson Bowers 2 RBIs.

Records: Warrior Run 4-2. Jersey Shore 4-3.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Landon Tillson (11) crosses home as Jersey Shore's Hunter Enders attempts the tag during a high school baseball game at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Jersey Shore's Mason Winter reaches for a pop fly during a high school baseball game against Warrior Run at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Bentley Nihart starts out on the mound for Jersey Shore during a high school baseball game against Warrior Run at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Griffen Harrington (2) avoids the tag in a run-down between third and home during a high school baseball game against Jersey Shore at Warrior Run on Wednesday. Warrior Run won 12-1 in five innings.