Or better yet, when their teammates hit them home.

It was just not that Montoursville hit so well Monday in its home opener at Giles Field, but when it generated those hits. The Warriors went 9 for 14 with runners in scoring position and even multiple outs were good at-bats which drove in runs.

Combine that with brilliant pitching from Brody Aldenderfer and Gabe Moser and Montoursville routed Danville, 15-0 in four innings. Aldenderfer, Kane Moore and Cy Heddings all went 3 for 3, Aldenderfer tripled twice and earned the win, and Montoursville (5-1) won its fourth straight game.

“It’s nice to know everyone is coming together,” Moore said after driving in a run and scoring twice. Everyone is doing their job and putting the ball in play and turning the lineup over.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Zack Neill (28) connects on a sacrifice fly for an RBI in the first inning.

Logan Kirby and Jonah Heddings both belted two hits, every starter reached base and 10 players collected RBIs. It was another step forward for a team which was unable to practice at Giles Field until most teams already had played multiple games.

It also was an encouraging sign because, hitting with runners in scoring position, may have been the lone thing Montoursville did not master during its remarkable run to last year’s 4A state championship. That amazing season ended when Indiana edged the Warriors, 5-4, after escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam.

From frustration, grew determination. Montoursville worked throughout the offseason and is keeping things simple early this year. Whatever it takes, is what this team wants to do, and it brilliantly did so against Danville.

“After last season and the way we went out, we kind of focused on that and just doing our job and getting them in anyway possible,” Aldenderfer said. “I think our lineup is put together well.”

“We’ve been talking about our approach all season long and letting the ball travel, shoot the ball to right field and don’t try to do too much and guys are buying in,” Montoursville coach Jeremy Eck said. “We can bunt, we can do all kinds of different things which is nice.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Zack Neill (28) is safe at third base as Danville third baseman Grab Fry (0) leaps for the throw on a Logan Kirby double with an RBI in the third inning.

Aldenderfer epitomizes that versatility, showcasing pop and speed from the lead-off position. The senior pitcher/center fielder hit clean-up last year, but is embracing his new role. He has flashed his big swing the last two games, hitting for the cycle during that span, and coming a few feet from homering for a second straight contest.

Aldenderfer opened the game with a single, smashed an RBI triple an inning later and capped his day with another triple, this one bouncing off the right field fence. He also drew a walk and scored four times.

“Being in the leadoff spot is a different role. You’re trying to get on anyway possible,” Aldenderfer said. “I’m just trying to do my job and get on base anyway possible to get the team going.”

Aldenderfer drawing a two-out walk did not seem like that big a deal in the third inning. But he turned it into something giant, stealing second and third before scoring on a wild pitch. Moore then started a run of six hits in eight at-bats as everyone reached base and Montoursville scored six times, breaking open the game and going up, 11-0.

Following Aldenderfer impersonating cinematic legend Willie Mayes Hayes, Moore, Noah Kirby, Logan Kirby, Cy Heddings and Carson Menne all ripped hits. Logan Kirby and Cy Heddings roped consecutive two-run singles as well. Aldenderfer fanned the flames and his teammates turned them into an inferno.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Brody Aldenderfer (1) is safe at third base on a triple in the second inning.

“The thing is, all our guys have green lights in the sense that if we read something, we can take bases. I don’t have to give you a sign. If you can take it, take it,” Eck said. “Being able to that at that level and being able to take advantage of what the other team gives us, like Brody did in that situation, is big. We need more guys to do that.”

Moore came on strong and played a vital role in Montoursville making its state final run a year ago. The senior left fielder has picked up where he left off and is hitting .500 in the No. 2 hole. Moore also has reached base in all six games and delivered his third multiple-hit performance Monday.

A good table setter, Moore singled in all three at-bats and gave an experienced group of batters behind him the opportunity to bring him home. Seemingly everyone embraced that role.

“I’m just doing my best to put the ball in play,” Moore said. “I’m trying to get on and let the guys behind me do what they’re supposed to do and we’ll be successful and I love it.”

Danville did not love facing Aldenderfer in key moments. The left-hander struck out five in his three scoreless innings but encountered trouble in both the second and third. Each time, Danville put runners on second and third, doing so with one out in a 2-0 game in the second.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Brody Aldenderfer (1) safely scores in front of Danville pitcher Greydon Fausey on a passed pitch in the third inning.

Each time, Aldenderfer slammed the door. He did so with strikeouts all three times. That built momentum and pitching success transitioned to potent offensive success.

“I just have to battle. I just have to dig deep and find a way,” Aldenderfer said. “Make them beat you. Don’t give them anything free.”

Moser gave Danville nothing in one dominant inning of relief. The senior right-hander struck out the side on 13 pitches, inducing five swings and misses. Montoursville then ended the game early, scoring four times in the bottom of the fourth.

The Warriors started strong as well with Aldenderfer walking, Moore hitting a single, Noah Kirby walking and Zack Neill hitting a sacrifice fly. An inning later, Jonah Heddings hit a lead-off single, Elijah Eck went the opposite way and delivered an RBI double, Aldenderfer an RBI triple and Moore an RBI single.

Liam Lucas and Cole Weaver exemplified Montoursville’s score the runners anyway possible as well when Montoursville ended things early in the fourth inning. Both pinch-hitters drilled hard RBI grounders which scored runs. When Weaver’s grounder was overthrown at first base, Logan Kirby came home and scored the game-clinching run.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville short stop Carson Menne (23) fields a ground ball for a put-out at first base in the first inning.

Eck was not happy with some base running mistakes Montoursville made and knows the Warriors must improve there. Still, after a slow start this season, Montoursville is gaining speed as it goes.

“We’re all a close-knit group of guys. We’ve been playing together forever,” Moore said. “Just being able to play our senior year together is something we cherish.”

Danville 000 0–0 2 3

Montoursville 235 3–15 17 0

Greyden Fausey, Luke Fidler (3) and Jackson Vegh. Brody Aldenderfer, Gabe Moser (4) and Noah Kirby. W–Aldenderer. L–Fausey.

Top Montoursville hitters: Aldenderfer 3-3, 2 3B, RBI, 2 SB, 4R; Kane Moore 3-3, RBI, 2R; Cy Heddings 3-3, 2 RBIs, R; Logan Kirby 2-4, 2 RBIs, R; Jonah Heddings 2-3, RBI; RBI, R; N. Kirby 1-1, 2 BB;Austin Davidson 1-1, RBI; Elijah Eck 1-3, 2B, RBI; Carson Menne 1-3; Liam Lucas 2R, RBI.

Records: Montoursville 5-1, 4-1 HAC-II.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Brody Aldenderfer (1) safely steals third base as Danville Gabe Fry (0) fields the throw in the third inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Brody Aldenderfer (1) safely steals second base as Danville second baseman Ben Schrader (17) fields the throw in the third inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Jonah Heddings (17) heads to third base then scores on a Elijah Eck double in the second inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Kane Moore (7) avoids Danville third baseman Gabe Fry (0) as he heads to third base then scores on a Zack Neill double in the first inning.