Baseball: Northern Lebanon Edges Cocalico 4-3 Behind Long’s Strong Start

Written by Braydin Adams 

Adams is a senior at Northern Lebanon High School.

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Northern Lebanon Edges Cocalico 4-3 Behind Long’s Strong Start

Northern Lebanon improved to 2-0 on Monday, edging Cocalico 4-3 in a game where the Vikings did just enough offensively and then held off a late push from the Eagles.

After having to wait four days to play following Saturday’s postponement at Middletown, Northern Lebanon was able to get back on the field and make the most of it.

The Vikings got a strong start from senior Aidan Long, who earned the win after allowing three hits and one run over five innings, while striking out three and walking three.

Northern Lebanon’s biggest inning came in the bottom of the third.

Senior Adrian Gonzalez started the scoring with an RBI double to right field. From there, junior Owen Fahringer added a run-producing groundout, and the Vikings also benefited from a Cocalico error that helped bring home another run.

Just like that, Northern Lebanon had a 3-0 lead and some breathing room.

That was enough support for Long, who worked around a few threats early and helped keep Cocalico off the board until the Eagles finally broke through in the fifth.

Cocalico cut into the deficit with a run in the inning, but Northern Lebanon was able to limit the damage and keep control.

The Vikings added what turned out to be an important insurance run in the sixth.

Fahringer helped get things started, and Northern Lebanon was able to cash in to push the lead to 4-1 heading into the final frame.

Cocalico did not go away quietly.

The Eagles made things interesting late, trimming the deficit in the seventh before Northern Lebanon turned to relief help from Blake Burdick and Andrew Via to close things out.

Via recorded the final out to save the game as the Vikings held on for the one-run victory.

At the plate, senior Connor Stoltz helped set the tone from the top of the order, going 2-for-2.

Fahringer, Christian Anspach, and Gonzalez each drove in a run for Northern Lebanon, while Burdick scored a run and drew a walk. The Vikings also turned a double play in the field.

For Cocalico, Aiden Davis and Ian Showalter each had an RBI, while Noah Zimmerman drew two walks.

Jaxon Keffer struck out six over four innings for the Eagles, and Logan Horning added two innings of relief. Cocalico showed patience throughout, finishing with six walks as a team, and also turned a double play defensively.

After the game, coach Gingrich offered a simple early-season message: “Try not to press early in the season. Just do the little things right and everything else will fall into place.”

Connor Stoltz also shared his perspective after the win, saying, “God has a plan for everyone. Take his hand and let him guide you down the right path.”

Northern Lebanon (2-0) will travel to ELCO on Wednesday.

Northern Lebanon 4, Cocalico 3

Full Box Score

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Connor Stoltz: 2-2, 2B, 1 R, BB
Adrian Gonzalez: 1-2, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R, BB
Owen Fahringer: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 R
Christian Anspach: 1-3, 1 RBI
Blake Burdick: 1 R, BB

Pitching
Aidan Long: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Blake Burdick: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Andrew Via: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Cocalico Leaders

Aiden Davis: 2-4, 1 RBI
Ian Showalter: 1-2, 2B, 1 RBI, BB
Connor Horning: 1-4, 1 R
Logan Horning: 1 R, BB
Jaxon Keffer: 1 R, BB
Noah Zimmerman: 2 BB

Pitching
Jaxon Keffer: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Logan Horning: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K