Baseball: Vikings Stay Unbeaten with Late Surge at Conestoga Valley, Now 9-0

Written by Braydin Adams 

Adams is a senior at Northern Lebanon High School.

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Vikings Stay Unbeaten with Late Surge at Conestoga Valley, Now 9-0

Northern Lebanon had to wait a while for its offense to come alive on Friday, but once it did, the Vikings had more than enough to keep their unbeaten run going. After being held quiet through the first four innings, Northern Lebanon broke through late and pulled away for an 8-3 win at Conestoga Valley, stretching its winning streak to nine games.

Senior Aidan Long got the start on the mound for the Vikings and helped keep the game within reach while the offense searched for its rhythm. Conestoga Valley scratched across the game’s first run in the bottom of the 3rd after putting pressure on with a single, a walk, and a wild pitch, but Long limited the damage and kept it a one-run game. He followed that with a clean 1-2-3 4th, which proved to be a big settling moment. Long is now 3-0 in three starts.

Northern Lebanon finally broke through in the 5th, and it started with patience. Christian Anspach drew a four-pitch walk, Tyler Hornberger followed with another free pass, and Andrew Via worked a walk as well to load the bases. Anspach then stole home on a wild pitch to tie the game, and that was when, as the Vikings might say, the fireworks started. Owen Fahringer ripped a two-run double to put Northern Lebanon in front 3-1. Fahringer came into the day leading Northern Lebanon in hits with 10, RBI with 9, and slugging percentage at .778, while also ranking among the team leaders in doubles and home runs.

The Vikings added another run in the 6th when Kaden Beamesderfer singled to lead off the inning and Anspach’s sacrifice bunt turned into trouble for the Buckskins on a bad throw, allowing Northern Lebanon to stretch its lead to 4-1. Beamesderfer entered the game hitting a team-best .455 with a .478 on-base percentage and 10 hits, underscoring the kind of steady production he has given Northern Lebanon during its unbeaten start.

Conestoga Valley made things interesting in the bottom half of the 6th. After Long allowed a pair of singles, Northern Lebanon turned to Blake Burdick out of the bullpen. The Buckskins took advantage of a walk and an error to score twice and cut the deficit to 4-3, putting real pressure on the Vikings heading to the 7th. Burdick finished the day with a 0.38 ERA and seven RBI on the season, giving Northern Lebanon a reliable option both on the mound and at the plate.

Northern Lebanon answered with its biggest offensive inning of the day. Mason Adams opened the frame with a single, Via reached to put two on, and Fahringer drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Connor Stoltz, Burdick, and Beamesderfer all worked bases-loaded walks, and Anspach followed with an RBI single as the Vikings pushed four more runs across to take control at 8-3.

Blake Burdick had to work through some traffic in the bottom of the 7th, but he finished it off to seal the win. Long threw 5.0 innings and allowed three runs on four hits, while Burdick closed out the final 2.0 innings. Long is now 3-0 in three starts this season.

After the game, Northern Lebanon Coach Travis Thome praised both pitchers, saying, “It’s nice to come from behind late in the game and get a win,” before adding that Long “threw a great game through 5” and Burdick “came in and did what he’s supposed to do and get guys out.”

Owen Fahringer, who delivered the go-ahead double, also made sure the praise went right back to his starter afterward, calling Long “a dawg.” Aidan Long kept his own review simple, saying, “I did well, I came in today did what I needed to do and supported the team.”

Northern Lebanon is now 9-0 and will host Pequea Valley on Monday.

Northern Lebanon 8, Conestoga Valley 3

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Owen Fahringer: 2-3, 2 RBI, 2B
Kaden Beamesderfer: 2-3, R, RBI
Andrew Via: 1-3, 2 R, RBI
Christian Anspach: 1-2, R, 1 RBI
Adrian Gonzalez: 1-4
Mason Adams: 1-1
Connor Stoltz: RBI
Blake Burdick: RBI

Pitching
Aidan Long (W): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Blake Burdick: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 1 K

Conestoga Valley Leaders

Sawyer Esbenshade: 2-3, 2 RBI, 2B
Adam McDowell: 1-2, R, RBI
Aiden Styer: 1-2, R
Tommy Figart: 1-1

Pitching
Tommy Figart (L): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Jackson Buckwalter: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Ian Long: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K

Full Box Score

Last Game: Cousins Gonzalez & Via Lead Northern Lebanon Past Lancaster Catholic in Section Pitchers’ Duel