Baseball: Gonzalez, Vikings Pass Huge Test Against Blue Mountain to Stay Unbeaten

Written by Braydin Adams 

Adams is a senior at Northern Lebanon High School.

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Northern Lebanon faced one of its biggest tests of the season on Saturday, hosting a Blue Mountain team that entered the matchup with a 12-2 record. With Adrian Gonzalez on the mound, the Vikings did just enough early and then held on late, defeating the Eagles 3-2 to extend their unbeaten start to 15-0.

Both teams were strong on the bump, with Gonzalez and Russo each going the distance. Gonzalez recorded all 21 outs for Northern Lebanon, allowing five hits and 2 runs, both unearned, while walking two and striking out 10. Russo kept Blue Mountain in the game, surrendering five hits and 3 runs, two earned, over six innings while striking out five and walking three.

Gonzalez set the tone right away, striking out two batters in the 1st before the Vikings pushed across the game’s first run in the bottom half. Andrew Via drew a walk, moved to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt by Landon Copenhaver, stole 3rd, and came home to give Northern Lebanon a 1-0 lead.

The Vikings added to that advantage in the 2nd when Conner Stoltz reached on a bunt single and later scored on a single to left field by Christian Anspach, making it 2-0. Gonzalez continued to roll on the mound, adding two more strikeouts in the 2nd and then striking out the side in the 3rd.

Northern Lebanon stretched the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the 3rd. Via started the inning with a single before Copenhaver followed with an RBI double to left field, giving the Vikings what would prove to be a valuable insurance run.

Blue Mountain finally broke through in the 4th, using a single, an RBI double, and another base hit to cut the Vikings’ lead to 3-2. The Eagles continued to threaten, but Gonzalez settled back in and came up with a key strikeout to keep Northern Lebanon in front.

The Eagles put more pressure on in the 5th with a triple and a walk, but Gonzalez again worked out of trouble. Northern Lebanon also turned a double play in the game, helping the Vikings protect their narrow lead as Blue Mountain continued to push.

Gonzalez added another strikeout in the 6th, then came back out for the 7th and slammed the door to complete the win. The senior is now 6-0 this season with a 0.44 ERA, 62 strikeouts, and only nine walks across 47.1 innings. He also now has four complete games to his credit.

Northern Lebanon finished with five hits, as Stoltz, Copenhaver, Anspach, Via, and Gonzalez each collected one. Copenhaver and Anspach drove in the Vikings’ runs, while Blue Mountain was led by Finn, who had two hits, and Russo, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Northern Lebanon (15-0) will host Lancaster Catholic on Monday.

Northern Lebanon 3, Blue Mountain 2

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Andrew Via: 1-2, 2 R, BB, SB
Landon Copenhaver: 1-2, 2B, RBI, SAC
Adrian Gonzalez: 1-1, 2 BB
Conner Stoltz: 1-3, R
Christian Anspach: 1-2, RBI
Kaden Beamesderfer: SAC

Pitching
Adrian Gonzalez (W): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K

Blue Mountain Leaders

Aiden Finn: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Sonny Amato: 1-3, R
Russo: 1-2, RBI
Evan Setlock: 1-3
Brady Strause: R

Pitching
Russo (L): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Full Box Score

Last Game: Burdick, Vikings Blank Columbia to Stay Unbeaten