Baseball: Fahringer’s Blast, Burdick’s Arm Push Vikings Past Hershey

Written by Braydin Adams 

Adams is a senior at Northern Lebanon High School.

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Fahringer’s Blast, Burdick’s Arm Push Vikings Past Hershey

Northern Lebanon was back at home early Saturday looking to keep its strong start rolling, and the Vikings did just that with another tight victory. In a non-league showdown with Hershey, Northern Lebanon leaned once again on solid pitching and a timely swing to edge the Trojans 2-1 for its fourth straight win and third consecutive one-run victory.

Both teams were sharp on the mound throughout the contest, and runs were hard to come by early. Blake Burdickworked a quick opening inning for the Vikings, and Northern Lebanon matched it by going down in order in the bottom half.

Hershey threatened in the 2nd after Burdick recorded his first strikeout of the day but then hit 2 batters to put runners on base. Burdick worked out of the jam to keep the game scoreless, and the Vikings were still looking for their first hit as the game moved into the middle innings.

The Trojans made another push in the 3rd, putting a runner in position to score after a double and a wild throw home, but Northern Lebanon was able to record the out at the plate and keep the game tied at 0-0. In the bottom half, Kadan Beamesderfer delivered a single to get the Vikings going, and Christian Anspach followed with a bunt to put 2 runners aboard, but Northern Lebanon could not cash in.

Hershey finally broke through in the top of the 4th. A double and a sacrifice bunt helped set the table before a wild pitch brought home the game’s first run, giving the Trojans a 1-0 lead.

Northern Lebanon answered right away in the bottom half of the inning. Andrew Via was hit by a pitch to start the rally, and Owen Fahringer came through with the game’s biggest swing, launching a 2-run homer to left field to put the Vikings in front 2-1.

After the game, Fahringer offered a simple reflection on the moment: “Jesus is my strength.”

That was all the support Burdick would need. The sophomore went the distance for Northern Lebanon, recording all 21 outs in a complete-game effort. Burdick allowed just 3 hits and 1 unearned run while striking out 3 and walking none.

Hershey had another chance in the 5th after a leadoff double, but Burdick worked around it. Later in the inning, the Vikings turned a double play behind him to erase another threat and preserve the lead. Burdick finished the job in the 7th, recording another strikeout before Northern Lebanon closed it out.

Northern Lebanon finished with just 2 hits, but made them count. Fahringer drove in both runs from the middle of the lineup, while Anspach added the Vikings’ other hit.

Head coach Travis Thome knows the Vikings have been living dangerously early in the season, but he also knows his group has responded well in big moments. “I’m tired of one-run games,” Thome said. “But at least we are on the top side of one-run games.”

Northern Lebanon is now 4-0 and will travel to Lancaster Mennonite on Wednesday.

Northern Lebanon 2, Hershey 1

Full Box Score

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Owen Fahringer: 1-2, 1 R, 1 H, 2 RBI, HR
Christian Anspach: 1-2, 1 H
Andrew Via: 1 R

Northern Lebanon Pitching
Blake Burdick: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Hershey Leaders

Chase Erwin: 1-3, 1 R, 1 H, 2B
Bennett Sheppard: 1-3, 1 H
Blake Umberger: 1-3, 1 H

Hershey Pitching
Hudson Smith: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Max Hartzfeld: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Last Game: Northern Lebanon Edges ELCO in 11-Inning Pitching Duel