By JOHN CASTIGLIONE
STATE COLLEGE — The Lemont Ducks entered a home matchup on June 11 against Baseball U looking to snap a three-game losing streak. However, before they even stepped into the batter’s box, it appeared they were headed straight for a fourth consecutive loss.
The top of the first inning for the visitors was highlighted by a two-run error, two batters hit by pitches, two walks and two timely singles as Baseball U built what seemed to be a commanding 6-0 lead. That lead would remain until the bottom of the third inning when Lemont’s bats woke up en route to a 10-7 victory at Community Park in State College.
After a Baseball U error in the third, a sacrifice fly from Lemont’s Cooper Salvato and an RBI single from second baseman Jack Bierly, left fielder Alex Lose tied the game with a bases-loaded, two-run double. Baseball U regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning on a bunt single by Braylon Plummer but that was the last time it would lead. Lemont answered with three runs in the fourth and added another in the fifth before the game was called due to darkness.
Lemont manager Cameron Aungst spoke about the Ducks’ mindset after falling behind big early in the game and then trailing again by a run in the fourth inning after fighting back so hard to tie the game the inning before.
“We just keep grinding. That’s all we do,” Aungst said of the comeback.
After Baseball U retook the lead in the fourth, Aungst said the mindset did not really change.
“Just keep going. We don’t really like to put too much pressure on ourselves. We’ve been really good at just getting back into the game, getting a couple of hits and getting the next guy going. That’s what we’ve been really good at so far this year.”
Salvato also drove in two runs for Lemont, while Baseball U was led by center fielder Braylon Plummer, who had one hit, drove in a run and scored once during the team’s big six-run first inning.
On the mound, Brandon Lingenfelter went 2.2 innings, striking out 3 without giving up a run for Lemont. The win got the Ducks’ record back to .500 at 5-5, while Baseball U fell to 1-4 on the season.
This week, Lemont hosts the Happy Valley Hellbenders before traveling to Blanchard to take on the first-place Blanchard Bees. Baseball U will look to bounce back as they host the Spring Hill Braves at Governor’s Park.
