ATHOL — The Lions scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and then fought off a late surge by the Orange Legion to win, 18-15, in Chuck Stone Little League action, Thursday at James H. Salevan Field.
The Orange Legion scored two runs in the sixth inning, but their comeback was cut short on a strikeout with runners on second and third.
Jayden Delgado began the inning with an infield single for the Orange Legion. He came home on a single by Sayyid Roberts to make it 18-14. Roberts stole second and third base. Lions pitcher Robert LaFosse struck out the next two batters, but then walked two to load the bases. An error by LaFosse allowed Roberts to score, setting up runners in scoring position. LaFosse then got Kyle Rogers looking to end the game.
The Lions went up 18-13 in the fifth inning. David Johnson led off with a walk. With one out, Matthew Vitello singled in Johnson, who had stolen second and third base, for a 14-13 lead. With two outs, David Vitello singled in Matthew Vitello to make it 15-13. LaFosse walked, followed by a single from Julien Smith and a double from Oliver Johnson to put the Lions up 18-13. Delgado, who came in relief in the fourth inning, got Mason Young looking to end the inning.
The Orange Legion tied the game at 12 in the fourth. Four consecutive walks followed by singles from Dylan Young and Delgado scored six runs and a tied game. The Lions went on top, 13-12, in the bottom of the inning on a fielding error at first base that allowed Young to score.
The Orange Legion trailed by nine in the third inning. Roberts walked, stole second and third, and took home on a wild pitch to pull within, 11-3. Legion then strung together six consecutive walks to pull within 11-5. A ball hit to third base by Young scored Elias Roberts to bring Orange within 11-6. Morgan Softic then forced Delgado to pop out to first base to end the inning.
The Lions scored 10 runs in the first inning. Down 1-0, the Lions strung together two singles, one double and one walk to go up 4-1 before the first out was recorded. After an infield fly rule, Young and Kam Ward both scored on an error at third base to put the Lions up 6-1. Three consecutive singles followed by one walk and one double from Johnson put the Lions up 10-1.
Gavin Young had five walks and two runs for Orange. Elijah North went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs, and pitched 2⅔ innings. Smith (two runs) went 3-for-3 with one walk and one hit by pitch for the Lions. David Vitello went 4-for-5 with three singles and one double along with three RBIs and four runs.