The Zephyrs baseball team withstood a seventh-inning rally to record another victory this season, keeping them well positioned for a shot at a league title.

With runners on first and second, Allentown Central Catholic's Zach Tobash strolled to the plate. He had all ready launched two balls over the fence, and was looking to make it one more which would have tied the game.

That didn't faze reliever Elliot Mortimer who got the last out with a whiff, preserving the win for the Zephs. The win elevated their record to 14-1, and keeps them atop the North Division of the Lehigh Valley Conference.

However, it was a teachable moment for the team, said head coach Shaun O'Boyle who saw them go through peaks and valleys the whole game.

"You learn a lesson that you can't let teams hang around," said O'Boyle. "And if you can put them away, you need to put them away."

They surrendered five runs in the final two innings, and the Vikings were poised to tie the game in the top of the seventh, and that was a bit too close for comfort, according to O'Boyle.

"We can't let that happen," said O'Boyle. "That was too close."

He also said that they while they came out fast, then hit a drought in the middle innings which enabled the Vikings to close the gap. It served as another lesson.

"We can't bank on one big inning all the time," said O'Boyle. "It seems like we came out on fire, then all of a sudden we lost it."

The Zephs were able to bunch some runs in the fifth, aided by three hits that each produced two runs, the first of which was from Zach Delp who delivered a deep shot to center for a double, giving the Zephs a three-run lead. That was followed by a two-run single by Tyler Sweeney, and ended with an Elliot Mortimer bloop hit that finished the seven-run frame.

Delp finished the game 2-3 with four runs batted in, while Mortimer was 1-2 with three RBIs, and Sweeney was 1-2 with two RBIs as well.

Jacob Meyers started the game, followed by Sweeney who came in the sixth, with Mortimer closing it out in the seventh.

Their arrival at this point in the season rests on their ability to pitch, relying on four strong pillars who make up their starting rotation.

They each have made significant contributions, and starter Tyler Sweeney said that it's essentially everyone pitching in together.

"We've been just playing as a team," said Sweeney. "We got some hitting streaks going and everyone's been hot."

Senior Elliot Mortimer may have the most electric stuff on that staff, said his approach is to get the ball over the plate and let his fielders make the plays.

"I've been throwing strikes, and I'm letting the defense behind me help me," said Mortimer.

Mortimer also relies on the ability to change speeds, using his full arsenal to keep hitters from getting comfortable.

"That's important, keeping the hitters off balance and making them guess," he said. "That's working so far."

They agreed that the team's ability to wield the leather has been another vital component to their success.

"The defense has been spectacular," said Mortimer.

Senior Jake Wloczewski is another talented pitcher who gives the Zephs a formidable arm at the top of their rotation.

"My main focus is to get ahead, let them put the ball in play," said Wloczewski. "I like to work backwards and keep them off balance with off-speed [pitches], then come at them with fastballs when they're not expecting it."

He said he's also been the beneficiary of solid defense that gives them confidence every time they take the mound.

Meyers agreed that having a good defense behind him while pitching has been the key to his success.

"It's been definitely having confidence in our defense," he said. "And our offense has been pretty good so far, too."

They said right now it's important to stay focused on the present. They can't look too far ahead and lose sight of what they need to do.

"We want to win each game, one at a time," said Sweeney.