The Lehigh Valley Legion Baseball League opened its postseason tournament last Wednesday, and Fullerton made it all the way to Sunday before bowing out to North Parkland to end their bid for a championship.

They dropped their opening game to South Parkland 6-4, and then reeled off two wins before succumbing to eventual LVLBL champs North Parkland, 11-1.

Dakota Schiffer took the mound for the Ramblers in the opening game. As the team's workhorse this season, Schiffer has logged over 34 innings. During that span he has put up outstanding numbers, ranking second in the league in wins as of June 29. However, his start against the Trojans was arguably his rockiest of the season. He surrendered 11 hits and six runs over four innings.

"He just wasn't himself that night," said general manager Jim Hein. "He just had a bad night."

Hein said the Trojans were able to hit the ball hard, collecting a number of extra-base hits that led to runs. One of those was a three-run homer by Tyler Bruno in the top of the fourth that capped a four-run inning, sealing the Ramblers fate.

Hein said they tried to come back, getting three runs over the last three innings to draw within two.

"We just dug ourselves too big a hole," said Hein. "But they battled to the end."

Since it was a double-elimination tournament, Fullerton next met Emmaus, winning 7-4. In that game, Matt Melosky got the win, going four strong innings before being relieved by Jeff Charles. The two combined on a five-hitter, with Charles effectively shutting the door on the Hornets to earn the save.

Melosky helped his own cause in the win, knocking in two runs. They also got big hits from Ariel Figueroa who drove in two runs with a single. Additionally, Alexander Bruneio went 2-2, while Ariel Figueroa and Nathan Doria each knocked in a run.

That was followed by another win against Northern Valley. This time Dakota Schiffer pitched a gem, going the distance for the 2-1 win.

He allowed just four hits to extend the Ramblers championship hopes. He also registered four strikeouts en route to the victory.

"That's the Dakota Schiffer I know," said Hein. "He was phenomenal. He was back in style."

Hein said it may have been the best game in the playoffs, a tight game that was eventually won by Zach Delp's single in the bottom of the sixth.

"That got us the lead and we were able to hold on," said Hein.

Hein said that their perseverance was the key to victory in that game.

"We were determined to win that game," he said. "We weren't ready to go home yet."

Then came North Parkland.

The game unraveled early, with the Buffaloes jumping out to a four-run lead in the bottom of the first. They put four more on the board in the fourth, and then followed that with three more in the sixth. They finished with 13 hits, while only yielding two to the Ramblers.

Hein said that it was a dominating performance. North Parkland has the ability to shut opponents down on the mound, as well as unleash a potent offensive attack. They demonstrated that in the finals too, defeating Southern Lehigh 10-2 to claim the championship.

"We didn't have the answer for their pitching and hitting," said Hein.

After the loss, Hein said that manager Dan Delp got everyone together and lauded what they accomplished this season.

"We told them we were proud of them." said Hein. "They played hard, gave it their best and didn't give up."