Sunday afternoon was do or die for Lehigh Little League’s 12U team in the District 20 tournament, and Lehigh did, in a big way, defeat Pennridge, 7-1, to play for a championship on Monday night.

“Jacob Strong threw 5 1/3 innings of no hit, shut out ball, and basically brought us here,” said Lehigh manager Buck Horvath.

Strong threw six strikeouts and hit a solo home run to center field in the second inning to give Lehigh a 1-0 lead, but that was only the beginning.

Lehigh scored five more runs in the same inning when Connor Martinez singled after Strong’s homer, Justin Frey hit a 2 RBI double, and Pennridge gave up several walks.

In the fifth inning, Strong scored on a double by Martinez for Lehigh’s seventh run.

Lehigh pitcher Andrew Bowser closed out the game, giving up just one hit and one run in the sixth inning.

Earlier in the double elimination tournament, Lehigh lost to Pennridge, 7-4. With one win apiece, Lehigh would host Pennridge on Monday night when a District 20 champion would be crowned.