The South Parkland legion baseball team was down to its final three outs trailing, twice, late in the game. But each time scored runs to first tie the game and force extra innings, then win in walk-off fashion, as the Trojans defeated rival North Parkland 8-7 last Friday evening at Parkland High School.

South Parkland was trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh before scoring twice to force extras. In the eighth, the Trojans fell behind 7-6, but once again brought home two runners to secure the victory.

“It was definitely the most exciting moment of the season so far,” said head coach Will Algard. “Our guys were down against maybe the best pitcher in the league and we battled all the way through and came out on top in the end.”

It was the second consecutive win over the Buffaloes in as many days, taking down North Parkland 14-6 on Thursday. Algard knows how big of momentum it is to take both games from them.

“It does feel good,” Algard said. “They are a great club with a lot of good players and hats off to our guys for grinding through and taking both games and I’m looking forward to matching up with them in the playoffs for another battle.”

Jacob Donmoyer recorded a game-winning, two-run double in the eighth to give his team the win. The Trojans also scored twice to tie the game in the seventh, helped by a Buffaloes’ error. Algard believes the game turned his team’s way in the late innings when North Parkland’s starter, Joseph Algard, was pulled. He struck out nine batters and allowed just three hits and three runs in five innings.

“The key I think for the late success was knocking their starter out of the game in the fifth,” said Algard. “He pitched really well and we were able to get ourselves better matchups late in the game. Our guys are fighters and will never quit until the last out is made and it’s a great feeling as a coach to know you have a team of guys like that.”

South Parkland sits at 10-0 after topping Lower Macungie 11-7 on Saturday. Owen Lehr went 2-for-4 at the plate, leading his team in hits and to continue an undefeated record.

“I think collectively we are a hungry group that has one goal in mind and that’s to be on top at the end of the season and go on a regional run,” Algard said. “The energy we have day in and day out is simply, find a way to win, and each guy has the mentality of how can I help the team win today, and that’s why I think we have had a lot of success.”

At about the halfway mark in the season, Algard is happy with where his team is at.

“I think we are in the driver’s seat right now,” said Algard. “We are getting some key players back for us that have been hurt early in the year and our offensive has greatly improved since the start of the season. I told these guys from the beginning the sky is the limit for this team and I can’t wait to see how much they can accomplish.”