Lehigh Little League’s 10U all-stars began the PA District 20 tournament with a 15-0 victory over Northwest, followed by a 10-0 loss to Pennridge, and then an 8-4 victory over Southern Lehigh, and an 18-1 victory over North Bethlehem.

This week, Lehigh will have traveled to Pennridge, hoping to avenge its loss and stay alive in the District 20 tournament.

“I think we showed up and the boys weren’t mentally in it as much as they were the first game. I know it’s hot, but it’s hot for both teams,” said Lehigh manager Ryan Beck after the loss to Pennridge. “We were a lot more active with swinging our bats the first game, and we had a lot more mental mistakes in the second game that really killed us, a lot of passed balls. We need to keep the ball in front of us. You add that all together, and it just wasn’t a good outcome for us.”

Pennridge went up 4-0 in the first inning.

Micah Keating hit a two-out triple past third base, and Zack Wimmer’s single scored Keating.

Lehigh pitcher Braden Beck dug out of a bases-loaded second inning, striking out Keating, after Jack Walter was hit by a pitch, Connor Lowe had an infield hit that took a bad hop, and Brooks Worman walked.

“I’m proud of my pitcher,” said Coach Beck. “He got out of a couple innings there with two strikes, bases loaded, so I’m proud we executed at the mound pretty good.”

Pennridge’s fourth inning put the game away when Levi Clymer led off with a double to left field, and Lowe hit a 2 RBI line drive to center. Two more line drives were hit by Jason Lewis and Jaxon Moyer.

“They hit the ball, not that great, but we just couldn’t knock it down in the outfield.,” said Coach Beck. “We just gave up that extra base that killed us.”

Lehigh had two hits by Miguel Medina, and one apiece by Joseph Miller, Mason Martisofski.

Pennridge’s victory over Lehigh was its second double digit win, having defeated North Bethlehem 11-1 to start the series.

“Nothing surprises me with this group of kids because they love to be out here, and they love to play the game of baseball,” said Pennridge manager Matt Trauger. “All these kids have been playing three games a week since April, and every day we get together, we work on hitting and defense and the mental aspect of their approach to the game. There definitely is [a rivalry]. This is my first time through, and yes, there definitely is, but we like to try and get up for every game. They’re having a blast, and so am I, and I’m proud of them.”

Winning pitcher Lowe delivered four strikeouts, and Beck had six for Lehigh.