Lehigh Valley League (LVL) and Northampton County League’s (NorCo) American Legion Baseball All-Stars converged at Sammy Balliet Stadium in Coplay on June 21 when NorCo edged the host team, 7-6.

NorCo jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but LVL broke open its game with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

“It didn’t look good in the beginning, but they fought back, and it was a great game,” said LVL manager Jeff Smith. “We started this All-Star Game a few years ago, and every game has been a one-run game or tie. This is for fun. We had a great time.”

Andrew Klotz’s RBI double to center field followed by Sawyer Marsteller’s RBI triple put LVL on the board. Marsteller then scored on a wild pitch, and Parker Grady scored on a bases-loaded walk with the score 5-4.

Dylan Keith plated NorCo’s sixth run, and Nolan Koza’s RBI single that dropped in short right field scored Lincoln Kuster who had a leadoff double in the top of the seventh inning.

“I was trying to get a single, get some guys in,” Koza said. “It was in on my hands, kind of got in on me, and just dropped right in for a single RBI.”

In the bottom of the seventh, Tsubasa Magota scored on a bases-loaded walk, and Klotz’s RBI pulled LVL within one run, trailing, 7-6.

Chase Luckenbach came in to pitch for NorCo and close down LVL’s threat, forcing a double play to end the inning.

“To be able to go out there, bases loaded and no outs and still shut it down, it’s something you have to do,” said Luckenbach.

Klotz’s pitching held NorCo scoreless in the eighth inning, and Zach Schaedel tossed three strikeouts in the ninth.

“Klotz hasn’t pitched all year, and we were running out of pitching, so he said, ‘Yeah, I’ll throw an inning,’ and then he came off and said, ‘I’ll throw another,’ and he did great,” said Coach Smith.

Koza took the mound in the bottom of the ninth, charged with preserving NorCo’s one-run lead for the win.

“It was very important because I could’ve gone out there and not thrown my stuff or not pitch good, but I ended the game right there,” he said. “My fastball was working best, and my curveball was a good strikeout pitch.”

Ryan Kullman’s double to left center field was the first hit for NorCo in the top of the first inning.

“Our leadoff runner got on, and I was just looking for something to drive, and I got it. I ripped it as hard as I could in the gap,” said Kullman, who pitched a one-two-three inning in the eighth.

“I was trying to locate my fastball, and I did just that, trying to hit the outside corner, and I did and got weak contact. It’s great to come out here and represent my team (Freemansburg-Bethlehem Township) and come out here with all the other guys as well. It’s a fun time, and a good opportunity.”

Chase Beidermann’s sacrifice fly scored NorCo’s Esa Jackson for the game’s first run.

NorCo plated four runs in the third inning, highlighted by Koza’s triple to center field.

“I was sitting on a fastball and got it,” Koza said. “The pitcher wasn’t throwing too hard, so I was just waiting for it to come in, see the ball, and drive it.”

NorCo manager Barry Serfass told his team two things.

“I told them we’re not bunting. We’re swinging away,” he said. “You steal on your own. If you can make it, you go. People want to see them play, and we’re gonna play. Getting together and playing baseball- that’s what we’re here for. It’s great. Coming out and playing against Parklands and Whitehalls and Lower Macs and all, it’s a good thing for the kids.”

NorCo All-Stars include Esa Jackson, Ryan Kullman, Dylan Keith, Chase Beidermann, Kam Kensicki, Matt Chaffier, Chase Luckenbach, Lincoln Kuster, Curtis Crossman, Bennett Sanford, Zakary Novak, Nolan Koza, Colin Howell, Tyler Balok, Chase Brown, Brayden Giandemenico, Anthony Fancera, Paul Maccarrone, Briar Breckon, Colin Andrews, Jacob Bostwick, and Chase Werkheiser.

LVL All-Stars include Ryan Hummell, Ryan Bennett, Aaron Fleetwood, Nate Unger, Tsubasa Magota, Brady Marabito, Max George, Jacob Carson, Braydon Buskirk, Zach Schaedel, Seth Hoderewski, Kolby Miller, Andrew Klotz, Carter Delong, Brady Derr, Sawyer Marsteller, Braden Greenawald, and Parker Grady.

NorCo All-Stars

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LVL All-Stars

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