On its run up to the Lehigh Valley Legion League playoffs, Lower Macungie picked up a win and a tie – yes, a tie – in its final two games.

The Mustangs were also credited with a second win by virtue of a forfeit by Southern Lehigh. They finished the regular season with a 7-6-1 record that put them into the league playoffs in a first round matchup with North Parkland.

In the 2-2 tie with Northern Valley, the offense had a tough time against Chargers’ starter Nick Buskirk, who allowed just one hit, a hit batter and four walks over five innings before weather wiped out the remainder of the game.

With no time for makeup games, the game was deemed official.

“Just a dreadful weather year,” said Lower Macungie manager and league president Jeff Smith. “Worst that I can remember and this week looks like a repeat of the last few weeks.”

Drayce Schmidt led off the top of the fifth for Lower Mac with his team down 1-0 and not only went to second on a throwing error. Buskirk struck out the next two hitters with Schmidt still on second before Connor Horvath worked a walk to put two runners on.

Things got even more interesting when Aaron Fleetwood walked to load the bags. Ryan Hummell then drilled a single through the middle to allow both Schmidt and Horvath to score and give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the inning Hummell, who started for Lower Macungie, gave up an RBI single to Buskirk that tied the game.

Lower Macungie beat Whitehall-Coplay 7-2 earlier in the week. Horwath got the start and threw seven innings, allowing six hits and two unearned runs to go with seven strikeouts to get the win.

At the plate, Horwath was on base three times with a walk, a single and a double to score one run and drive in a run for Lower Mac. The Mustangs also got a single and a double from Dayne Schmidt, who scored a run and drove in another.

“I am extremely pleased with where we have ended up,” said Smith. “We are young but have held our own throughout the season with a couple of nice wins against South Parkland, which always helps.

“I’m very proud of the team this season. The pitching has come along tremendously. It’s a great group of kids and almost all of them should be back next season. For now, we will do our best to continue to compete hard and maybe steal a spot in regionals.”

In the opening round of the playoffs on Monday, Lower Macungie fell to North Parkland 4-1.

Hummell again got the start and pitched well, giving up three earned runs in six innings with six strikeouts and no walks.

Hummell, Fleetwood, Cole Geiger, and Chase Simmons all collected singles in the game with Josh Diaz driving in the lone run for Lower Macungie.

The remainder of the LVL playoff schedule has not been released.

South Parkland, which finished in first place in the regular season, had a bye for Monday’s first round, while Northern Valley beat Whitehall-Coplay in the other first-round game in the five-team league.

The regional tournament begins on July 18 at Boyertown High School. Two LVL teams will advance to regionals.