This summer, Northampton Connie Mack manager Mike Biechy knew he had a balanced squad that contributed to an overall 18-6 record and a third-place finish in the state tournament.

The Kids hit a pothole early in the state tournament, but they soon found a smooth path to a strong finish. “Everyone contributed to our successful season,” said Biechy. “Every player brought something to the table. “I’m really proud to have coached this team and more importantly gotten to know the boys better as players and kids. They played with a ton of heart and I would coach this group against any team out there. They are super talented and more importantly even better young men.”

The Konkrete Kids lost their final regular-season game to Southern Lehigh, and they finished tied for third place with South Parkland and Hellertown with a 14-2 mark. Through tiebreakers, the Kids ended up seeded fifth for the state tournament.

In the league playoffs, the Kids lost to Hellertown, 9-8, in the bottom of the 10th inning despite a strong pitching performance from Chad Werkheiser.

From there, the Kids drew Bucks County’s the Morelanders, and they suffered a 13-3 defeat.

“We again didn’t play well,” stressed Biechy. “We didn’t pitch very well, didn’t hit like we normally do, and made multiple defensive mistakes.”

Mired in a three-game losing streak, the Kids rebounded with a 6-2 victory over Southern Lehigh behind the pitching of Werkheiser and Quinn Hughes.

“I told the guys that we were a better team than we have been playing and said that I didn’t know if we were going to win the tournament, but we were going to win today,” added Biechy. “From that point on, we took it one game at a time and went on a really memorable run.”

The Kids then went on an impressive, three-game stint that typified the grit and determination that showed throughout the season.

They won a 12-11 shootout over Nazareth behind Logan Rusnock’s bases-loaded double, and Will Burrell’s walk-off double.

Northampton kept it going, rallying from a 10-2 deficit to rally and edge Bethlehem Lehigh, 12-11. Rusnock and Nate Kovach each went three-for-five.

Finally, the Kids downed Wissahickon, 6-4, behind a combined pitching performance from Werkheiser and Aide Sergent.

The Kids’ season would end in another loss to the Morelanders, this time a 3-2 loss. Tyler Biecy went the distance in a solid performance.

Overall, Werkheiser went 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA and hit .397. Kovach was 3-2, 3.31 with a team-high 31 strikeouts, and hit .375 with a team-high 28 RBIs. Rusnock hit a team-high .455 with a team-high 30 hits and 18 RBIs.

The Kids hit .349 as a team and had a 3.11 ERA.

For Biechy and his troops, it was a season to remember. He also acknowledged the constant support of assistant coaches Bill Hughes, Chad Werkheiser, and Zach Sarmir.

“It was a hell of a run,” gushed Biechy. “At the start of the season, I told them that I hoped they would have a memorable and fun summer season. I think we followed through with that goal. The next few years should be exciting for the high school program.”