While Whitehall left the bases loaded three times without scoring a run, Northampton got the key hits with runners on base to defeat the Zephyrs, 11-0, at Northampton on Monday in 4 ½ innings.

The K-Kids scored five runs in the second inning and added six more in the fourth, batting around in both innings.

The Zephyrs had a chance to grab momentum early. After Donato Brigidi, Tyler Sanders and Chase Miller all reached base, Northampton starting pitcher Brady Simock struck out Callen Nicklas to end the Whitehall threat.

“Our numbers with men at second and third base with less than two outs are really, really bad,” said Eric Schmitt, Whitehall manager. “We have to figure out a way. I think it got made even worse because they (Northampton) showed on the other side, if you just put balls in play, you can be successful.”

It stayed scoreless until the bottom of the second inning, when the first six K-Kids to bat all reached base. After singles from Brayden Giandomenico and Gavin Caravallo to start the inning, Giandomenico scored when he beat the tag on a safety squeeze from Tyler Biechy. Following a walk to Jake Raysely, a Zach Hartzell single brought home Caravallo. Then, Biechy scored when Casey Williams was hit by a pitch.

Sacrifice flies from Aidan Sugra and Jaxon Rutzmoser brought in Raysely and Hartzell for the inning’s fourth and fifth runs.

“The little things are what we try and pride ourselves on,” said Mick Sugra, Northampton manager. “We’re hitting phenomenal. I can’t give these guys enough credit. We have a couple of guys at the top that can run the bases really well. We create some havoc and put some pressure on the opposing pitchers and, hopefully, good things happen.”

Whitehall again loaded the bases in the fourth inning on walks by Nik Cristman, Jack Lloyd and Josh Hartner with two outs. However, Simock struck out Brigidi to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Northampton added six more runs.

Sugra walked to lead off the inning, then stole second and third before scoring on a wild pitch. With one out, Rutzmoser, Giandomenico, Caravallo, Biechy, and Raysely all reached base consecutively and scored, with the final RBI’s coming on a fielder’s choice from Hartzell and a sacrifice fly from Williams.

The Zephyrs loaded the bases one more time in the top of the fifth on walks by Kolby Miller and Sudge Hoderewski, along with a single by Nicklas. However, K-Kid reliever Gavin Taff struck out Henry Shultz to end the game.

Nik Cristman started on the mound for the Zephyrs, allowing seven runs and striking out two in 3+ innings. Henry Shultz finished the game for Whitehall on the mound, allowing four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

After a Wednesday game at Coca-Cola Park against Allentown Central Catholic, Whitehall (7-4) has six days off.

“Guys are tired,” Schmitt said. “We’ll get some rest. If there’s a silver lining, this won’t count against us in the conference standings.”

Meanwhile, Northampton (7-3) returned to action in an EPC Northampton division game on Tuesday against Freedom. A score for that game was not available as of press time. They are slated to host Allentown Central Catholic today.