Huntington North jumped out to an early lead and eventually led by as much as 9-2 before the Braves mounted a rally in their final at-bat, scoring three runs before falling in NE8 play, 9-5.
Aidan Zimmerman drew the start and allowed seven runs on seven hits in 4+ innings of work. He hit three batters and walked two.
Layne LeMaster came on in relief and finished out the fifth inning and then gave up two runs in the sixth.
Brayden Gearheart struck out five in his five innings of work for the Vikings, allowing two earned runs.
The Braves scored a run in the third when Mason Martinez led off the inning with a single, stole second, and then came home on an RBI hit by Will Baker.
They scored again in the fourth with another leadoff hit – this time a double by Oliver Werling. Gavin Krull came in to be the catcher’s courtesy runner and scored on a single by Zimmerman.
Down 9-2 with three outs to play, the Braves loaded the bases with no outs to start the inning. George Gardner was then hit by a pitch, scoring a run, and Kaigan Lee drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Reliever Caiden Pohler got a big strikeout for the second out of the inning, but Aidan Zimmerman made it 9-5 with a single. Pohler then ended the game when he induced a ground ball for the final out.
The Braves play Heritage Wednesday at Parkview Field. That game can be heard live on 92.7 FM.
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