Based on their records, there was an indication the home team would be favored to win.

That was the case when Lansford Krajcirik’s hosted West Penn in a Schuylkill Teener League Junior Division game Thursday night.

Lansford had just one loss - its season opener - in six outings, while West Penn has yet to hit the win column.

It came as no surprise when Lansford jumped out to a 10-2 lead after three innings, as all season they’ve show explosiveness.

West Penn never quit, though, and worked hard to come back by scoring four runs in the seventh inning.

That wasn’t enough, however, as Lansford held on for a 12-7 win.

West Penn has a very young team, with three 14-year-olds and the rest just 13 years old.

“Some (of the players) haven’t played in years,” said West Penn Coach Jamie Kane. “One of the things we try to teach is ‘never give up.’ Today they tried to do that.”

Admittedly, Lansford liberally substituted. All 17 players on the roster played in the field for two or more innings.

Two young players, Chase Krynock and Damien Moyer, each got the first base hits of their careers.

“We have a little bit more experience, but I’m glad to see some of our bats wake up,” Lansford head coach Tim Goida said.

Brody Breiner started for Lansford, pitching the first two innings. He gave up two basehits and didn’t allow any runs.

He was relieved in the third by Cameron Caffery, who was making only his second appearance this season on the mound.

Caffery remained in the game until the seventh inning when he appeared to tire and loaded the bases. Veteran player Hayden Goida served as the closer.

“I was pleased we got five-plus innings out of Cameron Caffrey,” said coach Goida. “It’s great for the younger kids to get the experience. We’re trying to mix some of our younger players with the older ones.”

Lansford built a 4-0 first-inning lead thanks to five consecutive basehits to start the game. Scoring were Chase Weaver, Drew Kokinda, Hayden Goida and Matt Engler.

Engler hit a single deep into the outfield which accounted for two RBIs. Weaver had three RBIs and Kokinda two.

Timmy Edmonds had the hot bat for West Penn, going three-for-four with a double, two singles and an RBI, while Luke Kane had two basehits and also reached first on an error.

Kane said it was his team’s second-best offensive game of the year. Earlier this week against a Pottsville team, West Penn came just short of its first win.

PLAY OF THE GAME ... In the top of the fifth inning, Weaver showed great range by going deep into center field to track down a fly ball. Not only did he snag it, he fired the ball back to second base to double up a West Penn runner who had strayed too far off the base, thinking the ball was dropping for a hit. It’s the second time this season Weaver has helped create that type of a double play.

LOOKING AHEAD ... Lansford has a game next weekend against powerful Hegins. Last year, Hegins won the league championship, beating Lansford in the playoffs. A win over Hegins would likely have Lansford in the running for the championship this year.

West Penn 002 001 4 - 7 8 3

Lansford 424 101 x - 12 11 5

Kamant, Rogers (3), Steigerwalt (4), Kane (7) and Kane, Vercolitis (4). Breiner, Caffrey (3), Goida (7) and Engler, Penberth (3). W - Breiner. L - Kamant.