Sunday night’s game between Lansford and Hegins in the Schuylkill Teener League Junior Division was filled with anticipation.

Hegins is the defending league champion for three consecutive years. Lansford was second in both the regular season and playoffs to Hegins last year.

The two teams came into Sunday’s game tied for first place.

Although the contest started as a shootout, Hegins was shut down in the late innings by pitcher Tyler Black. Black tossed the last three innings for Lansford, helping his team secure an 8-6 victory.

Black struck out four, gave up no walks and allowed just one hit - a home run by Lucas Scheib.

Besides the stellar pitching performance, Black also had a superb night hitting the ball. He was 3-for-3, including two singles and a double, and scored three times.

When called to the mound in the fifth inning, with Lansford having a 6-5 lead, Black admitted, “I was nervous.”

He got over those jitters in a hurry, striking out two and causing a pop fly.

Lansford then added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to give him some cushion.

“Tyler coming in throwing strikes really helped,” said Lansford coach Tim Goida. “Our first two pitchers were putting themselves in deep counts, which is rust from not playing earlier in the spring.

“Today was the Tyler I expected in the beginning of the year, with his hitting and pitching.”

Also having a strong night was second baseman Drew Kokinda, who was walked and had two singles. He also scored once.

“Drew has been hitting the past few games and that’s why he’s in the No. 2 (batting) spot,” said Goida. “He’s a fine all-around player and he knows the game.”

Hegins demonstrated potency, showering Lansford with three deep home runs. Two were by leadoff hitter Layne Yoder.

This was the first time this season, in either junior or senior league play, that homers were hit on the Lansford field.

“We had three home runs but didn’t get hits when guys were on base,” Hegins head coach Shawn Masser said. “All were home runs with the bases empty.

“They’re a good team. Lansford hit the ball better than any team we played this year, including Branch.”

Lansford is tied for first in the standings with Branch Township, but would earn the tiebreaker because it has defeated Branch.

Coach Masser said even though Hegins had been tied for first with Lansford, he has a young team.

“We are starting three legitimate little leaguers,” Masser said. “We’re a little young, but we’re here to compete.”

RAIN DELAY ... Lightning on the horizon caused a 30-minute delay during the game. The flashes occurred in the top of the fourth inning.

SEASON IS WINDING DOWN ... Lansford has just three games remaining in the regular season. On Tuesday, the juniors are at home against Frackville.

NICE DOUBLE ... Brennan Kunkle, one of the younger players for Lansford, had a big hit in the fifth for Lansford when he smashed a double down the third-base line.

Hegins 130 100 1 - 6 4 2

Lansford 312 020 x - 8 10 3

Scheib, Wehry (5) and Schwartz; Jones, Engler (2), Black (5) and Breiner, Goida (2). W - Engler. L - Scheib.