Winter Haven, FL - In a wild, back-and-forth extra-inning battle, the Westchester Community College Vikings outlasted the Bunker Hill Bulldogs, 18–15, in a high-scoring contest that featured 29 combined hits.
Westchester wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. John Avellino(New Rochelle, NY/Salesian High School) singled to spark the offense, followed by a double from Mercer Jordan(Beacon, NY/Beacon High School) and an RBI single down the left-field line by Peter Portugues(Mount Kisco, NY/Fox Lane High School), as the Vikings plated three early runs.
Jordan continued his standout performance in the second inning, launching a three-run home run to left field to extend Westchester's lead.
The Vikings broke the game open in the fifth inning, scoring five runs on four hits. Jordan drew a bases-loaded walk, Portugues delivered an RBI single, and Jason Jackson(Arlington High School), Chris Echols(Somers, NY/John F. Kennedy Preparatory School), and Oscar Almanzar(Dominican Republic) each added run-scoring hits to give Westchester a commanding advantage.
Bunker Hill responded in the bottom half of the fifth, capitalizing on control issues and timely hitting to score five runs.
The Bulldogs surged ahead in the seventh inning, putting together a seven-run frame on five hits. Arias delivered the biggest blow with a bases-clearing triple, while Pabon followed with an RBI single. Murphy added a two-run home run, and Hayakawa capped the inning with an RBI double.
With the game tied late, Westchester found the decisive swing in extra innings. Jordan delivered once again in the top of the 12th inning, crushing his second home run of the game to left field to give the Vikings an 18–15 lead they would not relinquish.
Tyler Senft(Greenwich Connecticut/Greenwich High School) earned the victory out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit over two scoreless innings while striking out one.
Westchester starter Jeremiah Rock(Carmel, NY/Carmel High School) allowed seven runs (five earned) over 4.2 innings, while Freddy Heymach(Pawling, NY/Pawling High School) provided a key performance out of the bullpen with three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
Offensively, the Vikings recorded 13 hits and showed exceptional discipline at the plate, drawing 16 walks. Portugues led the way with two hits, while Austin Jorgensen(Poughkeepsie, NY/Our Lady Of Lourdes) reached base four times via walks. Westchester was aggressive on the basepaths, stealing 11 bases, with Avellino, Jordan, and Jorgensen each swiping multiple bags.
Despite Bunker Hill's late surge, Westchester's timely hitting and resilience in extra innings proved to be the difference in a game that featured offensive fireworks from both sides.
The next WCC would find themselves in a double header against a D3 team receiving votes in the national poll, Northern Essex Community College.
Westchester Community College outlasted Northern Essex Community College, 8–7, on Thursday in a dramatic contest.
They were powered by a dominant day at the plate from Heymach, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and two singles, setting the tone offensively for the Vikings.
Northern Essex struck first, capitalizing early in the top of the first inning. Diaz delivered a two-run single to give the Knights a quick 2–0 advantage. Westchester answered immediately in the bottom half, as Jorgensen laced an RBI double to help even the score at two.
The Knights reclaimed momentum in the third inning when Castillo launched a home run to left field. A sacrifice fly from Masselli extended the lead to 4–2, putting Westchester on its heels.
But the Vikings refused to fold.
In the bottom of the fifth, Westchester surged ahead with a four-run inning fueled by timely hitting. Adriel Rodriguez(Yonkers, NY/Saunders High School) ignited the rally with an RBI double, Jordan followed with a run-scoring single, and Jorgensen delivered once again, driving in two runs with his second double of the game to give the Vikings a 6–4 lead.
Northern Essex responded with resilience in the sixth. Megan stepped to the plate and crushed a game-tying home run to left field, evening the score at seven and setting the stage for a tense finish.
With the game hanging in the balance in the bottom of the sixth, Westchester found its defining moment. Avellino put the ball in play and reached on a fielder's choice, allowing the go-ahead run to cross the plate and giving the Vikings an 8–7 lead.
From there, the bullpen took over.
Jackson delivered under pressure, earning the win with two innings of one-run ball while allowing just one hit and striking out two without a walk.Vasili Kelesidis(Stamford High School/Stamford, NY) added a scoreless inning in relief, and Senft provided a steady start, striking out two over two innings of work.
Jorgensen led the Vikings offensively with four RBIs, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate, while Heymach's perfect day fueled the lineup throughout. In a game defined by momentum swings and clutch performances, Westchester delivered the final blow—and made it stand.
However game 2 would provide a different outcome. The Northern Essex bats were hot from the jump. WCC would only plate 6 runs on 7 hits. Heymach and Avellino both homered in 16-6 loss.
Westchester will play their last 2 games in Florida tomorrow before they go back home. It will take place at the World Wide of Sports Complex in Disney Florida. They will take on D1 Delgado CC. Game 1 will be at 10:30 and game 2 will be at 1. Come out and support your VIkings!!.
