The game had everything—early fireworks, momentum swings, and late-inning chaos—but in the end, it was one inning too many that doomed the Vikings.
Westchester CC looked in complete control before many fans had even settled into their seats.
In the top of the first, the Vikings came out swinging with authority. Mercer Jordan(Beacon NY/Beacon High School) sparked the offense with an RBI single, and moments later, John Avellino(New Rochelle, NY/Salesian High School) delivered a thunderous bases-clearing double to the gap, stunning Bergen and handing Westchester a commanding 4–0 lead right out of the gate.
Then, just as quickly, it unraveled.
The bottom of the first turned into a nightmare inning for the Vikings—one that flipped the entire trajectory of the game. Bergen erupted for seven runs on just one hit, taking full advantage of walks and hit batters. The strike zone became elusive, and the Bulldogs capitalized. Mercado's bases-loaded walk punctuated the rally, as what looked like early dominance for Westchester suddenly became a 7–4 deficit.
But this Vikings team didn't go quietly.
They chipped away, battled through the middle innings, and clawed their way back into the fight. By the sixth inning, the pressure had shifted again. Jason Jackson(Arlington High School) ripped a clutch RBI single down the right field line, and Oscar Almanzar(Dominican Republic) followed with a gritty bases-loaded walk to push Westchester back in front, 9–8. The dugout came alive—the Vikings had taken the game back.
For a moment, it felt like they had weathered the storm.
Then came the seventh.
In a cruel twist mirroring the first inning, Bergen once again capitalized on control issues and turned patience into production. A hit-by-pitch, a string of walks, and a timely single from Radice ignited another avalanche. Runs crossed in every way imaginable—walks, groundouts, wild pitches—and just like that, the Bulldogs had surged ahead for good.
Westchester never recovered.
Despite outhitting Bergen 12–10, the Vikings couldn't overcome the free passes. Thirteen walks issued to the Bulldogs proved to be the difference in a game where traffic on the bases never seemed to stop.
Still, there were standout performances in the loss.
Freddy Heymach(Pawling, NY/Pawling High School) was relentless at the plate, collecting three hits and swiping two bases. Avellino drove in three runs in a key performance from the lower half of the lineup, while Adriel Rodriguez(Yonkers, NY/Saunders High School) and Jeremiah Rock(Carmel, NY/Carmel High School) each added multiple hits.
Out of the bullpen, Owens delivered a stabilizing effort, tossing 4.2 innings while allowing just one run and striking out five, giving Westchester every chance to stay within striking distance.
Westchester will return to action this week for their second conference matchup against Ulster County Community College in a 4 games set. Keep an eye out on the WCC website for any updates to the schedule. Go Vikings!!
