Lions handle Hornets

ORANGE — For a few innings, it appeared Orange County was ready to end several years of frustrating losses and knock off powerhouse rival Louisa County. But a monster double by Louisa’s Dylan Szalankiewicz helped spark a five-run fifth inning that blew apart Orange’s chances.
Louisa rode the momentum to a 10-3 victory to stay atop the Jefferson District with a 4-0 mark.
“Dylan has been clutch for us all year,” said Louisa coach Kevin Fisher. “Like I said a couple of weeks ago, he can look horrible at the plate and then runners are on and it’s a big at bat and he comes up.”
Szalankiewicz’s shot traveled nearly 400 feet in cavernous Porterfield Park and likely would’ve been a home run in most other local parks. Instead, the ball rolled under an obstruction and was ruled a ground-rule double. The hit plated Kurt Fleming and Tyler Brookman and put Louisa (9-3, 4-0 Jefferson District) up 6-2 just a half-inning after Orange (7-5, 2-2) had narrowed the gap to 3-2.
“We just had to go in there, relax, go back to fundamentals and take care of business,” Szalankiewicz said.
Orange County lefthander Derrick Justice had a solid night on the mound, and exited the game after loading the bases in the fifth just before Szalankiewicz’s homerun. Justice struck out six Louisa batters, but didn’t get much help from his defense as the Hornets committed four errors.
“If we’d have made some plays tonight behind him early, he’s probably taking us into the seventh inning with maybe a tie ballgame if not a run lead,” said Orange coach Jesse Lohr.
Gunnar Carroll picked up the win for the Lions, throwing a solid 5.1 innings. The sophomore righthander scattered five hits and struck out three in the effort. Joshua Vipperman, a junior, finished things off for for Louisa in the sixth and seventh with inning-ending strikeouts in both frames that stranded Orange runners in scoring position.
Orange’s road won’t get any easier as they face Western Albemarle Friday, while Louisa will try and stay unbeaten against Fluvanna County at home the same day.