KFF Surges Past Lakeland in Section 5 Opener, Sets Up Showdown with Abington
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | July 12, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
SCOTT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A seven-run outburst in the third inning lifted Kingston/Forty Fort to an 8-3 victory over Lakeland in Saturday’s Section 5 Majors (12U) opener at Lakeland Little League.
Kingston/Forty Fort flipped the script in the third and never looked back, using clutch hitting and strong relief pitching to defeat Lakeland, 8-3, in Section 5 tournament play. With the win, KFF advances to face District 17 champion Abington on Sunday, who defeated Greater Pittston Township 12-0 earlier in the day.
Lakeland struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Ryan Hollow delivered a two-RBI single to center. But the 2-0 lead was short-lived.
In the top of the third, KFF’s offense erupted. Ma’Kye Kushnir drove in two with a double, while Dayne Wadas, Nicholas Lipinski, and Russell Singer helped fuel the rally with key at-bats. By the time the dust settled, KFF led 7-2.
Lakeland trimmed the lead in the bottom half thanks to a solo home run by Kaleb Krushinski, but it was the last run they'd score.
Kushnir earned the win on the mound, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits with a pair of strikeouts. Lipinski closed the door in dominant fashion, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
Wadas and Lipinski each had two hits, while Kushnir and Wadas drove in two runs apiece. Richard McCabe and Samuel Figueroa each walked twice as part of KFF’s disciplined offensive approach.
Hollow went 2-for-2 with two RBIs to pace Lakeland, while T.J. Horan also recorded two hits. Peyton Naniewicz started for Lakeland, giving up five earned runs and striking out four in three innings.
Kingston/Forty Fort will now turn its focus to Sunday’s matchup against Abington, with a spot in the Section 5 championship game hanging in the balance.
