Arnold's Walk-Off Bomb Blasts Old Forge Past Mid Valley in Clutch Thriller
By: SportzWire | SportzWire | April 24, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
Talk about a heart-stopper! Old Forge pulled off a wild 6-4 walk-off victory against Mid Valley on Friday, and seriously, you couldn't write a better ending. Old Forge was staring down a 4-3 deficit in the bottom of the seventh when Ava Arnold stepped up and absolutely blasted a three-run bomb to center field, sealing the win in the most dramatic way possible. This game was wild.
The bottom of Old Forge's lineup was absolutely tearing it up all day. Addison Rafalko, Lilianna Lenceski, and Julia Marianelli combined for four of the team's eight hits. They scored two runs and drove in two, showing up big time when it counted.
Mid Valley actually got on the board first, with Natalie Hricenak smashing a solo home run to left field in the second inning. But Old Forge wasn't having any of that. Julia Marianelli came through in the bottom of the second with a single that scored two runs, grabbing the lead for Old Forge, 2-1.
Old Forge kept that momentum going in the fourth when Joselyn DeStefano launched a solo home run to center field on an 0-2 count. That put them up 3-1.
Mid Valley showed some serious fight, though! They knotted the game up at three in the top of the fifth with a couple of singles, with Parker Bennett delivering a clutch hit to tie it. Then, in the sixth, Addison Frein ripped a double to put Mid Valley back in front, 4-3. It looked like they might just steal it!
But you know what? Kamryn Notari was a warrior on the mound for Old Forge, grabbing the win after allowing seven hits and four runs (only one earned) over seven innings. She was dealing, striking out six and not walking anyone. Ava Hazelton took the loss for Mid Valley, pitching six and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs on eight hits, but still striking out nine and walking just one. Both pitchers left it all out there.
Ava Arnold, with her game-winning heroics, went 1-for-4 at the plate and led Old Forge with three runs batted in. Lilianna Lenceski and Joselyn DeStefano were also crushing it, each collecting two hits for Old Forge. Old Forge flashed some leather too, turning one double play. Natalie Hricenak was a beast for Mid Valley, going 2-for-3 with that solo homer and an RBI. Angela Laskowski, Addison Frein, Natalie Hricenak, and Parker Bennett each drove in a run for Mid Valley. And seriously, Mid Valley's defense was flawless, playing lights out and not committing a single error. Ariana Davey was a vacuum cleaner out there, leading the team with nine plays.
Player of the Game Ava Arnold (Old Forge) – You can't beat a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory. Pure clutch!
Top 5 Player Stats
Old Forge
Ava Arnold: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Joselyn DeStefano: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Lilianna Lenceski: 2-for-3
Julia Marianelli: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Kamryn Notari: (W) 7.0 IP, 6 K, 1 ER
Mid Valley
Natalie Hricenak: 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Addison Frein: 1 double, 1 RBI
Parker Bennett: 1 single, 1 RBI
Angela Laskowski: 1 RBI
Ava Hazelton: (L) 6.2 IP, 9 K, 6 R
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