LIVINGSTON MANOR — Livingston Manor hosted Seward on Wednesday afternoon, and despite trailing 2-0 early in the game, the Wildcats’ offense erupted in the second and the team never looked back as they went on to win 16-11.

Seward scored two runs in the top of the first inning to open up the game, thanks to a walk, two stolen bases, an RBI single and three more steals, including a passed ball steal of home. Aside from the two baserunners, the other three batters in the inning struck out looking as Aiden Johnston fired the ball in from the mound.

In the bottom of the first, Livingston Manor took the lead for themselves with their 1-3 hitters all scoring in the frame. A single by Anthony Zamenick, a dropped third strike to Ben Johnston and a single for Aiden Johnston set the Wildcats up for success early. Logan Park reached on an errant throw that went out of play and advanced the runners leading to the 3-2 score.

The Wildcats worked around a baserunner in the second to put up a clean half inning before getting back to work at the plate.

After two quick outs to start the inning for Seward, the Wildcats managed to bat around, scoring seven runs in the process and jumping out to a 10-2 lead.

Four singles, two walks, an error and a hit by pitch opened the flood gates for Livingston Manor, who took full advantage of their opportunities in the inning.

Seward returned fire with a run in the third, cutting it to a 10-3 lead, but the damage was limited.

The Wildcats loaded up the bases in the home half of the third, but they were unable to add any insurance runs in the frame.

Aiden continued cruising on the mound in the fourth inning, leaving the bases loaded and getting out of the jam without giving up a run.

Starting near the bottom of the order in the fourth, Livingston Manor’s offense continued to produce runs. In the inning, the 7 and 9 hitters in the lineup came around to score and the Wildcats went up 12-3.

Seward’s bats picked up in the fifth, with back-to-back doubles and an inside-the-park home run to start the inning. The Spartans would add a total of five runs in the inning before Livingston Manor was able to escape with their lead down to just four at 12-8.

The momentum seemed to be shifting towards Seward after the Wildcats went down 1-2-3 in the fifth, but the Spartans added just one run in the top of the sixth and still trailed 12-9.

In the home half of the sixth, Livingston Manor got some much-needed insurance runs as they plated four runs and nearly batted around in the inning, increasing their lead to 16-9, with just three outs separating them from their third straight win.

Seward was able to drive in two runs in the top of the seventh, but the 7-run lead that Manor built proved to be too much as the Wildcats held on for the 16-11 victory.

Livingston Manor is back to work today, hosting Eldred this afternoon in a marquee matchup between two ‘D’ schools.