Back in the Win Column: Valley Forge Survives Wisconsin Lutheran 6-5 to Snap Three-Game Skid

Timmons' Grand Slam Fuels Third-Inning Explosion; Dalmado Earns Save to Preserve Florida Bounce-Back Win
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — After dropping three straight games on their spring break trip, Valley Forge baseball needed a spark. They found it in one swing. The Patriots defeated Wisconsin Lutheran 6-5 on Wednesday morning at Terry Park, snapping their losing streak and improving to 5-5 on the season.

Valley Forge trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning when Chase Timmons stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and changed the complexion of the game entirely. Timmons launched a grand slam to left field, a 4-RBI blast that turned a two-run deficit into a 5-3 Valley Forge lead. It was his first home run of the season and the defining moment of the afternoon.

The third inning was a five-run, five-hit explosion that blew the game open. Zack Haines, Juan Lopez, and Joey Demirjian all singled to load the bases ahead of Timmons, and Valley Forge added a sixth run in the fourth when Timmons drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Zack Haines.

Juan Lopez had a standout day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Joey Demirjian went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases, and Brayden Tunnell contributed two hits out of the designated hitter spot.

On the mound, Aaron Zapata earned the win (2-0) after starting and working 4.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts. Wisconsin Lutheran made things interesting in the fifth, scoring twice to cut the deficit to one, but Jake Bannon bridged the gap before Brandon Dalmado came on to close things out in the seventh. Dalmado retired all four batters he faced, stranding the tying run at third to earn his first save of the season.

Wisconsin Lutheran was led offensively by Ian Rintelman and Eli Michaelis, who each went 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Despite Wisconsin Lutheran's 11-hit effort, Valley Forge's defense was clean throughout, committing zero errors.

GAME NOTES

Final Score: Valley Forge 6, Wisconsin Lutheran 5

Record: Valley Forge (5-5) | Wisconsin Lutheran (1-6)

Date/Location: March 11, 2026 — Terry Park Field #1, Fort Myers, Florida

Win: Aaron Zapata (2-0) — 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO

Save: Brandon Dalmado (1) — 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO

Loss: Malachi Kramer (0-1) — 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

Key Hitters (VF): Juan Lopez 4-4, 2B, SB | Chase Timmons 1-2, HR, 5 RBI, BB | Joey Demirjian 2-3, RBI, 2 SB | Braedon Tunnel 2-4

Home Run: Chase Timmons — grand slam, 3rd inning (1)