A three-run sixth inning—highlighted by Mikey Pugh’s two-run triple—lifted the Greater Loudoun Lions to a 4-2 victory over Bryant, Ark. in both team’s opening game of the 14-year-old Babe Ruth World Series on Saturday night at Fireman’s Field in Purcellville.

Reid Frazier pitched five-plus solid innings as the Lions’ starter to earn the win. Frazier held Bryant hitless through the first four innings. He allowed two runs on two hits, while striking out three. 

Zack Hopeck relieved Frazier with two runners on and no outs in the sixth. Hopeck allowed one of the inherited runners to score before stranding the bases loaded to preserve a two-run lead. Hopeck sat Bryant down in order in the seventh to record the save in the 4-2 win.

Greater Loudoun scored once in the fifth for the game’s first run. Frazier singled to right field with one out and was pinch run for by Ryan Wilson. Aggressive base running by Wilson led to a pair of throwing errors and allowed him to score.

After Bryant tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Lions scored three runs on four hits in the sixth to take the lead for good. Catcher Josh Sweet drove home left fielder Lorenzo Calderon with a double to deep center.

Two batters later, second basemen Mikey Pugh blistered a triple to left-center field to plate his brother Danny Pugh, who pinch ran for Sweet, and first baseman Ethan Carlyon. Mikey Pugh capped the play with a head first slide into third base before bouncing up and pumping his fist to the delight of the fans that packed the bleachers on Greater Loudoun’s side of Fireman’s Field.

Pugh’s blast gave the Lions the cushion they needed to hold on for the 4-2 victory and a 1-0 start in the World Series.

“There are some adjustments we need to make,” said Greater Loudoun manager Mike Stup in reference to his team being tentative at the plate early in the game. “But when you win a ball game against a very talented team like [Bryant, Ark.] you just have to say ‘That’s a lucky one. Let’s put that one in the books.’”

Ashton Green went the distance on the mound for Bryant. Green struck out six Lions and gave up just two hits through the game’s first five innings. Tristan Matthews and Austin Miller each scored for Bryant with Chase Tucker and Korey Thompson each driving in a run.

Greater Loudoun could face Bryant again if both teams advance to the single-elimination playoffs.

“You have to get them credit. They have a heck of a team,” Stup said of Bryant. “They are a team we will probably see again.”

Greater Loudoun returns to action Sunday at 4 p.m. against Waite Park, Minn. in its second of four pool play games. Waite Park, Minn. defeated Arlington, Mass. 8-1 on Saturday. Tallahassee, Fla. and Lexington, Ky. were also victorious.

“I think we’ll stay hungry and stay focused,” Stup said as the Lions look to build off Saturday’s win. “We have some good leadership in that realm between Carlyon, Sweet, Grayson, Calderon and [Brandall] Peters. Those five combine together on leadership and that helps us move forward. I’m hoping those five guys continue to do that.”

Glove work: Greater Loudoun never trailed in Saturday’s game, thanks to the solid pitching of Frazier and Hopeck along with a defensive gem by shortstop Brandon Grayson. With a runner on third base and two outs in the fourth inning, Grayson made a diving catch of a line drive headed for center field to record the final out and keep the game scoreless.

Click here for Babe Ruth World Series scores, schedule and standings. 

Video: Mikey Pugh talks about Greater Loudoun’s 4-2 victory over Bryant, Ark. Pugh delivered a key two-run triple in the win.