Though there were more than a few tense moments, Fifth Ward did ultimately manage to advance to the semifinal round of the Lebanon County American Legion Baseball League’s postseason. But perhaps more importantly, Fifth Ward continued to change a climate.

And Jorge Garcia has been one of the main transformers.

Garcia was certainly in the middle of things this week, as third-seeded Fifth Ward edged sixth-seeded Richland, two games to one in a best-of-three opening-round series. Garcia scored the winning run in the eighth inning of the middle game of the series on Wednesday night at Elco High School’s Lyle Krall Field, after igniting the rally with a one-out single.

The following evening at Fifth Ward Athletic Field, Garcia and Lebanon edged Richland 1-0 to move on to the semis.

Then on Saturday night at Annville-Cleona High School, Garcia got Fifth Ward off on the right foot against second-seeded Annville. His booming home run to left field in the top of the second inning of Game One jump started his club’s offense and Fifth Ward went on to score two more runs in the frame to assume a 3-1 lead.

Though Fifth Ward would go on to drop its semifinal opener to Annville 5-3, it was apparent that Garcia and his mates had very much become contenders.

– Jeff Falk