RAF ALCONBURY, England – Resiliency paid off for the Alconbury Dragons on Saturday. The Dragons claimed their first baseball victory in school history, 8-7, over the American Community School of Hillingdon. Leading 7-0 going into the fifth and final inning, Alconbury, winless so far in its initial baseball campaign, yielded seven runs in the top of the inning, according to Alconbury coach Jonathan Reinebold.Rather than get their heads down, however, the Dragons set about pushing across the winning run in their half of the frame.Taylor Williamson got the game-winning rally started with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Yerkes. Williamson then scored the walk-off run when the Hillingdon catcher threw the ball away trying to pick him off third.“My guys got the first win in the school’s history today,” Reinebold wrote in a Saturday email. “Every one of them contributed towards the victory, and I am proud of the way they hang in there, dig in their heels and play hard.” According to Reinebold, freshman Ryan Mantell became the first Dragon ever to record a pitching victory. He worked two-thirds of an inning in relief of Yerkes, allowing four runs on two hits. Mantell, who also singled and tripled, struck out two and walked four.The victory allowed Alconbury to split its weekend series against the American Community Schools. ACS-Cobham downed Alconbury 9-2 in the Dragons’ other game.Mike Yerkes, who allowed four run and four hits in his four innings pitched, took the loss. Justin Thibodeau tripled and Chris Yerkes singled and doubled for Alconbury.Next up for the Dragons (1-9 overall) is a West Region doubleheader Friday at AFNORTH (0-6 overall and in the region).