by Bud Hart Solanco’s junior varsity softball team won three and lost one contested game this week and picked up a forfeit in a fifth. “We had a solid week as a team this week,” wrote head coach Chad McDowell. “We have been working on and stressing fundamentals through our games this week and I have seen those skills being applied in game situations.” On Friday, May 4, Solanco defeated the Ephrata Mountaineers 18-12. Kirsten O’Connell went the distance, picking up the win while scattering 11 hits and striking out six.
“In a highly contested game I thought we did many good things,” said McDowell. “We faced Ephrata’s second varsity pitcher and I thought our girls took a good approach at the plate and made solid contact.” Leading the way for the JV Mules was Kelsey Sheets who went four-for-five with two home runs and two singles, knocking in five runs. Noelle Schneider also had a good day at the plate. She went three-for-four with a home run, a double, and a single, driving in two runs and stealing two bases. O’Connell helped her own cause with three singles, two stolen bases, and a RBI. Rachel Witmer drove in two runs with a single and Sammi Taylor tripled to drive in two Mule runners. Megan McNutt singled, stole second and drove in one run. Scheduled to play Manheim Township at home on Thursday, May 3, the Mules learned the Blue Streaks could not field a JV team. The Mules dropped their one game of the week to Elizabethtown on Wednesday, May 2, when the Bears handed them a 17-4 loss. Schneider took the loss, giving up 11 hits while striking out three. “It’s always fun to play Elizabethtown,” wrote McDowell. “This year was their year and they had our number.” Sheets and Taylor led the Mules with two hits apiece in the contest. Taylor blasted a home run and added three RBIs. Sheets stole two bases and drove in a run during her two hit game. Others recording a hit were McNutt, Kayla McCauley, Paige Stoltzfus, and O’Connell. Solanco traveled to New Holland on Tuesday, May 1, and brought home a win, downing the Spartans, 16-5. O'Connell went the distance and picked up the win. She struck out four and gave up eight hits over seven innings. “This was a game where we got off to a slow start, allowing GS three runs in the first inning,” wrote McDowell. “We regrouped nicely and put together a solid game where we made the plays in the field and hit the ball at the plate.” Sheets again led the way with two singles, a triple, and home run, knocking in four runs for the Mules. Taylor singled twice and doubled, knocking in two runs and stealing a base. Schneider singled twice to knock in three runs. McNutt doubled twice driving in three, and Emily Goddard singled twice in the game. Both Stoltzfus and O’Connell singled. The Mules defeated Lebanon 20-2 on the Cedars home diamond on Monday, April 30. O'Connell picked up the win inside the circle. She struck out five and allowed only one hit in the three-inning game. “Kirsten had good control and pitched an efficient game,” noted McDowell. Sheets hit for the cycle with a single, double, triple and home run. On the week, Sheets went 14-for-17 for a .824 batting average. “She is seeing the ball really well right now and making solid contact,” said McDowell. O’Connell helped offensively, going three for three, including a grand slam. Her seven RBIs were more than enough to defeat the struggling Cedars. Stoltzfus singled twice, stole two bases, and knocked in two runs. McNutt went two for two with a double and triple. Also picking up a base hit were Alexus Ravert, Witmer, Tasha Cueto and McCauley, who also stole two bases. “We had a solid week as a team this week,” added McDowell. “We have been aggressive on the base paths. We are taking a good hitting approach at the plate, and we are making the plays in the field. I am proud of the growth from all our players. They are working hard.” Comments are closed.
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