The Solanco softball team is turning its attention to the district tournament following a loss in the first round of the Lancaster-Lebanon League Tournament Saturday. The Mules fell 5-4 to Pequea Valley. Pequea Valley scored the go-ahead run in the fifth after the Mules had battled back from a three-run deficit to tie it. Down 4-1, Abby Heidelbaugh ignited the Solanco rally with a single and Kerri Mauger had a bunt hit. The runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Parmer. Sam Graver delivered a two-run double to left center, advanced to third on a throw, and scored on a grounder to second by Cait Armstrong. "Sam Graver and Cait Armstrong had very productive, timely hits," coach Brett Miller said. "We had other opportunities to plate more runs but didn't capitalize."
Solanco scored its other run in the third. Mauger singled to left and went to third on a Parmer sac bunt and an error. Mauger was able to tag and score on a Graver fly ball to shallow right. "In the playoffs, everything is magnified," Miller said. “[We] need to perform at a higher level of play and we must give teams only three outs an inning to remain competitive, especially in the playoffs." Kortnee Kreider pitched for the Mules. "Kortnee had good velocity," Miller said. "Her pitch sharpness and movement was a challenge. She battled through." Elizabethtown clinched the section title with a 7-2 triumph over the Mules last Wednesday. "We had enough opportunities to win the game but didn't get the productive, timely hit," said Miller. "Giving a good team more than three outs in an inning usually makes it difficult to remain competitive in the game." Kreider allowed 11 hits and three walks while fanning five. "We were searching for the strike zone a good part of the game," said Miller. "That makes it challenging for pitchers and players alike." The Mules scored a run in both the third in fourth innings. Graver led off the third with a triple and scored on an Armstrong fielder's choice. In the fourth, Mauger singled with one out, Parmer reached on an error, and Mauger scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Graver. The Mules downed Cocalico 6-0. "We got the result we needed with some timely and productive hitting," said Miller. Graver was 3 for 4 with a triple. Kreider struck out five and gave up three hits and two walks. "Kortnee improved throughout the game with good velocity and control," Miller said. The Mules went on top in the fourth. Brittany Fisher had a one-out hit and Kreider singled to put runners on the corner. Courtesy runner Emma Kreider stole second and Madi Sheaffer singled to knock in two. Mauger and Parmer led off the fifth with bunt singles and Graver followed with an infield single. Armstrong's bases-loaded fielder's choice plated Mauger. Parmer singled with one out in the seventh and scored on a Graver triple. Armstrong singled to score Graver. Morgan Hodson came on to run and was thrown out at third on a Maribeth Ault double down the left field line but Fisher singled to score Ault. The win over Cocalico enabled the Mules to force a one-game playoff for the section title as they also beaten Elizabethtown. After the consecutive losses to E-town and Pequea Valley, Solanco is focusing on the district tournament. "We look forward to move ahead and prepare for district play (which begins Tuesday, May 20)," Miller said. "We will have the opportunity to practice and prepare. The first game will come down to the entire team performing at district level of play and intensity." Comments are closed.
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