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Softball Wins Leagues, Lax Falls in Districts

BY MONA STEINHAUER

The Comets had a couple of postseason games last week with the softball team winning the Lancaster-Lebanon League championships one day before the boys’ lacrosse team suffered a district semifinal loss on the road.

SOFTBALL

Next year, when the Comets look back and talk about their season, they won’t remember that 2-1, eight inning loss to Lampeter-Strasburg in the rain. After all, they rebounded with a dominating 11-1, six inning victory over L-S in the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships held at Millersville University on May 19, ending the two-time defending league champs rein.

“This is the happiest I’ve ever been with a group of kids,” said head coach Dave Stokes. “They came ready to win and I don’t think anyone expected us to do that against such an accomplished pitcher (Keiva Middleton).”

In that eight-inning game that will soon be forgotten, Middleton held the Comets to two hits while striking out 16. This time around it was Julie Bowmaster that did the holding. The freshman held L-S to one run on four hits and the Comets, as a team, pounded out 14 hits as they collected their second L-L title overall, the first coming in 2017.

“We focused on being confident with the bat,” said Stokes. “And we got contributions up and down the lineup. I remember saying recently, after just one of our players had a big game, ‘wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was on at the same time.’ This had to be close. I was happy to get a decisive victory.”

The Comets got off to a quick start and never looked back. Jordan Bailey crushed a ball to right field that glanced off Chloe Meck’s glove. Amelia Trout (courtesy runner) scored on a wild pitch and Paterson doubled to right. Maddie Mitchell’s shot eluded a diving Julia Gerard in center field, scoring Paterson and Soboleski’s base hit plated Mitchell. Bowmaster stepped up for a single and Bria Booth’s hit made it 4-0.

L-S went three up, three down and the Comets responded with a three-spot in the second inning. Bailey (2-3) walked, Emily Riggs (2-4, 2 RBI) doubled in courtesy runner Trout (3 runs scored) and Paterson (3-4, 3RBI) launched a shot in deep right that glanced off Meck’s glove and over the fence for a two-run homer.

“That was a tough catch to make,” said Stokes.

L-S again went 1-2-3 in the third and the Comets reloaded in the bottom half, plating two more runs courtesy of Kira Green’s line drive over the left field fence.

Bowmaster gave up her first hit of the game, a one out single to Ally Raub in the fourth.

“Julie’s pitch counts are just unbelievable,” said Stokes. “She’s Jill Kushlan (Solanco) effective. She holds L-S, who pounded Warwick’s pitcher Tuesday, to nine batters over three innings. Her focus has been incredible.”

Middleton popped out after Raub’s base hit and Brooke Zuber followed with a single before a ground out kept the score at 9-0.

The Comets put the mercy rule in effect in the top of the sixth. Riggs singled in Green (2-4, 2RBI), who reached on a base hit, and Paterson’s infield single pushed in Trout. The Comets left the bases loaded.

Maura Savoca opened with a base hit and with one out, Raub doubled her in, ending Bowmaster’s (2k, 1w) shutout.

“Julie hasn’t pitched a full seven innings yet,” said Stokes. “She’s pitched into the fifth inning numerous times, but this was the first time she’s finished a game past five innings. We typically bring in Riggs to finish. I didn’t have to do that this time.

“This group is just playing well together.”

LACROSSE

After getting past No. 7 Red Lion 10-9 in the opening round of the District Three 3A tournament, the Comets traveled to No. 2 Central York (18-1) Friday, May 20 but could not pull off a second upset, bowing out 15-4. The Comets were without starter Dylan Keene who suffered a season-ending injury in the last 30 seconds of the Red Lion game.

“It was certainly costly to lose a starter for a game like this,” said head coach Connor Rowe. “Central York has a heck of a team, and it showed the level that we need to work toward this off season.”

The Comets found themselves down four at the half but couldn’t regroup.

“We couldn’t find that shift of momentum or spark play in the second half,” said Rowe. “I’m extremely proud of this group of seniors. They are a terrific reflection of the Penn Manor community and I’m grateful to be their coach.

“This is two years in a row that we found ourselves in the district quarterfinals and expectations continue to rise,” he added. “We are excited and motivated to get back to work this off-season. That brand new weight room at the high school will be getting lots of reps.”

Last year the Comets finished third in the district as the No. 2 seed. They beat Conrad-Weiser, lost to No. 6 Susquehannock, and beat Hershey 11-10 in overtime. For their efforts this year, the following were recognized as L-L League all-stars: Erik Hinkle (faceoff specialist), Eli Warfel (shortstick defensive mid) and Connor Brumbaugh (defense) were first team selections while Isaac Nafziger, Adam Hollinger and goalie Nick Hollinger were voted as second team all-stars. Mike Evans was an academic all-star and McCabe Kreider was a Class Act award winner.

DISTRICT TRACK

Penn Manor’s Jaryd Kleinhaus represented the Comets at the District Three Track and Field Championships well. He turned in a silver medal effort in the shot put with a state qualifying throw of 49-11.25, following Cumberland Valley’s Wade Shomper (61-7.25) and was Manor’s only medal winner.

“Jaryd’s best throw this year is a 51-04,” said head coach Robert Koenig. “He did not place last year.”

Also competing was Jael CruzSantos, 14th in the discus, Gertrude Moenga, 17th in the shot put, Kaleb Kabakjian, 20th in the 3200, and Leo Medvedkin in the pole vault.

photo by Mona Steinhauer

Comet seniors Erin Stevens, Emily Riggs and Audrey Paterson pose with the L-L League Championship trophy after the Comets handed Lampeter-Strasburg an 11-1 loss Thursday, May 19 at Millersville University.

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