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L-S Wins State Opener; Lax Falls in Semifinal

BY MONA STEINHAUER

After a tough 7-5 loss to Twin Valley in the quarterfinals of the District Three 5A championships, the softball team needed two wins to qualify for the PIAA championships. They did just that, topping Northeastern in the consi-semis and Mechanicsburg Thursday, June 2, to finish as the fifth seed out of District Three.

Last Monday in Westtown, the Pioneers used an eight-run outburst in the second inning and pushed their way past West Chester Rustin (21-3), 12-7 in the opening round game of the PIAA Class 5A softball tournament at Rustin High School. Brooke Zuber, who went 3-4 with three home runs and four RBIs, paced the attack.

After starting pitcher Emily Gillis struck out the side in the top half of the opening inning, Rustin plated a pair of runs in the bottom half for the early lead. A walk, a pair of base hits and a two-out double gave the Knights a 2-0 lead.

L-S came alive in the top of the second, batting around in the inning and scoring eight runs on six hits, including a pair of homers by Zuber, who opened the frame with a solo round tripper. The Pioneers loaded the bags and then, with two outs, Julia Gerard singled in two runs, Ally Raub doubled in one and Keiva Middleton’s base hit pushed in two more. Zuber, who entered the game with six homers on the year, followed with her second homer, a two-run blast. A pop up ended the inning.

“We hit all the way through our lineup,” said head coach Earl Rutledge. “I don’t think Rustin expected that.”

WCR cut the lead in half, 8-4, with two base hits, a two-run triple and a two run double and neither team threatened again until the sixth. Julia Gerard doubled with one out, Ally Raub (2-5, two runs scored, 1 RBI) singled and both scampered home on Middleton’s round tripper. Zuber followed with a solo shot.

Rustin went three up, three down in the sixth but rallied for a two-spot in the seventh to close the gap.

L-S pounded out 14 hits in all and Middleton fanned eight batters, walked one and gave up one home run.

“The difference in our game was that Keiva was the better pitcher and that we played great defense,” Rutledge said.

The Pioneers clinched the fifth seed out of District Three with a 3-2 thriller over Mechanicsburg on Thursday, June 2. Middleton surrendered two runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out ten and walking one.

L-S scored all of its runs in the third inning. Mackenzie Maki reached on a one out error and advanced when Maura Savoca’s grounder was misplayed at second. Then, with two outs, Raub’s double to center pushed in two runs while Middleton’s base hit plated the third.

Mechanicsburg got one back in the fifth on a pair of two out singles and scored again in the sixth with a lead-off homer.

Both teams combined for 11 hits and five errors.

Middleton and Chloe Meck (2 RBI) were both 2-3. Raub and Zuber were both 1-3 with Raub picking up two RBIs.

BOYS’ LACROSSE

One year ago, L-S made its debut performance in the PIAA championships. This year they not only won one game but advanced to the PIAA Class 2A semifinals on a rainy Tuesday, June 7, where they suffered a 14-7 loss to Marple Newton at Exeter Township High School. The Tigers achieved program firsts in winning the District One crown and in appearing in the state playoffs. They were coming off a win over previously undefeated Allentown Central Catholic.

“We knew going in that they were very talented on both sides of the ball and well coached,” said head coach Mike McConomy. “I thought we did a great job on their top player, but we got beat off the ball anytime he drew a slide. They did a great job adjusting to our defense and limiting our offense.”

That top player was freshman Brian Box, who scored the first two goals and finished with four. His brother, senior Charlie Box, a Cornell recruit, had two goals and two assists and made it 3-0 by the 1:33 mark of the first quarter. But for the first eight minutes, the game was scoreless.

Stewart McClain’s goal with 8:19 left in the first quarter made it 5-1. But the Tigers rallied after that, pouring in four straight goals, including one by Brain Box, that pushed the lead to 9-1.

L-S actually outscored MN 6-5 in the second half but never got the lead below seven goals.

Photo by Connor Hollinger

L-S pitcher Keiva Middleton throws to first for the out after fielding a Mechanicsburg bunt in the Pioneers’ 3-2 district-playoff victory at L-S on June 2.

See Sports pg 9

Photo by Connor Hollinger

Pioneer first baseman Kara Scranton fields a Mechanicsburg ground ball in L-S’ 3-2, District Three playoff win at home on June 2.

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Photo by Connor Hollinger

Chloe Meck runs down a Mechanicsburg fly ball for the Pioneers during their 3-2 victory in the District-Three fifthplace game at L-S on June 2.

The Tigers won the faceoff battle, 18-7. The Section Two champ Pioneers, finishing the season at 20-4, fell behind 3627 in shots on goal. Bryce Thomas recorded 11 saves.

McClain (4 goals) and Colin Sullivan (1 goal, 3 assists) led the Pioneers. Barrett Denlinger added one goal and one assist and Jack Groff scored once.

As for the season, “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” said McConomy. “Last year we appeared in the state playoffs and this year we reached the state semifinals. For our guys to continue to progress means a lot and tells me where the program is going. We brought back all but one guy from last year. This is a two-year run with these guys. We have seven seniors (Jackson Miller, Denlinger, Jack Filius, Carson Graver, McClain, Brayden Smith, Berkeley Wagner) graduating knowing they are leaving the program in a better place. They have set a great example for the younger guys. I hope to be back here.”

The Pioneers were coming off a second-round victory over District Two champ, Wyoming Seminary, on Saturday, June 4 at Emmaus High School.

L-S scored the game’s first two goals and never looked back. They led 8-2 at the half and took control with a 6-2 third quarter advantage that pushed the lead to 14-4.

McClain and Denlinger combined for 11 goals and four assists. Sullivan chipped in with three goals and three assists. Wagner (1g, 1a) and Filius (1a) also contributed to the scoring totals while Thomas added 11 saves.

“It was a complete team effort,” said McConomy. “We were able to find success on offense and win our matchups on defense based on what we prepared for all week. The defense applied hard pressure on them all game.

“The goal from the start of the season was to compete for a state championship,” he added. “This is where we hoped to be.”