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#1 Northern Lebanon 5, #5 ELCO 4
After Northern Lebanon defeated East Pennsboro and ELCO took down Middletown in the quarterfinals, a high-stakes matchup between LebCo’s two best softball teams was set for Thursday. However, the two LL Section 3 rivals had to wait an extra day, as the rainy season had once again descended upon Pennsylvania.
The Vikings had won both previous matchups against ELCO this season. With the first game ending in a close 3-2 contest, the third meeting promised to be a tight battle. This semifinal matchup carried even higher stakes—a ticket to the District 3 Championship and a berth in the State Playoffs—raising the intensity even further.
In the top of the 1st inning, Northern Lebanon’s starting pitcher, Addison Hollenbach, struck out the side. When the Vikings came to the plate in the bottom half, Hollenbach led off with a double off ELCO’s Gabby Smith. Two batters later, a Lynsie Mauser single and a fielding error allowed Hollenbach to score. Addison Kubica then singled before Stephanie Palkovic hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Mauser. Smith registered her second strikeout to end the inning, but Northern Lebanon carried a 2-0 lead into the 2nd.
In the top of the 2nd, Hollenbach once again struck out the side. The Vikings led off the bottom half with another double, this time from Mykenah Johnson. After a strikeout, a dropped third strike led to a passed ball, allowing Johnson to score and extend the lead to 3-0. Hollenbach then singled, but Smith ended the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.
In the 3rd, Hollenbach continued her dominance, recording three more strikeouts to bring her streak to nine consecutive Ks. Smith responded by retiring the Vikings in order with a pop-out and two strikeouts of her own.
In the 4th inning, the Raiders finally got something going offensively. Smith and Abby Hassler both reached on errors, with the second miscue allowing Smith to score. Smith then held Northern Lebanon scoreless in the bottom half to keep ELCO within striking distance.
Entering the 5th inning down 3-1, ELCO was again held scoreless by Hollenbach. In the bottom of the 5th, Hollenbach and Mauser singled before Kubica hit a sacrifice fly to score Hollenbach. Palkovic followed with an RBI single to plate Mauser, pushing the Vikings’ lead to 5-1.
But ELCO didn’t back down. In the top of the 6th, Smith led off with a solo home run. After two quick outs, Chloe Shirk blasted a second solo shot, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
After shutting down Northern Lebanon in the bottom of the 6th, ELCO had one final chance. With one out, Abby Ruthhit ELCO’s third solo homer, making it a 5-4 ballgame. Looking to mount a late rally, the Raiders forced a pitching change as Hollenbach handed the ball to Mauser. Mallory Bossler greeted Mauser with a single, but that would be all the damage ELCO could muster. Mauser retired the next two batters to seal the intense victory for Northern Lebanon.
Hollenbach pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) and striking out 12. At the plate, she went 3-for-4 with a double, 2 steals, and 2 runs scored. Mauser, who recorded the final two outs on the mound, was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored. Kubica had a hit and an RBI, while Palkovic contributed a hit and 2 RBI.
For ELCO, Smith pitched all 6 innings, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) and recording 11 strikeouts. She also went 1-for-4 at the plate with a home run, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Shirk (2-for-3, HR, RBI, R, SB) and Ruth (1-for-3, HR, RBI, R) also had strong performances. ELCO finishes its season with a 16-6 record.
Northern Lebanon (18-2) will play in Tuesday’s District 3 Championship game against Kennard-Dale. The game will take place at Millersville at 4:30 p.m.
Softball: ELCO & Northern Lebanon Victorious in District 3 Quarterfinals; Semifinal Clash On-Deck
