Softball: Shirk Breaks RBI Record as ELCO Outslugs Conestoga Valley

If you like this type of coverage, please let us know by Following us on social media: Twitter/X – @lebcosports1 and Facebook.

For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.

Shirk Breaks RBI Record as ELCO Outslugs Conestoga Valley

After suffering its first loss of the season on Wednesday to West York, ELCO returned home Thursday looking to secure its 4th win of the young season. Standing in the Raiders’ way was a 2-0 Conestoga Valley squad that had already piled up 34 runs over its first two games, and the Buckskins again showed plenty of offensive firepower before ELCO answered with enough offense of its own in a 16-12 victory in Myerstown.

Chloe Shirk turned in a monster performance at the plate and etched her name deeper into the program record book in the process. The senior went 3-3 with 3 runs scored, 7 RBI, 2 home runs, 2 walks, and a double, delivering the biggest swings in a game full of offense and helping power ELCO back into the win column.

Conestoga Valley got on the board first in the top of the 1st. Ava Smith brought home one run with a sacrifice fly, and Sophia Mallios followed with a triple down the right field line that plated another to give the Buckskins an early 2-0 lead.

ELCO answered immediately in the bottom half. After falling behind by a pair, the Raiders jumped in front when Shirklaunched a 3-run homer to center, giving ELCO a 3-2 advantage.

The Buckskins came right back in the top of the 2nd, erupting for 5 runs on 6 hits to reclaim the lead at 7-3. Bianca Henry delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a 2-run single as Conestoga Valley continued to apply pressure.

But the Raiders answered again in the bottom of the 2nd, this time putting up 5 runs on 4 hits to move back in front, 8-7. Shirk did the damage once more, crushing a 3-run homer to left on the seventh pitch of the at-bat.

Conestoga Valley tied the game in the top of the 3rd when Henry grounded out to bring home a run, making it 8-8. In the top of the 4th, the Buckskins surged back in front and appeared to seize control. Mallios tripled home 2 runs, Lily Reedyadded an RBI single, and Smith followed with another run-scoring hit as Conestoga Valley built a 12-8 lead.

ELCO chipped away in the bottom of the 5th and eventually pulled even. Shirk delivered an RBI double, and Justine Geyer followed with a run-scoring single to knot the score at 12-12.

The Raiders finally broke the tie for good in the bottom of the 6th. Vanessa Szerba singled home the go-ahead run, and Makayla Noll followed with a home run to left that stretched ELCO’s lead to 16-12.

Both lineups were productive throughout the afternoon, with ELCO collecting 19 hits and Conestoga Valley finishing with 18. Kylie Cruz paced the Raiders with 4 hits, while Noll, Layla Werner, Szerba, and Geyer all added multi-hit efforts. ELCO also stole 4 bases in the win.

For the Buckskins, Smith and Julia Rhoads each had 4 hits, while Henry and Mallios added 2 apiece. Mallios drove in 3 runs, Smith knocked in 4, and Conestoga Valley turned 2 double plays while also playing a clean game defensively without an error.

And as if her huge offensive day was not enough, Shirk also made history. With her 7-RBI performance, Shirk broke ELCO softball’s all-time career RBI record, surpassing the previous mark of 95. In a game packed with offense, that milestone became the headline moment, as the senior not only helped lift the Raiders to a bounce-back win but also added another major achievement to her standout career. Through just the early part of this spring, Shirk has already blasted 5 home runs.

Kenzie Deeks earned the win for ELCO after going the distance. She allowed 18 hits and 12 runs, 11 earned, over 7 innings while striking out 4 and walking 1. Rhoads took the loss for Conestoga Valley after allowing 16 runs on 19 hits in 6 innings.

ELCO, now 4-1, will be back in action on Friday with a road trip to Ephrata.

ELCO 16, Conestoga Valley 12

ELCO Leaders

Chloe Shirk: 3-3, 3 runs, 7 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB, 2B
Kylie Cruz: 4-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 2B
Justine Geyer: 3-5, 2 RBI, SB
Makayla Noll: 2-3, 4 runs, RBI, HR, HBP, SB
Layla Werner: 3-4, 2 runs, SB
Vanessa Szerba: 2-4, 2 runs, RBI, SB

Pitching
Kenzie Deeks: 7.0 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Conestoga Valley Leaders

Ava Smith: 5-5, 3 runs, 4 RBI, 2 SB
Julia Rhoads: 4-5, 2 runs, RBI, 2B
Laila Smith: 3-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 2B
Bianca Henry: 2-5, run, 2 RBI, 2B
Sophia Mallios: 2-3, run, 3 RBI, BB, 2 3B

Pitching
Julia Rhoads: 6.0 IP, 19 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 3 BB, 3 K