Softball: Northern Lebanon Drops Tight 7-6 Contest at Lancaster Catholic

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Northern Lebanon Drops Tight 7-6 Contest at Lancaster Catholic

Lancaster Catholic slipped past visiting Northern Lebanon 7-6 on Monday in a back-and-forth softball game that featured multiple lead changes and late drama.

Northern Lebanon wasted little time getting on the board, pushing across two runs in the top of the first to grab the early advantage. Lancaster Catholic answered in the bottom half of the inning, matching the Vikings with two runs of its own to quickly even the score at 2-2.

The Vikings moved back in front in the fourth. Northern Lebanon plated two runs in the inning to build a 4-2 lead, with Addison Kubica driving in two runs and helping the visitors regain control. Northern Lebanon continued to apply pressure throughout the game, getting hits from Ryleigh Hopkins, Stephanie Palkovic, Addison Hollenbach, Alyssa Shirey, and Sophia Roye.

Lancaster Catholic responded again in the fifth, this time pulling even behind a big swing from Kailee Detz. Her inside-the-park home run helped the Crusaders erase the deficit and tie the game at 4-4 heading into the late innings.

Northern Lebanon answered once more in the sixth. The Vikings scratched across a run to move back in front 5-4, but Lancaster Catholic delivered the game’s decisive response in the bottom of the inning. The Crusaders scored three times in the frame to swing the momentum and take a 7-5 lead into the seventh.

Northern Lebanon made one final push in its last at-bat. Hopkins came through with an inside-the-park home run in the seventh, cutting the deficit to one and giving the Vikings a chance. But Lancaster Catholic was able to finish the game from there and hold on for the 7-6 win.

Hopkins led Northern Lebanon offensively by going 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, an RBI, and the home run. Palkovic also had a strong day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, triple, and a run scored. Hollenbach added a hit and an RBI, while Shirey contributed a hit, a run scored, and an RBI. Kubica finished with 2 RBI.

In the circle, Hollenbach worked all 6 innings for Northern Lebanon, striking out 9.

For Lancaster Catholic, Detz paced the offense by going 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, an RBI, and the inside-the-park homer. Gabby Bigler went 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI, and a triple, while Caroline Hoff drove in 2 runs. Ava Pisano added a hit, a run, and an RBI, and Angelina Calhoun scored twice.

Northern Lebanon is now 1-1 and will host Manheim Township on Wednesday.

Lancaster Catholic 7, Northern Lebanon 6

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Ryleigh Hopkins: 2-4, 2 runs, RBI, HR
Stephanie Palkovic: 2-3, run, 2B, 3B
Addison Hollenbach: 1-4, run, RBI
Alyssa Shirey: 1-3, run, RBI
Addison Kubica: 2 RBI

Pitching
Addison Hollenbach: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 9 K

Lancaster Catholic Leaders

Kailee Detz: 2-4, 2 runs, RBI, HR
Gabby Bigler: 2-3, run, RBI, 3B
Caroline Hoff: 1-4, 2 RBI
Ava Pisano: 1-3, run, RBI, BB
Angelina Calhoun: 1-3, 2 runs, BB

Pitching
Kailee Detz: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K