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LebCo Baseball Season Outlook: 2026
Smith Fans 11 as ELCO Tops Cocalico in Section Opener
After returning to the win column on Monday, ELCO hosted Cocalico on Wednesday to open Section 3 play. The game also gave the Raiders a chance to climb back to .500 after a rough stretch last week had dropped them to 1-3. Behind a strong outing from senior ace Austin Smith and a big middle-inning surge, ELCO did exactly that, knocking off the Eagles 9-4.
With Smith on the mound, the Raiders knew they had a chance. In his two previous starts this season, the senior right-hander had already looked sharp, including an 8.1-inning outing against Northern Lebanon in which he allowed just 1 run but took a no-decision. On Wednesday, Smith was once again in command, this time turning it into his 2nd win of the season.
Cocalico grabbed the early lead in the top of the 1st when an ELCO error allowed a run to score, but the Raiders settled in and eventually answered. In the bottom of the 3rd, Wyatt Parker helped produce the tying run on a fielder’s choice, and Queston Rivera followed with an RBI single to center to push ELCO in front 2-1.
The Raiders then broke things open in the bottom of the 4th. ELCO scored 6 runs in the inning despite recording only 2 hits, taking advantage of walks, productive outs, and a string of Cocalico miscues. Braden Gettle drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run, two separate errors brought home 3 more, and Zach Martin added another run with a groundout as the Raiders built an 8-1 cushion.
That support was more than enough for Smith, who struck out 11 over 6 strong innings. Smith allowed just 3 hits and 2 runs while walking 3, continuing what has been a strong start to the season for ELCO’s senior ace.
At the plate, Tyce Boyer and Rivera each collected 2 hits to lead the Raiders’ 9-hit attack. Martin, Rivera, Isaac Tanger, and Brinley Donmoyer each drove in a run, while ELCO kept pressure on throughout the night with aggressive baserunning and constant traffic.
Cocalico got hits from Andrew Porter, Logan Horning, Noah Zimmerman, and Owen Hoffert. Ian Showalter, Jaxon Keffer, and Horning each drove in a run for the Eagles. Aidan Davis took the loss after working 3.1 innings, and Owen Halpin handled the final inning in relief for ELCO.
ELCO, now 3-3, will be off until Monday, when the Raiders travel to Donegal.
ELCO 9, Cocalico 4
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocalico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| ELCO | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | X | 9 | 9 | 4 |
ELCO Leaders
Tyce Boyer: 2-3, R, 2B, 3B, BB
Austin Smith: 1-4, 2B
Braden Gettle: 1-2, R, RBI, 2B, BB
Isaac Tanger: 1-4, RBI
Zach Martin: 1-3, RBI, 3B
Brinley Donmoyer: 1-1, RBI
Queston Rivera: 2-4, RBI, 2 3B
Grant Wenger: 1-3, R, RBI, 2B
Wyatt Parker: 2 R
ELCO Pitching
Austin Smith: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K
Owen Halpin: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Cocalico Leaders
Logan Horning: 1-4, R, RBI, 2B, SB
Jaxon Keffer: 1-2, RBI, HBP, SF
Andrew Porter: 1-1, R, 2B
Owen Hoffert: 1-3, 2B
Ian Showalter: RBI, HBP
Cocalico Pitching
Aidan Davis: 3.1 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Colten Stoltzfus: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Logan Horning: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Last Game: ELCO Snaps Skid with Home Win Over Lebanon
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