Softball: On Senior Night, Northern Lebanon Uses Big 3rd Inning to Defeat ELCO

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On Senior Night, Northern Lebanon Uses Big 3rd Inning to Defeat ELCO

In Wednesday’s heat, ELCO traveled to neighboring Northern Lebanon for a Section 3 matchup. For the Vikings, the contest also doubled as Senior Night for a veteran group with hopes of making a deep postseason run. The Raiders were also looking for a bit of revenge after Northern Lebanon ended their season in Districts last spring. In the end, the Vikings came away with an 11-1 win in five innings, though not before ELCO landed the first punch and forced the hosts to respond.

ELCO grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st when Chloe Shirk blasted a solo home run to left field. The Raiders showed early that they were capable of creating problems, but Northern Lebanon answered in the bottom half when Addison Hollenbach grounded out to bring home the tying run.

The decisive moment came in the 3rd. Northern Lebanon put together a seven-run inning to break the game open, using a mix of timely pressure and capitalizing on opportunities. The Vikings scored seven runs on three hits in the frame, with the biggest swing of momentum coming on an error that brought home two runs and helped turn a close game into an 8-1 advantage.

From there, Hollenbach took control in the circle. She allowed just two hits and one run over 5.0 innings, did not walk a batter, and struck out 13. At the plate, Hollenbach and Ryleigh Hopkins each collected two hits, while Alyssa Shirey, Hopkins, and Keira Palski each drove in two runs. Northern Lebanon finished with 10 hits and played a clean defensive game, with Mykenah Johnson recording 13 chances.

ELCO had its own positives despite the loss. Shirk and Kylie Cruz each collected a hit, with Shirk’s solo homer adding to her school record and providing the Raiders’ biggest offensive highlight. ELCO also showed patience and battled through a difficult stretch against one of the county’s top teams, even as Northern Lebanon seized control with its big inning.

Northern Lebanon, now 9-2, will travel to Hershey on Friday. ELCO, 8-5, will look to get back on track Monday when it hosts Cocalico.

Northern Lebanon 11, ELCO 1

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Addison Hollenbach: 2-4, 2 R, RBI
Ryleigh Hopkins: 2-4, R, 2 RBI
Alyssa Shirey: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B
Keira Palski: 1-3, R, 2 RBI
Sophia Roye: 2-2, 2 R, RBI
Addison Kubica: 1-4, 2 R, RBI

Pitching
Addison Hollenbach (W): 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 13 K

ELCO Leaders

Chloe Shirk: 1-2, R, RBI, HR
Kylie Cruz: 1-2
Makayla Noll: 0-2
Layla Werner: 0-2

Pitching
Makayla Noll: 4.2 IP, 10 H, 11 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K