Baseball: Parker Leads ELCO Past West York as Raiders Push Win Streak to Four

With a victory earlier in the week over Conestoga Valley followed by an upset of Manheim Central, ELCO returned home Saturday to face West York with a chance to further strengthen its postseason push.

On Military Appreciation Day, the Raiders honored the occasion by putting together a disciplined all-around effort, forming a blockade on the West York offense behind Wyatt Parker before launching enough of an offensive operation to secure a 9-2 victory.

ELCO jumped in front in the bottom of the 1st, using two run-scoring singles to build an early 3-0 lead. Owen Halpinsingled in a run, and Braden Gettle followed by driving in two more, giving the Raiders immediate control.

After West York cut into the lead with two runs in the 3rd, ELCO answered in the bottom half. Isaac Tanger grounded out to bring in one run, and another run scored on a West York error as the Raiders pushed the lead back to 5-2.

From there, Parker kept West York from building any sustained threat. The right-hander earned the win after allowing just one hit and two runs, both unearned, over 6.2 innings. Parker struck out six and walked three before Gettle recorded the final out to close out the win. Parker is now 4-1 this season.

ELCO collected 12 hits in the victory, with Queston Rivera leading the way by going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Parker added two hits, while Tanger drove in three runs from the bottom of the lineup. Gettle reached base four times with a hit, two RBI, and three walks.

For West York, Kolby Sechrist had the lone hit and scored one of the Bulldogs’ two runs.

ELCO (10-8) has now won four straight. With two games remaining, the Raiders will look to keep riding that momentum, beginning Monday at Octorara before finishing the regular season Thursday at Annville-Cleona.

ELCO 9, West York 2