Softball: Raiders Stay Red-Hot in 3-Inning Rout of Octorara

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Raiders Stay Red-Hot in 3-Inning Rout of Octorara

ELCO entered Tuesday’s home game against Octorara riding a 3-game winning streak. Once the game began, the Raiders showed that their bats were as hot as the 80-degree weather that blanketed Central Pennsylvania on the final day of March. In a game that lasted just 3 innings, ELCO erupted for a 25-2 victory.

The Raiders wasted little time taking control in the bottom of the 1st. Chloe Shirk got the fireworks started with a 2-run homer to center, Justine Geyer followed with a solo shot to center, Layla Werner tripled in a run, and ELCO later added another on a steal of home to grab a 5-0 lead.

Then came a 2nd inning outburst that completely blew the game open.

ELCO poured across 20 runs in the bottom of the 2nd, turning the afternoon into a runaway. Shirk launched a 3-run homer to center early in the inning, Werner crushed a grand slam to left, Makayla Noll singled in a run, Kylie Cruzbelted a 2-run homer to center, and Shirk added another blast with a solo shot to left. Emma Fisher also drew a bases-loaded walk, Werner added another RBI via walk, Noll doubled home 2 more, an error brought in another run, and Geyer capped the avalanche with a grand slam to left.

By the time the inning was over, the Raiders had turned a strong start into a complete offensive eruption.

Shirk finished with a monster day, hitting 3 home runs and driving in 6 runs. Geyer matched her with 3 hits and 5 RBI, while the two hitters batting back-to-back created constant pressure throughout the lineup. Werner had another huge day with 5 RBI, while Noll added multiple hits and reached base repeatedly. ELCO finished with 14 hits, drew 9 walks, and did not commit an error in the field.

In the circle, Kenzie Deeks earned the win by working all 3 innings. She allowed 4 hits and 2 runs while striking out 6 and walking 1. Behind her, the Raiders played a clean defensive game, with Cruz handling a team-high 6 chances.

Octorara got one-hit efforts from Leyahna Stafford, Julianna Wood, Clarissa Ross, and Destinee Walton. Staffordand Wood each drove in a run for the Braves.

ELCO is now 7-1 and will travel to Cocalico on Wednesday.

ELCO 25, Ephrata 2

ELCO Leaders

Chloe Shirk: 3-4, 4 R, 6 RBI, 2 HR
Justine Geyer: 3-3, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2B, HR
Layla Werner: 2-3, 3 R, 5 RBI, 3B, HR
Makayla Noll: 2-2, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 BB
Kylie Cruz: 1-1, R, RBI, 2 BB, HR
Emma Fisher: 1-1, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB
Cheyenne Wolfe: 2 R
Kenzie Deeks: 1-2, RBI
Mallorie Bossler: 1-1, 3 R
Natalia Johnson: 1-1, R

ELCO Pitching
Kenzie Deeks: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Octorara Leaders

Julianna Wood: 1-2, R, RBI, 3B, E
Leyahna Stafford: 1-1, RBI, BB, 3B
Presley Lazos: 1-2, R
Clarissa Ross: 1-1, R, 3B
Destinee Walton: 1-1, RBI, 3B

Octorara Pitching
Destinee Walton: 2.0 IP, 14 H, 25 R, 20 ER, 9 BB, 2 K

Last Game: ELCO Uses Massive 5th Inning to Put Away Lebanon