Softball: Northern Lebanon Rallies in 7th to Steal Section Opener at Donegal

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Northern Lebanon Rallies in 7th to Steal Section Opener at Donegal

Northern Lebanon traveled to Donegal on Wednesday to face the Indians in a key Section 3 matchup, serving as the opening game in the league schedule. The Vikings entered with a 3-1 record and looked to keep things moving in the right direction under the bright sun of the first day of April. They did just that, coming from behind with 2 runs in the top of the 7th to pull out a 2-1 victory.

For much of the afternoon, runs were hard to come by as both teams got strong work in the circle. Addison Hollenbachmatched Donegal pitch for pitch, keeping the Vikings within striking distance while Northern Lebanon tried to find a breakthrough at the plate.

Donegal finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the 6th when Jordin Meyers launched a solo home run to center field, giving the Indians a 1-0 lead and putting the pressure squarely on the Vikings heading to the final inning.

Northern Lebanon answered immediately in the top of the 7th. Stephanie Palkovic started the rally with a single, and the Vikings kept the inning alive long enough for Hollenbach to come through with the biggest swing of the game, lining a run-scoring single that pushed Northern Lebanon in front 2-1. After being held in check most of the day, the Vikings found the exact response they needed in the biggest moment.

That late rally backed a strong complete-game effort from Hollenbach, who went all 7 innings and allowed just 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 4 and walking 3. Northern Lebanon also played a clean game defensively behind her, turning a double play and not committing an error. Keira Palski led the way in the field with 5 chances. This total team effort held a Donegal game to just one run after they had averaged 10 runs in their previous three games.

At the plate, Palkovic and Ryleigh Hopkins were a force together in the lineup, each collecting 2 hits. Palkovic and Hollenbach also accounted for the Vikings’ 2 RBI in the comeback win.

Donegal got a strong outing from Meyers, who kept Northern Lebanon off balance for 6.2 innings while striking out 7. Meyers also led the Indians offensively by going 2-for-3 with the team’s lone RBI, while Mia Gehman also collected 2 hits. Donegal was clean in the field as well and did not commit an error.

Northern Lebanon, now 4-1, will travel to Upper Dauphin on Thursday for the second time this season, after the first meeting was suspended in the 2nd inning due to rain.

Northern Lebanon 2, Donegal 1

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Ryleigh Hopkins: 2-4, R
Stephanie Palkovic: 2-3, RBI, BB
Addison Hollenbach: 1-3, R, RBI
Alyssa Shirey: 1-3, 2B
Mackenzie West: 1-3
Keira Palski: 1-3, R
Addison Kubica: 0-3
Sophia Roye: 0-3
Mykenah Johnson: 0-3

Northern Lebanon Pitching
Addison Hollenbach: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

Donegal Leaders

Jordin Meyers: 2-3, R, RBI, HR
Mia Gehman: 2-3, 2B
Adoree Gardner: 2 BB
Samyah Deleon: BB

Donegal Pitching
Jordin Meyers: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Last Game: Northern Lebanon Rolls Past Muhlenberg Behind 24-Hit Attack