Softball: Shirk, Raiders Break Skid with Big Win Over Cocalico

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Shirk, Raiders Break Skid with 12-1 Win Over Cocalico

After opening the season 8-1, ELCO hit a rough patch with four straight losses. On Monday, the Raiders got the response they needed.

Behind a huge day from Chloe Shirk and a strong outing in the circle from Kenzie Deeks, ELCO rolled past Cocalico, 12-1, in five innings. The Raiders improved to 9-5 with the win and will try to keep that momentum going Wednesday with a road trip to Donegal.

ELCO wasted little time getting started in the bottom of the 1st. A Cocalico error brought home the game’s first run, Layla Werner followed with an RBI single to center, and Deeks added a run-scoring groundout to make it 3-0.

The Raiders kept building in the 2nd. Shirk lined an RBI single and Justine Geyer added another run-scoring hit as ELCO stretched the lead to 5-0.

An RBI groundout by Abigail Ruth pushed the advantage to 6-0 in the 3rd, and the Raiders never let up. ELCO kept pressure on Cocalico throughout the afternoon before Shirk delivered the biggest swing of the day in the 5th, blasting a two-run home run to left field as part of the Raiders’ finishing push.

Deeks took care of the rest in the circle. The right-hander allowed 3 hits and 1 run over 5 innings, striking out 8 and walking none. ELCO also backed her with clean enough defense and turned a double play behind her.

At the plate, Shirk starred from start to finish, going 4-for-4 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI, including the home run. Kylie Cruz added a 2-for-4 day with 2 runs scored, while Werner also had 2 hits and drove in a run. Geyer finished with a hit, a run scored, and an RBI, and ELCO totaled 10 hits in the win.

Cocalico was led by Sydney Leasure, who went 2-for-2 from the leadoff spot and scored the Eagles’ lone run. Kara Yeager drove in Cocalico’s only run, while Macy Welker took the loss in the circle.

ELCO (9-5) will be back in action Wednesday with a road trip to Donegal.

ELCO 12, Cocalico 1

ELCO Leaders

Chloe Shirk: 4-4, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR
Kylie Cruz: 2-4, 2 R, 2B
Layla Werner: 2-3, R, RBI
Justine Geyer: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, 3B
Mallorie Bossler: 1-3, RBI
Kenzie Deeks: RBI, BB
Makayla Noll: R, SB
Vanessa Szerba: R, BB

Pitching
Kenzie Deeks (W): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

Cocalico Leaders

Sydney Leasure: 2-2, R, 2B
Sophia Weaver: 1-2, 3B
Kara Yeager: RBI

Pitching
Macy Welker (L): 4.1 IP, 10 H, 12 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K