Softball: Vikings Ride Early Surge Past Penn Manor, Into LL Semifinals

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Vikings Ride Early Surge Past Penn Manor, Into LL Semifinals

Northern Lebanon stormed into the Lancaster-Lebanon League Playoffs as the Section 3 Champion, riding an eight-game winning streak and looking to carry that momentum into the postseason.

On Thursday, the Vikings did exactly that, jumping out early and holding off Penn Manor, Section 1’s runner-up, for a 5-2 win in the quarterfinal round.

Northern Lebanon wasted little time getting started in the bottom of the 1st. Addison Kubica lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the game’s first run, Alyssa Shirey followed with a single down the right-field line to score another, and Sophia Roye added a sacrifice fly to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead.

That early cushion gave Addison Hollenbach room to work in the circle. The right-hander went the distance for Northern Lebanon, allowing seven hits and two runs, only one earned, while striking out one and walking two across seven innings.

Penn Manor got one run back in the 3rd, but Northern Lebanon answered with two more in the 4th to stretch the lead to 5-1. The Comets threatened again in the 6th when Zuzu Hardy hit a solo home run to left field, but Hollenbach and the Vikings’ defense kept the damage there.

Northern Lebanon finished with nine hits and played clean behind Hollenbach, committing no errors. The Vikings also turned one double play, helping limit Penn Manor’s chances to extend innings.

At the plate, Mykenah Johnson led Northern Lebanon from the No. 7 spot in the order, going 2-3 with a run scored. Ryleigh Hopkins, Stephanie Palkovic, Hollenbach, Kubica, Shirey, Makenzie West, and Keira Palski each added hits for the Vikings.

For Penn Manor, Hardy drove in a run with her solo homer, while Mia Skiadas, Aly Weber, and Kam Maust each collected two hits.

Northern Lebanon improved to 18-3 with the win and will now await Friday’s winner between Solanco and Annville-Cleona. The Vikings will play the survivor Monday at Ephrata in the Lancaster-Lebanon League Semifinals.

Northern Lebanon 5, Penn Manor 2

Northern Lebanon Leaders

Ryleigh Hopkins: 1-4, R, RBI, 2B
Stephanie Palkovic: 1-2, R, HBP
Addison Hollenbach: 1-3, R
Addison Kubica: 1-2, RBI, 2B, SF
Alyssa Shirey: 1-3, RBI, SB
Sophia Roye: RBI, SF
Mykenah Johnson: 2-3, R, 2B
Makenzie West: 1-3, R, RBI
Keira Palski: 1-3

Pitching
Addison Hollenbach (W): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

Penn Manor Leaders

Zuzu Hardy: 1-2, R, RBI, HR, BB
Mia Skiadas: 2-4
Aly Weber: 2-3
Kam Maust: 2-3, R
Scarlett Teran: BB

Pitching
Callie Hickey: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Kyleigh Lamborn: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K