Donegal tennis rackets continue to connect with success, sweeping past Octorara and Hempfield, in addition to a 5-2 win over Manheim Central this past week, bringing their overall record to 6-1.

Akilan Murugesan, Evan Stehman, and Jacob Erb each came through with singles wins against Manheim Central on Wednesday, April 7th.

In doubles action it was Luke Yunginger paired with Stehman for a win. Another point came from duo Landon Keller and Benjamin Hallgren.

"This team has done a great job in the first month of the season," praised head coach Trent Hoffmaster. "Our top guys are so close in ability and they are constantly pushing one another to get better. They go out on the court and expect to win."

Yunginger, Murugesan and Erb each had singles wins in both the Octorara (April 6th) and Hempfield (April 1st) 7-0 sweeps. Stehman gained a singles victory against Hempfield and Keller picked one up against Octorara.

Both Stehman and Erb hold undefeated 6-0 singles records after their recent successes.

Erb, a first-time varsity player, has also found success alongside doubles partner Murugesan who is also in his debut varsity season, and the pair hold a 5-2 run at doubles after seven contests.

"Akilan Murugesan has been steady all season long and shown leadership qualities while on the court," Hoffmaster said of the sophomore.

Yunginger (4-3) has faced some stiff competition in the No. 1 singles spot and is rising to that challenge.

"Luke Yunginger is getting better every match. He is learning what it takes to be a number one player in our league," Hoffmaster added.

Expecting to face some formidable opposition in the days to come, Hoffmaster pointed out the readiness of his players.

"They have won some close matches that have given them confidence. If they continue to believe in their abilities, they can compete with anyone."

BASEBALL

Donegal baseball hosted Northern Lebanon last Wednesday and got the job done in five innings, winning 11-1, after an explosive fifth frame in which they drove home seven runs.

Nicholas Eichelberger was on the mound for the Indians earning the complete game win, striking out six, scattering three hits and allowing one run.

Lebanon scored their run in their first at bat, but the Indian defense thwarted any further Viking success.

The offense opened in their second at bat when Micah Brown doubled to drive in Donegal's first run. Andrew Small crushed a solo homer in the third to give the Indians the lead.

Brown's work at the plate also kicked off a fourth inning surge with a single. Alex Eisenberger followed with a RBI double, and Colin Eckinger singled to send another run home, giving Donegal a 4-1 lead after four.

A series of walks in the fifth set the stage for the seven-run Donegal blitz, featuring a two RBI double from Eckinger and singles from Landen Baughman and Eichelberger.

Eckinger finished the day with three RBIs and two hits, and Brown collected both a pair of hits and pair of RBIs.

On Monday, April 5th, the Tribe came up just one run short in a 3-2 loss at Exeter Township.

Donegal pitcher Jaden Fabian took the loss, striking out four batters over the course of four and a third innings.

Exeter gained the early momentum with a two-run homer in the first inning and scored their third run in the second.

Donegal rallied with an answer in the fifth, plating their two runs after hits from Brown and Eckinger. With two outs against them, Brown scored on a passed ball and Eckinger was brought in by a hit from Xavier Cannon.

Unfortunately for the Tribe, Exeter was able to close out the inning before the Indians were able to score the equalizer.

Baughman provided the Indians fourth hit of the evening.

"We are young and inexperienced, but I love the way the kids are working and getting better each day," pointed out head coach Jeff Hartman. "Sky is the limit, if we stay the course-love this group."

TRACK

The Donegal boys suffered an extremely close 78-72 loss in last Tuesday's trip to ELCO with plenty of success to celebrate.

Pulling in substantial points in the distance races, Donegal's Brock Overlander crossed first in the 1600 (4:44.9) and 800 (2:10), and Hunter Gehman won the 3200 in 11:12.3.

Donegal also dominated the throwing events with Zachery Nissley's first place javelin effort, a personal record of 169-8, a second place shot put (42-7), and a third place discus (100-6).

Owen Kling won the shot put (43-5) and placed second in the discus (108-6).

Ashton Robertson contributed a third place throw in javelin (126-4), and Owen Champ completed the Donegal sweep in shot put with a 39-9 throw for third.

The Indians also scooped up 15 team points by sweeping the relay events. Samuel Rothstein, Logan Fry, Gehman, and Overlander grabbed the 4x800 relay win; Jordell Jonas, Timothy Stehman, Noah Hinkel, and Aaron Miller claimed the 4x100, while Aaron Storey, Cristian Almanza, Fry, and Jonas won the 4x400.

For the girls, the evening held a 108-42 loss, yet featured several Donegal standouts.

Amanda Fry earned a pair of victories, crossing the finish line first in both the 400 (1:05) and 1600 (5:55).

Sarah Hinkel claimed the 300 hurdles in 50.8, Myra Naqvi recorded a personal best time with her win in the 800 (2:25.3), and Rachel Fernald won the 3200 in 13:03.

Hinkel and Naqvi each ran a leg of the 4x400 relay along with Carolyn Snyder and Anna Brubaker for another Donegal triumph.

SOFTBALL

In a heartbreaker, the Lady Indians lost a 6-5 battle against Northern Lebanon on the road last Wednesday, April 7.

The Vikings got ahead early, scoring two in the first inning, but Donegal rallied to take the lead after a three-run at bat. Heads up base running from Bella Mackinson and Madeline Gohn put the Indians in scoring position. Both runners crossed the plate, followed by Emma Garber capitalizing on a Viking error to tally three Donegal runs.

Natalie Colwell sent a single into right field driving Mackinson home a second time in the fifth, and Mackinson's day at the plate got even better with a solo homer in the seventh.

Unfortunately for the Indians, the Vikings had a late game surge that allowed them to overtake the lead in the final at bat.

Cara Biesecker was in the circle for the Indians, taking the loss after six and two-thirds innings of work, striking out three.

Mackinson concluded the day with three hits, Emma Miller had two, and Colwell supplied two RBIs.