Garden Spot's baseball team won three out of four games, including a combined shutout by Ryan Speers and Caleb Zimmerman at Octorara, on Monday May 1.

The only loss in that stretch was a game that was rescheduled to Tuesday, May 2, against Lancaster-Lebanon League rival Manheim Central - a 9-7 Central victory.

In that game, the Barons stunned the Spartans with six runs in the sixth inning and one more in the seventh, overcoming a 7-2 deficit on Garden Spot's home field.

The contributions to the Spartans scoring were pretty much throughout the lineup, including two runs batted in by freshman Connor Manning, junior Caiden Murphy, and sophomore Ryan Speers, who had two hits.

"We have gotten pretty solid production from our lineup all season," Cody Straub, the Spartans' head coach, stated. "

Zimmerman, battling leadoff in this contest, stroked a single and a triple. He scored one of Spot's runs. Also contributing to the run production was junior Karson Weaver, who drew a walk, stole a base, and came around to score on one of Colin Smith's base hits. Gabe Smeltz went 2-for-4 out of the ninth spot of the batting order, driving in one run and scoring two.

"Gabe Smeltz has had a few big hits for us, recently," Straub said, "and the guys behind him like Ryan Speers, Colin Smith and Kye Harting have been producing as well."

In Monday's game at Octorara, Smeltz drove in three runs on two hits. Harting, who reached base on a single as well as being hit by a pitch, scored two runs. Smith and Murphy each drove in a run.

"Ryan Speers threw for us on Monday with Caleb Zimmerman closing out the game," Straub noted. "Ryan has been consistent all season by locating his pitches and letting his defense make plays behind him. I have been impressed with his poise, especially for a sophomore, each time he takes the mound.

"Caleb has gotten some big outs for us to end games, recently," continued the coach.

In Wednesday's game at Elco, Zimmerman again came in to record a save. Fellow sophomore Madix Bracken started and went 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six batters in the 3-2 victory, allowing only six hits. Zimmerman faced the minimum four batters in the 1 1/3 relief innings.

"We were able to pick up another section win because of great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting," Straub said. "I've been happy with the depth we have created in our lineup. That showed up with some timely hits the last few games."

The timely hitting plus stolen bases by Weaver, Zimmerman and Smeltz helped the Spartans manufacture runs. Bracken not only earned the win, he also had a part in all three Garden Spot runs - scoring one and driving in two. He had three hits, including a double and a triple. Weaver had two base hits and scored a run. Smith went 1-for-3 with a double. Smeltz had an RBI single.

SOFTBALL

It was a stretch of games with the depleted Garden Spot roster facing tough L-L League rivals in softball games this past week.

On Thursday, April 26, the Manheim Central squad defeated Garden Spot 18-3. The always optimistic head coach Kimberly King looked for the positive signs of growth in her team.

"We had some hits, and definitely put the ball in play," King said.

Of those hits, one was a Rebecca Hoover home run. She drove in two of Spot's runs. Sydni King also had two hits.

"We only struck out six times," King pointed out. "Paige Brady pitched for us and only walked three."

On Monday, May 1, the winless Spartans faced Octorara. The Braves defeated the Spartans 26-0 in a game shortened due to the 10-run mercy rule.

"Rebecca and Sydni had hits," she said. "Lexi Bender and Violet Jackson each had a hit too.

"Violent seems to get on base for us," King said of the freshman. "She is learning to play the outfield.

"She keeps improving," continued the coach. "That's all I can ask of these girls - to continue to get better. The girls have the attitude of being ready for next year."

In Tuesday's 21-2 loss to Cocalico, which was a makeup game from the previous week's rainouts, Cheyenne Bair had her first varsity hit.

Sydni King pitched the next game on the Spartans' schedule, a 34-0 loss to Elco. King and Natalie Gilgorevic each had a hit.

TRACK

In a Section Two Monday afternoon meet at Elizabethtown, the Bears topped the Spartans 95-55 in the boys' meet while the Garden Spot girls won by the slimmest of margins, 76-74.

Kaleb Zimmerman's 51-foot-6 shot put was the top distance in the meet.

Landon Friebel's javelin toss carried 133-8 and his discus toss of 119-4 was also good for first.

Jaden Rodriguez grabbed first in the high jump at 5-8.

While Angela Nuse dashed off with the 100-meter victory for the Spartan girls, Melanie Esh won the long-distance 3200-m race in a time of 13:17.

Megan Hechler claimed both hurdling events and the high jump at 4-10. Nuse also won the long jump at 15-5.

GIRLS' LACROSSE

Garden Spot earned its fourth win of the season with a 19-5 victory at home on Friday, April 27. In defeating Lancaster Country Day, the Spartans (4-11) improved to 2-8 in the L-L League.

The attack on the Cougars' net came from a variety of Spartans, including the six goals by Gwen Varley and five by Brielle Moyer. In addition, Kathryn Pierce, and Emily Ferris each scored a hat trick.

The Spartans got one goal each from Eden Nagle and Alivia Backes.

In the 25-7 non-league loss to Red Lion at home on Wednesday, Varley scored six of Spot's goals. Moyer scored one and assisted on one of Varley's goals.

BOYS' LACROSSE

Coming off two heartbreaking defeats, the Spartans blew away Conrad Weiser 14-2 in a non-league boys' lacrosse game at Weiser on Wednesday, May 3. The win came two days following a tough 12-9 loss at home to Penn Manor and five days following the 9-8 loss at Lancaster Country Day - Friday, April 27.

Ayden Naranjo and Max Davis each scored four times in the Weiser game. Logan Lessley and Jared Patton also had multiple points on the day with Patton dishing out three assists plus one goal and Lessley scoring twice and assisting on another.

Joseph Bernek and Kane Leaman also scored while Cole Leaman's six saves in goals saved the match.

Garden Spot's five fourth-quarter goals were not enough to catch Penn Manor on Monday.

Naranjo scored four goals in this game also while Bernek and Lessley each tallied two. Davis netted one goal.

The Spartans outshot the Comets 49-22.

The Spartans fell to 5-4 in league play with the loss to the Cougars in a match played at Lancaster Catholic. The Cougars outscored the Spartans 5-3 in the first half and by a 5-4 margin in the second. Bernek, Davis, and Naranjo each found the Cougars' net twice. Patton and Leaman scored one each while Lessley contributed two assists.

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL

In keeping pace with the unbeaten first-place Manheim Central Barons, the Spartans blanked Lebanon on the road in L-L League boys' volleyball action Tuesday evening, May 2.

Garden Spot posted winning scores of 25-17, 25-15 and 25-22 in the 3-0 victory.

Junior Nicholas Smucker came through with 10 kills and two blocks. Justin Mininger had five aces and four digs while senior Keegan Redcay dished 17 assists.

The Spartans improved to 9-1 overall and 8-1 in league play.