The many stars that shined for the Donegal softball team this season carried the 2022 squad to the District Three playoffs. The season's highlights included the likes of junior pitcher Cara Biesecker recording 11 victories while often helping her own cause as evidenced by her .500 batting average and a team-leading 14 doubles. Another example was Bella Mackison slugging eight home runs, driving in a team-high 48 runs while batting .631 and compiling a 1.262 slugging percentage. Emma Garber, who batted .462, and Natalie Colwell (.395, 2 HR, 26 RBI) tied for third on the team in total hits with 30 each. Ruth Myers batted .351 and helped manufacture runs with her speed - 17 steals. Esther Myers hit .412 on the year and stole nine bases.

The tense of the verbs in the above paragraph are that of the past tense, however, because the Indians came up short against Shippensburg in that first-round game of the District Three 5A playoffs on Monday, May 23.

The second-seeded Greyhounds bolted out of the gate with four runs in the home half of the first inning. The Indians (13-7) cut the deficit to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, only to see Shipp regain momentum with run number six.

With Shippensburg's strong start, Biesecker was lifted after two innings. Colwell came on to pitch four quality innings, keeping her team in the game. Sophomores Olivia Lebitz and Delaney Gilbert each slugged a solo home run for Shippensburg.

The Indians managed only two hits on the day against Hounds pitcher Cierra Bender (8 K's) including a solo home run by Grace Graham. Biesecker had a double and an RBI, driving in Ruth Myers, who had reached on an error.

BASEBALL

With three runs in the top of the seventh inning, the Donegal baseball team secured an 8-4 victory at Greencastle-Antrim on Monday, May 23. The number nine seed Indians outplayed the eighth-seeded Blue Devils, who finished their season at 13-6.

With senior Colin Eckinger going 3-for-4 and scoring three runs, Donegal (15-6) had solid support at the top of the lineup. Andrew Small (2-for-3) stroked a triple and drove in three runs, in addition to scoring twice himself

Also coming through huge on the day was Jaden Fabian. The junior had a two-run double and a sacrifice fly RBI. Brock Hammaker had a stolen base and two runs scored.

Fabian was providing run support for himself as he went the distance, striking out 10 Blue Devils and scattering 10 base hits.

TRACK

At the District Three 3A championships on May 20-21 at Shippensburg University, Victoria Burton led the girls' team with a shot-put effort of 34 feet 6.75 inches. The distance was good for seventh place.

Sprinter Faith Garber dashed to a 19th-place finish in the 100-meter race with a time of 12.98 seconds. Her time of 26.82 seconds was good for 21st place in the 200-m.