Solanco's softball team earned its second league win with a second lopsided final, rallying from behind to upend visiting Ephrata 18-3 Monday, April 6.

"This was Ephrata's first game," noted head coach Brett Miller. "They didn't have any scrimmages, so they struggled a bit. And we're still looking for improvement and trying to figure out where we are."

The hosts fell behind early in this one, giving up three first inning runs despite Anna Sexton striking out the first batter of the game. The Bucks connected for a pair of short singles and took advantage of a walk and an error to take the early lead.

It did not take Solanco long to respond. "The first four batters in the lineup (Emily Sims, Holly Grube, Becca Foulk and Jade Eshleman) all scored," recalled Brett Miller. "We battled back."

And then some as Solanco plated nine runs in the inning, sending 13 batters to the plate. Grube, who reached on an error in her first appearance, ripped a three-run triple over left field in her second at bat, pushing the lead to 8-3. Foulk, who went 4-for-4 on the day, singled in Grube.

"Becca had a very good day at the plate," Miller lauded. "Overall, the hits were well distributed, and some were quite timely. Holly, a freshman, had a good swing to clear the bases."

After a scoreless second, Solanco took advantage of three CV miscues, a pair of walks and some timely hitting to push seven more runs across. Sims picked up a RBI double to made it 16-3.

Needing just two more runs to end the game early, Marlee Haupt singled in Foulk who led off with a base hit and Alyssa Schlagnhaufer's single capped the scoring.

"The offense, for the pitching we're seeing, is looking good," said Miller. "Defensively we have to be better and that comes with repetition. That old cliche, taking things one game at a time, really is true but it's what you do in between that also counts.

"Right now, we have to make sure we win the games we should be winning," he added.

Sexton scattered three hits, struck out five and walked two to earn the win.

"Our pitching is developing," said Miller. "We're working from being a thrower to a pitcher. That just takes time and experience."

Solanco earned its second shutout of the season and their third abbreviated victory as they blanked visiting Conestoga Valley 14-0 in four innings.

Eshleman's two run homer in the first inning sparked a seven-run effort and a commanding lead.

They scored two more in the second on an error and then plated five in the third, taking advantage of three walks, two errors and base hits by Foulk and Schlagnhaufer.

Marlee Haupt and Foulk also finished with two hits each.

Sexton earned the win in the circle, striking out eight and scattering three hits.

BASEBALL

A six-run bottom of the sixth inning effort for Ephrata spoiled Solanco's hopes for their second league win as the Mounts finished on top 9-2 Monday night, April 6.

It was a close game up to that point. Solanco jumped in front 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Freshman Austin Wenger reached on a two base error and senior Garrett Worthington followed with a base hit.

"That set up a two out double steal with Wenger scoring from third," recalled head coach Tom Fish. "Ephrata came back with two runs in the second inning on some close plays that did not go our way.

"Ephrata's War Memorial Field is such a difficult play to play, especially at night," Fish added. "Their team is tough enough, but something about those lights, and the atmosphere, always leads to a challenging, sometimes long evening for the Mules."

Solanco closed the gap in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Nate Harnish cracked a long double to left center and scored on a clutch two out single by senior Ronnie Fulton, who was left stranded.

"That sixth inning was kind of ugly," said Fish. "They had some timely hitting and we helped them with a few errors. The game was closer than the final. We had our chances, but it didn't go our way."

Tyler Burger started on the hill and, through four innings of work, struck out eight and walked three. "He worked out of some jams and kept us in the game by getting some big outs along the way," Fish stated.

Seth Harnish and Logan Wagner pitched in relief.

Wednesday's 11-4 win at CV pushed Solanco's record to 2-1.

After a scoreless first inning, Solanco took the lead for good with three runs in the second. Worthington beat out an infield single to start the inning.

"He slid into first base headfirst and that really got us going," said Fish.

Nate Harnish followed with a base hit and Nate Miller singled in Worthington. Ethan Clary's groundout scored Harnish, and Miller came home when Ronnie Fulton reached on an error.

Single runs were added in the third and fifth innings as the Mules extended their lead.

"Worthington doubled in the third and scored on a wild play from second on a strike three in the dirt," said Fish. "He really gave us a spark today."

Solanco's fifth inning run came on a Harnish base hit and a Worthington sac fly.

CV cut the lead to 5-4 with a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings before the Mules exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh to put the game away.

"It was 5-4 in the sixth with one out and the tying runner in scoring position," said Fish. "Harnish came on in relief and worked a key strikeout. Plus, we got a ton of defensive help including a diving, run saving play by junior short stop Avery Jacobsen. That kept us in front."

Senior pitcher Ethan Clary earned the start, the first in his career, and got the win. He allowed two runs over five innings, struck out three and gave up four hits.

"He was impressive in his debut on the mound," praised Fish.

Offensively, Worthington was 3-for-3 with a double and two base hits, a run, a RBI and a stolen base. Nate Miller was 3-4 with a double, three RBIs, two run and two stolen bases.

"Garrett and Nate definitely paced our offense," said Fish.