With a lopsided 15-0 shutout at McCaskey on Monday, April 11 and a hard-fought 5-0 result against visiting Hempfield two days later, the softball team collected its fifth straight victory, third straight shutout and fourth shutout overall.

Anna Sexton struck out 11 batters and scattered three hits against the Red Tornado. Solanco scored ten runs in the first inning to take control early. Emily Sims and Marlee Haupt were responsible for five of the runs batted in.

"They're a much-improved team," said head coach Brett Miller, "and they made some plays, but we got the hits when we needed them and took advantage of ten walks."

Solanco grabbed its second crossover win two days later with a six-hit attack against Hempfield. After two scoreless innings, the hosts scored all the runs they needed with a three-spot in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Josie Janssen worked a walk and moved up on a base hit by Sims. Both runners scored on Kendal Janssen's double. Holly Grube's single to centerfield scored Janssen before Grube was tagged out at second base.

Two innings later they padded their lead with a pair of insurance runs, again scoring with two outs. J. Janssen popped a bunt over the third baseman and scored when Sims crushed a triple down the right field line. K. Janssen then stepped to the plate and was hit by a pitch. She scored on a Grube single up the middle.

"They changed pitchers for those last two innings, and she threw very hard," said Miller. "The ball was moving. So, it was nice to see us respond. When your eight and nine (J. Janssen) hitters can contribute offensively, it makes for good results.

"This was an important win," he added. "You always like to beat Hempfield. At times, with three errors, we were generous. Fortunately, they did not capitalize on our mistakes."

Sexton was strong in the circle, tossing a one-hitter with nine strikeouts.

"Anna pitched very well," Miller lauded. "She had good command and we made the plays on a number of grounders and fly balls."

TRACK

Solanco's track teams, in a field of 17 schools, competed in the Black Knight Invitational on Saturday, April 9. The girls finished 8th overall and the boys were 10th.

"We had some nice PR's in not so nice weather," said head coach Jen McDowell. "Our athletes overcame the weather and surpassed our expectations."

Katie Urbine continued to impress. She won the pole vault, was third in the long jump and finished sixth in the 100. "Her biggest challenge was that all three events were happening at the same time," noted McDowell. "That was a struggle, especially with the weather, but she overcame it."

Hannah Wood placed in two events, grabbing second in the shot and sixth in the discus.

"And we welcomed back Martha Weaver, who threw great for her first time this season," said McDowell.

Noah Baber also had a big day, clearing six feet again for second in the high jump, and adding a third in the long. Also in the jumps, Elijah Reimold was third in the high and sixth in the long and Trent McDowell picked up a fifth in the triple jump.

"We also got a big PR (41-0) from Braden Caldwell in the shot," McDowell exclaimed. "Our throwers have really shown improvement over the past few weeks."

On the track, the 4x800 relay team of Jimmy Hartigan, Wyatt Tomison, Joey Hartigan and Anthony Solis-Morales went under 9:00 and finished in third place.

BASEBALL

Solanco's offensive woes continued last week, leading to a 2-0 loss to McCaskey on Monday and a 4-1 defeat at Hempfield Wednesday afternoon, and dropped the Mules to 1-6 overall.

"Offensively, we're hitting the ball hard but our lack of ability to hit the open spots continues to haunt us," said head coach John Girvin. "Our team goal is no more than five strikeouts in seven innings. We had six so we are putting the ball in play. But we have been snake-bitten on our own field. We cannot find the holes."

After four scoreless innings, McCaskey scored the only run they needed in the top of the fifth. A two out error let the game-winning run slip home. They added an insurance run in the sixth, connecting for two hits with two outs to cap the scoring.

"Ty Burger pitched a great game," said Girvin. "He struck out seven and walked three. And Sawyer Weyman pitched the last two innings. He has a lot of poise for a sophomore. We could not ask more of our pitchers. And Nate Harnish has been throwing guys out every game and that starts with the pitchers," he continued.

Solanco threatened over the last three innings, putting at least two runners on each frame, but came up empty.

"It really could have been a 0-0 game going into the eighth," said Girvin. "It should have been."

Brayden Herr, Blake Cheyney and Harnish each connected for one hit in the loss.

Solanco's crossover action continued on Wednesday. Down just 1-0 after four complete innings, Hempfield strung together five base hits, took advantage of one error, and scored three runs. The Mules ended the rally with a 1-6-3 double play.

Solanco threatened in the third when Kaden Strong was hit by a pitch and Avery Jacobsen walked. A groundout ended the opportunity.

The visitors finally broke through in the seventh. Harnish reached on an error, moved up on a pair of fielder's choices and scored on Dillon Dean's line drive single to left field. It was Solanco's only hit of the game. The Knights finished with ten.

Brayden Herr took the loss, throwing five strikeouts and one walk over five innings. Weyman walked one batter in one inning of relief.