The Garden Spot boys' lacrosse team posted back-to-back victories for the first time this season, defeating Wyomissing 8-6 on Saturday, April 24 and doubling up Schuylkill Valley on the road two days later, 14-7.

The victories improved the Spartans' record to 3-10. The wins came following a heartbreaking 12-10 loss at home the previous Thursday to Ephrata.

The Mountaineers' 3-1 advantage following the first quarter also proved to be the winning margin. Despite outshooting the Mounts 33-28, the Spartans couldn't mount a comeback.

With six goals, Brock Boyer was Ephrata's top scoring force. Ayden Naranjo and Zane Fisher each put up a hat trick and one assist for Garden Spot. Gavyn Naranjo scored twice and assisted on two other goals while Jared Patton's two assists went with one goal scored. Blake Weaver also netted one goal.

Spartan goalie Cole Leaman had eight saves.

Garden Spot jumped out to a 4-1 lead over Wyomissing in non-league play. Gavyn Naranjo's work near the Wyomissing net made him difficult to defend as the senior poured in five goals. His freshman brother Ayden scored one goal as did Logan Lesley and Thomas Andress, who also assisted on one. Fisher and Michael Zook were each credited with an assist as well.

Leaman made 20 saves.

The 14-goal attack at Schuylkill Valley included a six-goal fourth quarter for the Spartans.

Fisher led the scoring with four goals and an assist. Ayden Naranjo recorded a hat trick while Andress, Nick Gleason and Gavyn Naranjo each scored twice. Lesley (2a) and Jared Patton (1g, 1a) also contributed.

Holding back the Panthers with 17 saves was Leaman. Colin Howe also made a save.

SOFTBALL

Coming off an exciting, extra-inning victory over Manheim Central on Monday, April 26, the softball team got off to an uncharacteristically poor start the next day at home against Lancaster Catholic.

"We came out tired, I think," said head coach Kimberly King. "We had errors and walks in the first couple of innings and didn't play well.

"But we woke up and played much better," King added. "I was proud of the way we fought back in the last inning."

The Spartans dropped that game 11-5.

Garden Spot did score early as Sydni King reached on a single and Amelia Mercado followed with a hit. King eventually scored on an error. Abigail O'Neill singled home another run in the third inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Allie King doubled, and Sydni King stroked an RBI single. Emma Royle's hit drove in Sydni King

In the triumph over Central, the Spartans escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the eighth inning. Offensively, Spot had only three base hits - two of which were by Royle - but took advantage of Barons errors.

The Barons scored in the top of the second and the Spartans answered with two in the home half. Royle singled followed by two Manheim Central errors. Brittany Esh's grounder knocked in one run. The Spartans added another run on Central's third error of the inning.

In the eighth inning, Mercado allowed two walks and another base runner on an error.

First batter with bases loaded, infield in and no outs; grounder to shortstop; Allie King throws home for a force out.

Second batter: bouncer to the pitcher. Mercado throws home for the second out.

Third batter: a short fly to left center. Allie King catches the pop up.

Bottom of the eight, Mercado singled and advanced to third on a two-base error by the right fielder. O'Neill reached on an error, scoring Mercado with the game-winner.

"In the Lancaster Catholic game, when Kylie Weinhold came in to pitch, we played excellent defense behind her," said King. "We had a double play. Gabby Spencer, our catcher, picked two runners off at third base and threw one out at second base."

Garden Spot had a tough night on Wednesday against Donegal. The Indians scored six runs in the first two innings and went on to win 9-1.

VOLLEYBALL

The Manheim Central match, as the scheduled regular season finale, looms largely for the Garden Spot boys' volleyball team. The Spartans won two matches this past week, remaining unbeaten (8-0) in L-L League play while Central improved to 7-1.

On Thursday, April 22, Garden Spot blanked Lancaster Mennonite 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-17) at home. They went on to shut out Ephrata on Tuesday, April 27 in New Holland, improving to 11-1 overall.

Laine King with 11 kills. Jordan Martin distributed 27 assists and tied Joseph Sharp with two blocks each. Tyler Martin finished with 19 digs while Tanner Laukhuff, Keegan Redcay and Chandler Xiong each had one ace.

Ephrata also made it close as the Spartans triumphed 25-20, 25-22 and 25-19. Jordan Buch led with 12 kill, 10 digs, two aces and five blocks. King finished with 11 kills while Jordan Martin had 22 assists and tied Griffin Witmer with three blocks. Witmer also served up four aces while Tyler Martin led with 21 digs.

GIRLS' LACROSSE

The Spartans unleashed a dominant offensive force against Conestoga Christian in a non-league match in New Holland Monday, April 26. Garden Spot's 19 shots on goal led to an 18-11 victory, improving the Spartans' record to 3-8.

Emma Gruber scored six times and dished out two assists while Gwen Varley scored four goals and dished out three assists. Brielle Moyer (2a) and Emily Ferris each notched a hat trick. Diana Redcay finished with two goals.

Lexi Horning's four saves helped hold off the visitors.

The Spartans' next opponent was a tough Hempfield squad in a match in Landisville Tuesday. The Knights topped Spot 15-5 with Kayla Brooks and Regan Gillisse scoring five and four goals, respectively.

The Spartans got three goals by Varley and two by Gruber.

BASEBALL

Lancaster Catholic topped Garden Spot 10-4 on Tuesday, April 27. Catcher Caden Murphy drove in two of Garden Spot's runs in the non-league setback that dropped the Spartans' record to 2-9.

Evan Myers went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Ty Stanley (1-for-3) scored two runs. Justin Petersheim went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Garden Spot was coming off a 17-4 loss at Manheim Central the day before. The Barons scored nine times in the bottom of the fourth inning - right after the Spartans cut the Barons' lead to 8-4 with a three spot in the top of the frame.

Murphy had a double and an RBI. He also scored a run. Cody Brullo was 1-for-2 with a run. Luke Steiner, Kye Harting and Petersheim each drove in a run. Myers went 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Spot let one slip away Wednesday at Donegal. Leading 6-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the gave up three runs, sending the game into extras. Donegal plated the game winner in the 7-6 final.

TRACK

Lampeter-Strasburg topped Garden Spot's track teams on Monday, April 26. The L-S boys remained undefeated (5-0), winning 110-40.

The Garden Spot girls lost by the very close margin of 78-72.

In the 3200m, Christy Martin earned first place, posting a time of 13:29.5. Lauren Horning added a first-place finish in the 400m at 65.7 while Bryna Kelly took the 300m hurdles in 48.6.

Kelly's 4-10 high jump also was a winner. Elyse Mundorff triple-jumped 31-2 for a win while Logan Martin tossed the javelin 110-8.