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On crisp, cool Friday nights at the Pioneer sports complex, Bear Shank hits things. Usually, it's open receivers, but in this case, football coach John Manion was sitting in the press box as a volunteer scorekeeper. Instead, Shank broke out of an epic slump by hitting a hard single to right field to drive in two runs and give L-S a lead to start the game. Bear Shank broke out of his slump with a first inning two-RBI single "Let's say that," Shank replied to a question as to whether it was his first hit in a while. After the first inning, the Pioneers had opened a 3-0 lead that one could have mistaken for an offensive explosion given the team's anemic bats of late. Now on a two-game winning streak that succeeds a stretch where the team lost seven of eight and averaged just 2.5 runs per game, the team has gained some much needed momentum entering the home stretch of the season. Meanwhile, the team is developing some new pitchers. Todd Shelley got t

It's Thursday night, and you've got to go to your sibling's concert: boring right? Not if it's the jazz concert! This event, held yearly in the spring in the high school PAC, was anything but boring! With songs from the sixth graders such as "El Taco Rocko", songs from the seventh and eighth like "In the Mood", and ones from the high schoolers such as "Red Clay", the audience was hard pressed not to dance in their seats throughout the night! Senior trombonists (from L) Sammi Ingram, Jarrod Lloyd, and Ben Pontz joined Mr. Royer (center) to play "Lassus Trombone"; baritone saxophonist Ben Eidemiller and alto saxophonist Sean Burke accompany the piece in front Toes were tapping and lips were smiling as each ensemble gave it their all, with improvised solos interspersed throughout most of the songs. The high school ensemble even had a vocalist, Sammi Ingram, singing a fabulous rendition of the song "Orange Colored Sk

Math is a mindset. No one demonstrates that more than Alyssa Cunningham. She likes taking challenging math courses at school. Alyssa Cunningham was named the Burrowes Scholar for math and family consumer sciences She likes passing the mile marker in her 5K Cross Country race and calculating her mile splits in her head. And she even likes measuring out the ingredients for a new recipe she is concocting. And so, it is no surprise that Cunningham was named the Math Burrowes Scholar this year. However, that was not the only subject for which she was recognized. In addition, Cunningham will be recognized for the Family and Consumer Sciences at the Burrowes Scholar Banquet on May 5. “I was really surprised,” says Cunningham when asked about the FCS award. Although cooking is among one of Cunningham’s hobbies, much of coursework at school is spent in the math and science areas, her favorites. Cunningham is a three-time Burrowes Scholar recipient and was prev

Under the lights, everything changes. With the indisputable staff ace, Garrett Groshong, on the hill and students filling the bleachers and grass, the excitement was palpable as the game began. Groshong retired the side in the first … and the second … and the third … and the fourth, allowing just one baserunner in each inning. All the while, though, the offense struggled. In the first inning, Kris Pirozzi and Connor Brown reached second and third, but the third through fifth hitters went down in order with no runs coming home. "I tried to stay calm," says Groshong in regards to the lack of run support. "I pitch better when I'm happy." Garrett Groshong helped himself by starting a rally at the plate in the fifth inning; meanwhile, he threw seven innings while striking out four, walking one, and allowing five hits to just one run Groshong credited third baseman Colin Eckman for helping him stay loose during the game, something the team as

Scoring 11 runs in the first inning, the Pioneers cruised to a 15-0 victory today over Columbia. They succeeded in hitting throughout the lineup as they tallied nine singles, three doubles, and two triples on the day. Bri Garber connects with the ball to start a rally in the first inning that brought 11 runs home Bri Garber began the rally for the Pioneers with a bunt single down the first base line. Jordyn Kondras and Hanna Garber quickly added two singles of their own. Delaney Baker followed with a walk, and Jordan Weaver drove in Garber and Baker with a double to right center. With four runs on the board Caroline Braungard settled for a walk. Back-to-back doubles from Kylie Weaver and Bri Garber added two more runs. Kondras and Hanna Garber singled again, and a Baker triple sent them both home. Jordan Weaver singled to left field allowing Baker to score the last run of the attack. The bottom of the second inning served  as another opportunity for the Pioneers to add to the

For most teams, a two-run win over a team that leads its section would be cause for unqualified celebration. Then again, the Lampeter-Strasburg softball team, now 14-0, has few qualities of most teams. Jordan Weaver has led the Pioneers from the circle, overpowering opposing hitters Having outscored opponents 161-10 on the season, it can be easy -- almost obvious -- to look ahead, but the team is trying to stay focused on the next game, as difficult as that can be. "We're trying to take it one game at a time and not overlook opponents," explains senior pitcher Jordan Weaver, the staff ace who has accepted a scholarship to pitch at Mount St. Mary's next spring. "We looked past yesterday." Yesterday, the Pioneers eked out a 6-4 win over the Pequea Valley Braves, far from the comfortable blowouts to which this team has grown accustomed. In some ways, the narrow victory may serve as a wakeup call. "We have to take care of business,&quo

For Jonathan Kurtz, technology education has become a huge part of his life. He traces that influence to one individual, his teacher for Wood Tech II, Mr. Adrian Baker. John Kurtz was named Burrowes Scholar for technology education "In Wood Tech II," Kurtz reflects, "we got to choose our own projects." This opportunity for independence led him to enjoy the course. Baker recalls that Kurtz took on projects far more advanced than many of his peers, such as a complicated desk that took more work than initially Kurtz anticipated, but that he worked hard to finish. That tenacity and drive to learn sets Kurtz apart. "John has been a pleasure to work with during his time in my classes," Baker says. "He is always polite and asks good questions. John's hard work and dedication have allowed him to create some excellent projects." Kurtz finds freedom in wood tech that he does not necessarily find elsewhere; in tandem with

With the temperatures increasing and spring sports coming to an end, the Lampeter-Strasburg boys tennis team fought hard in a long, tiresome battle against Conestoga Valley. Despite having a rather promising season, the Pioneers lost 5-0 against the triumphing Buckskins. Tyler Thomas converses with his Conestoga Valley opponent after losing his singles match The finality of this match is memorable to many graduating seniors, as it may be their last season ever playing tennis. Although not continuing to play tennis on a team after high school, since tennis is a lifetime sport, the boys are sure to enjoy their beloved sport throughout their lifetimes. Logan Emmert played during the JV match, and as the team's only freshman, figures to be a building block for the future Sporting matching red shirts to celebrate the American Heart Association, the boys played in several close matches throughout the afternoon. With Greg Mowrer, playing singles, and Matt O’Neil and Tyler T