Another game, another mercy rule victory for the L-S softball team

Delaney Groff continued the Pioneers' excellent pitching streak
The softball squad picked up its 13th win of the season today as it defeated Lancaster Catholic 10-0 in six innings.

Pitcher Delaney Groff and the Pioneer defense held the Crusaders to just three hits on the day, which was huge especially considering the Pioneers' ace, Jordan Weaver, was not starting. Then again, in 13 games, the L-S softball team has allowed just six runs.


Leaving runners in scoring position for the first three innings, the team got off to a rough start at the plate. However, the Pioneers finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Natalie Carson lead off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Groff. Bri Garber took a walk as well. An infield fly added another out to the board, but Hanna Garber and Delaney Baker were still able to work walks of their own to load the bases and put a run on the board. Jordan Weaver’s grounder to third base caused trouble for Catholic as they overthrew home plate allowing the Garber sisters to score. Robin Feaster drove in two more runs with a double, but a pop fly to the short stop ended the Pioneer rally.


The team looked to add on more runs as Bri Garber and Kate Rohrer started the fifth inning with two singles, and they each took an extra base on a past ball. Hanna Garber then hit a sac fly to left as Bri tug to score. The inning ended quickly though as the next three Pioneers went down 1-2-3.

Groff also contributed at the plate with an RBI single in the sixth inning
Heading into the bottom of the sixth with a six-run advantage, the Pioneers loaded the bases with a lead off double, a hit by pitch (Caroline Braungard) and a walk (Carson). A single from Groff added a run for the Pioneers, and a double off the bat of Bri Garber tallied two more. To end the game, Hanna Garber launched another sac fly to center, allowing pinch runner Katie Kreider to score the 10th and final run of the game.


Looking back on the win, Natalie Carson notes, "It took us a while to rally, but we pulled through." The team travels to Pequea Valley on Monday to take on the Braves, a potentially difficult opponent who leads section three with a 9-2 record. 

Then again, the Pioneers have outscored opponents 155-5 on the season. Time will tell.


--Robin Feaster, LSNews.org Softball Reporter; Photos by Lauren Mast, LSNews.org Director of Sports Photography

Editor-In-Chief Benjamin Pontz contributed to this report with information on season-long statistics.

Edited: BP

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