The Donegal softball team staged a late rally in its Monday afternoon Lancaster-Lebanon League home game with Northern Lebanon. The Indians scored seven runs over the three final frames but fell short 11-7.

Over the first three innings, the Vikings built a 7-0 lead. With a four-run fourth inning, Natalie Colwell relieved starter Cara Biesecker for Donegal. Of the 10 runs charged to Biesecker, only seven were earned. The Vikings took advantage of seven fielding errors by Donegal's defense.

Colwell cooled off the Vikings while the Indians went on the offensive. Colwell also doubled and drove in a run to help with the comeback bid.

The offense was led in part by Biesecker, who slugged two doubles and scored three runs as she went 3-for-4. Bella Mackison was on base all five times she came to the plate. She went 2-for-2 plus three walks as she finished with three RBI's as well.

Emma Garber (3-for-5 w/double) and Kara Heidlauf each drove in two runs. Grace Graham also slammed a double.

The Vikings remained undefeated (3-0) while Donegal fell to 2-1 (1-1 in league).

BASEBALL

Sometimes it is the middle of your lineup that produces the runs; sometimes it is the top of the order which receives credit for helping to manufacture runs and other times someone at the number nine spot of the batting order comes through.

In Donegal's 8-4 Section Three win at Northern Lebanon on Monday April 4, Alex Eisenberger went 3-for-3, stole two bases, and scored twice, giving that all-important production from the number nine hole. Helping to keep turning the lineup over, senior Colin Eckinger went 1-for-4 from the leadoff spot, also swiping two bases and scoring a run.

Nicholas Eichelberger earned the win for Donegal.

"It's always a tough game for us at Northern Lebanon," said head coach Jeff Hartman. "We have a 'one-game-at-a-time' mission and will continue to improve."

With those four stolen bases, six walks and three sacrifice flies, the Indians manufactured their runs in textbook fashion, using only a six-hit attack to defeat the Vikings and improving to 5-0 on the year.

Brock Hammaker went hitless at the dish but drew a walk and came around to score. He also contributed with a sacrifice fly RBI. Micah Brown drew two walks and went 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. Landon Robertson (1-for-3) Landon Sexton and Andrew Small also scored runs.

The Indians were coming off Saturday's 4-2 defeat of Exeter Township. Jonathan Holmes started and went six innings, allowing only two base hits and a walk.

"This was a quality win for our program," Hartman said. "Holmes went six strong against a very good lineup and we played good, tight defense."

The Eagles scored first, finally getting to Holmes in the sixth inning with a pair of runs to make it 2-0. The Indians came to bat in the home half of the sixth and rallied for four runs.

"I loved how we responded to their two-run sixth," Hartman said. "Everyone contributed to the win. I was very proud of the boys."

Eichelberger came on in the seventh inning for a solid save.

Eckinger, Small and freshman Coy Allman each stroked a double. Darren Ortman finished with two RBI's.

TRACK

The boys' track team edged Elco 78-72 in a home meet on Monday afternoon, April 4.

Samuel Rothstein was one of the multiple winners for Donegal.

He joined Braden Bistline, Aaron Storey, and Jackson Brady for a win in the 4x400 relay. The quartet posted a time of 3:47.2.

Rothstein, who also won the 800- and 1600-meter events, also anchored the 4x800 relay win (9:00.3) with Bistline, Dylan Lenhart and Hunter Gehman.

"The 4x400 really ran tough and secured the victory for us at the end as well," said Donegal coach Bryce Sadler.

In the 3200 run it was Gehman grabbing first at 10:44.6

The field events included a pair of winning jumps by Jack Dearborn.

"Dearborn had a nice personal record in the long jump," Sadler said, referring to the senior's 18-foot-11.5 effort. "Dearborn and Isaac Lloyd had a nice 1-2 combination in the long jump."

Also of note, was Mark Overlander's winning pole vault event.

"That was a big personal record of 10 feet for Overlander," Sadler noted.

The girls' team lost a tough one against Elco as the Raiders made off with an 89-61 win, dropping Donegal's record to 1-1 on the year.

Faith Garber dashed away with first place in both the 100- and 200-m events with respective times of 13.0 and 26.8 seconds.

"She continues to impress," said Sadler.

McKyla Bantum was a triple winner, taking the 300 hurdles, the high hurdles, and the triple jump.

Hadley Shoaf came through with first-place finishes in the 800- and 1600-m races. She also anchored the 4x800 relay team that included Emma Myers, Marleigh Ballard, and Kathryn Fernald.

"Hadley Shoaf ran a personal best in the 800," Sadler said, referring to senior's time of 2:39.7.

TENNIS

The Donegal boys posted a 7-0 victory at Octorara on Monday, April 4, improving their mark to 6-1on the year (4-0 league).

Jacob Erb and Landon Keller, who won the first doubles by an 8-3 count, also went on to win the number one and number two singles, respectively. At number one, Erb won 6-0, 6-0. Keller also took his match in straight sets - 6-0, 6-1.

Conner Hyle and fellow senior Austin Barrick won their doubles match 8-3 and followed their teammates' trend of taking their respective singles matches. Hyle took the number three 6-1, 6-3 while Barrick won his match 6-1, 6-1.

Jackson Butson and Brett Sauder proved to be a winning pair at number three doubles, winning 8-4.

There were a few close battles on Wednesday at Donegal where Lancaster Country Day won a 7-0 match.

Hyle fought tooth and nail with Diez Villarino of the Cougars at number one singles. Villarino finally prevailed 7-5, 7-6 (3). Keller had a tough first set against Carson Weigle at number two singles, falling short 6-4.

Barrick and Butson played well at number three doubles before yielding to Christian Hoin and Chandler King in an 8-4 final.