The Pioneers topped a pair of teams ranked in the top ten of the district power rankings over the last week as they prepare for the quickly approaching post-season.

With seven different players scoring, the girls lacrosse team came home from Red Land on Friday, May 5, with an 18-11 victory under their belt. Rowan Kimmel's five-goal, one assist effort paced the scoring. Sophia Labrecque dished a team-high three assists and scored four times while Hannah Cissne chipped in with a hat trick. Bethany Stoltzfus (2g, 1a), Ryann Logan (1g, 1a), Leigha Saurbaugh (2g) and Abigail Welchans (1g) rounded out the scoring. The Patriots were seeded 9th in AA power rankings.

Four days later they faced a stiffer challenge in Kennard-Dale, ranked 8th, and pulled away with a 13-11 home victory. In a high-scoring first half, L-S held a slim 10-9 advantage. The second half changed pace, for both teams, and the Pioneers held the upper hand, 3-2, for the tight win.

"They had us chasing points and trading goals early in the first half," said head coach Marshall Krebs. "Rowan, who was face guarded the whole game, started dominating the draws and Sophia was able to make several key feeds while being double-teamed. And Bethany took advantage of KD keying on Rowan and scored four.

"We made some adjustments at the half and the attack group of Leigha, Ryann, Sophia and Abby slowed KD's transition game significantly, especially with a little over a minute left," added Krebs. "Jillian Kelly, filling in for injured Jordan Dilling, made saves at pivotal moments and followed up with sure-handed clears. She played like an experienced goalie today."

Kimmel finished with seven goals and two assists. Welchans (1g), Logan (1g, 1a) and Labrecque, with three assists, also contributed.

"Rowan had the best game of her career," said Krebs. "In addition to scoring, she had 12 draw controls, three caused turnovers and four ground balls. In a competitive game like that, all that dirty work, 'grit' which is the team motto this year, was the difference in the game."

BOYS' LACROSSE

As a tune up for post-season play, the Pioneers hosted Red Land, currently seeded second in the District 3 power rankings, on Friday, May 5 and sent the Patriots packing. After an even first quarter, L-S outscored Red Land in each of the next three frames, including a 2-0 result in the fourth, to come-away with a convincing 11-6 victory.

"It was a great team win," said head coach Mike McConomy. "The defense worked together and was able to limit a dangerous offense and Bryce Thomas (11 saves) played another great game."

A four goal, one assist effort by Colin Sullivan led the offense. Zach Labrecque (4a) and KJ Kessler both finished with two goals while Chase Barber, Morgan Smith, and Anthony Carson each added one.

TRACK

In a tightly contested, regular season ender on Monday, May 8, visiting Solanco held off the hosting Pioneers by nearly identical scores. The Pioneer girls suffered a 72-78 loss while the boys fell 79-71.

"Both meets were close, making the last events look really critical," said head coach Cal Esh, "but there were lots of little things throughout the meet that could have gone either way."

L-S won 9 of the 18 events, including one relay. Elly Bruner, with top measures in the long, triple, and high jump as well as a win in the 300 hurdles, led the scoring. Maggie Swarr was just as impressive, winning all three throwing events. She and Bruner joined Heron Gaudet and Olivia Zimmerman for a 4x100 relay win. Also picking up a win was Lyndi Wall in the 100.

The boys had a more balanced approach with only two multiple event winners on the day. Carson Coleman won the 100 and 200 while Parker Stoner led a sweep in the 3200 (Colin Whitaker 2nd and Smith 3rd) and then anchored the winning 4x800 relay with Andrew Cramer, Michael Colosi and Whitaker leading the way.

Other winners included Ben Devine (mile), Eric Doutrich (800), Aidan Wiley (pole vault) and Danny Jones (javelin).

A handful of players competed in the Manheim Township relays on Saturday, May 6. Swarr, who won the javelin overall) and Kelsey McTaggart finished second as did Braden Bauer and Danny Jones in the same event. Gaudet and Zimmerman medaled in the discus and shot.

SOFTBALL

The softball team continued its run of five straight games with a disappointing 6-4 loss to Ephrata on Thursday, May 4 and followed with an expected 16-3 romp over winless Lebanon on Friday. They capped the regular season with a much-needed 3-0 win over Conestoga Valley Monday, May 8. That set up an anticipated matchup between Ephrata and CV on Tuesday. "We needed CV to beat Ephrata to get into the L-L playoffs," said head coach Earl Rutledge. That didn't happen.

A victory by Ephrata gave the Mounts a 9-6 section record, the same as L-S. Ephrata would, however, qualify for the playoffs via tiebreaker. They beat L-S two out of the three game series.

L-S and Ephrata each scored three times in the fourth inning on Thursday. L-S pulled ahead on a two out error that plated Brooke Zuber (3-4) who reached with a base hit.

The Mounts, with three singles, a walk, and an L-S error, took the lead for good with a three-run sixth. They outhit the Pioneers 9-7 and picked up the win despite four errors.

One day later, L-S extended its 6-0 lead with a ten-run sixth inning and outhit the Cedars 18-9. Zuber (4RBI) and Mackenzie Maki (2RBI) both connected with home runs in the sixth. Zuber, who went 3-5, added a solo shot in the third while Paige Baxter (2-4) added a three-run homer to get things rolling in the first inning. She also fanned 10 batters and gave up seven hits in the lopsided win.

In Monday's key win over CV, Maura Savoca pitched a shutout, striking out eight and giving up five hits. Both teams finished with five hits and one committed error.

L-S scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to prevail.

"Maura pitched a great game and Chloe Meck made a diving catch that saved us from going down two runs in the first inning," said Rutledge. "Their pitcher, who is going to West Chester, was really good (9K) and I think all three of our runs were unearned."

TENNIS

The boys' tennis team battled defending District champ Dallastown, this year seeded third at 14-2, on Thursday, May 4, and came home with a 4-0 loss. The Pioneers were seeded sixth in the district tournament with a 12-2 record.

BASEBALL

The baseball team closed the regular season with a 6-5 thriller over Lebanon on May 5 and took care of CV (7-1) on Monday, May 8 leaving them in second place of Section Two with an 11-4 record (behind 12-3 Ephrata), thus qualifying for the L-L League playoffs.

L-S looked to take control of the Cedars early, jumping out to 3-0 and 5-1 leads before giving up four runs in the top of the fourth. Mason Coe's (2-3, 2RBI) two out single in the bottom of the sixth plated Justin White (2-3), who reached on a base hit, with the winning run.

Peyton Harsh, with six strikeouts and one walk, was the winning pitcher. Coe recorded the last out to earn the save.

The Pioneers swept the 3-game series against CV with a closer than it looked 7-1 final. With just a 1-0 lead after four complete innings, LS rallied for five runs in the fifth to seal the deal. Long picked up the win on the hill with six strikeouts and two walks. Anthony Turek struck out two and walked one in the seventh.

Harsh was 3-4 with 1RBI and Will Bailey was 2-3. Both Turek and Brenneman pushed in two runs each.