Keiva Middleton struck out 11 Central Dauphin batters and gave up just four hits but L-S, the defending state champs, struggled on offense and fell short, 2-0 in the season-opener Friday, March 25. Five days later, the senior fanned 14 batters, walked two and cracked a solo home run in Lampeter's 1-0 victory over CV.

"Keiva did not give up an earned run," said first year head coach Earl Rutledge. "The CD pitcher painted the outside corner, and we did not adjust (7 strikeouts). Only Keiva and Julia Gerard (centerfield) are playing where they played last year so we have room for improvement."

The Rams took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, reaching on a dropped third strike and eventually scoring on a double.

After 12 straight outs, Gerard reached on a base hit but was left stranded.

The Rams gained an insurance run in the sixth on a pair of two out base hits, a steal and a wild pitch.

L-S threatened in the seventh, loading the bases on singles by Middleton and Gabby Hiles and a two out walk before a strike out ended the inning.

L-S finished with four hits against CV. Maura Savoca had two of them and Gerard opened the game with a base hit.

Rutledge, a Solanco grad who was recently inducted into the ASA Softball of Pennsylvania Hall of Fame as a pitcher, takes over for Gene Charles who retired.

"I was an assistant for three years at Unionville High School," said Rutledge. "And I've been doing pitching lessons with L-S pitchers the last seven years so this was a golden opportunity."

TENNIS

After three shutouts, two which the Pioneers won 5-0 (Penn Manor and Octorara), L-S fell to 2-2 with a tight 4-3 loss to Donegal Friday, March 25.

L-S held a 2-1 lead after doubles play but the Indians took three of four singles to steal the victory. Cole and Spencer Teaman earned an 8-2 No. 2 doubles win while Kyle Pawson and Jack Harnish made it 2-0 with an 8-0 result at No. 3.

Lampeter's last point went to C. Teaman with his 6-1, 6-3 No. 4 win over Connor Hyle.

Andrew Reidenbaugh went the distance with Jacob Erb at No. 2 but fell short 6-1, 10-4 after taking the first set 6-3.

BOYS' LACROSSE

Cole Sullivan scored six times and dished out one assist in the Pioneers 2022 opener against Elizabethtown Friday, March 25. The hosts dominated from the get-go, scoring eight goals in the first eight minutes and 11 in the first quarter en route to a commanding 20-2 victory.

L-S put forth a balanced attack with nine different players scoring. Zach Lebreque (2a) and Barrett Denlinger finished with hat tricks while Stewart McClain (2a) and Jack Filius (1a) each scored twice. Single goal scorers included Gavin Denlinger (1a), Berkeley Wagner (1a), Connor Hudson and Morgan Smith. Chase Barber added two assists and Owen Smith one as L-S pounded the E-town goal with 36 shots.

Bryce Thomas recorded five saves in the win.

At Garden Spot Tuesday, the Pioneers put up another dominating effort, stopping Garden Spot 18-2 after jumping to a 10-0 first quarter lead.

B. Denlinger led the way with five goals while Labreque dished out three assists and scored four times. Sullivan (4g, 1a), McClain (3g, 1a) and Filius (2g) also contributed.

GIRLS' LACROSSE

The girls' lacrosse team traveled to Twin Valley Friday, March 25 for their season opener and struggled against last year's District 3 2A runner-up, dropping an 18-1 result.

"The defense has been working on checking in and checking out to create a strong presence against drives, cuts and passes and we managed to disrupt quite a few of those as the game wore on," said head coach Marshall Krebs. "The defense had to adjust to TV's quickness, which they did, but TV had scored five times before I called my first timeout. We did create six caused turnovers."

Rowan Kimmel, the team's leading scorer last year, prevented the shutout.

"With speed, skill and experience, our midfield will be our greatest strength," said Krebs.

The Pioneers righted the ship on a chilly Monday afternoon. With a 37-shot attack, L-S earned a 17-3 non-league victory over Berks Catholic. They jumped out to a 10-0 first half lead and never looked back.

Gawne's four goals and one assist led the offense. Kimmel (2a) and Ryann Logan both secured hat tricks, Hannah Cisssne scored twice, and Kelly Hostetter, Eleanor Moyer, and Trinity Wise chipped in with one goal each. Abigail Wolff dished out one assist and in goal Dilling needed just three saves to earn the win.

A 25-0 shutout against Garden Spot Tuesday pushed Lampeter's early record to 2-1. Kimmel (2a) poured in an impressive nine goals as the hosts built 16-0 advantage at the half. Gawne (4g, 2a), Logan (3g, 4a), Cissne (2g, 1a), Garrett (2g, 1a), Wise (2g, 2a), Hostetter (1g, 1a), Saurbaugh (1g) and Welchans (1g, 1a) also contributed.

TRACK

With four firsts from Teagan Weaver (100, 200, long and triple jumps) and a sweep by the pole vault team (Mitchell Livengood, Christian Medina, and Aidan Wile), the Pioneers out-pointed Lebanon 101-49 last Tuesday, March 29.

Other multiple winners included Zach Mulron (110 and 300 hurdles and 4x100 relay), Aiden Jones (javelin and shot put) and Colin Whitaker (mile and 4x800 relay). Jordan Thode added a top throw in the discus.

The girls' team also got some strong performances in a 92-57 victory. Maddie Weichler (200, 400), Maddie Malcolm (100 and 300 hurdles) and Maggie Swarr (shot and javelin) both won two individual events while Lyndi Wall took the 100 and Elly Bruner won the high jump, and both teamed with Malcolm and Anya Myers to capture the 4x100 relay.

The girls also swept the high jump with Alexis Moran and Isabella Hirschmann following Bruner.

BASEBALL

The baseball team rebounded from its tough 5-4 loss to Twin Valley on March 29 with a crushing 13-3 victory over visiting Conestoga Valley last Wednesday. The Pioneers scored nine in the first inning and never looked back. The Bucks committed three errors in that first inning and Andrew Whitehead moved things along with a three-run homer. Gioivani Malatesta, also with two hits, joined Whitehead as the only batters with multiple hits. Isaiah Parido chipped in with two RBIs.

Peyton Harsh struck out four in four innings. Parker Stoner and Mason Coe each pitched an inning and combined for three strikeouts and three walks.