It’s the time of the season when goals are in sight, or reset. A time when teams reach back for that extra gear to get over the top.
Elizabethtown and Lampeter-Strasburg both had incentives impelling them forward Wednesday in Lampeter.
For the Bears it was putting some distance between themselves and the Pioneers, as well as Ephrata, in their quest to nail down the No. 2 seed from Section Two of the Lancaster-Lebanon League playoffs.
For the Pioneers, getting their footing after an 0-5 stumble out of the gate, it was securing a return to the District Three Class 4A playoffs, where they are the defending champion.
Of course, only one team would emerge satisfied on this sunny afternoon, and that team was Elizabethtown (10-3 L-L, 12-5 overall).
Taking advantage of some generosity in the field by the Pioneers (6-7, 6-10), and a familiarity with L-S starter Maura Savoca, the Bears opened a four-run lead after an inning and a half and held off a late L-S rally to win 9-7.
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/34/834b6172-0823-11ef-91ae-53b784eeca95/6632eca123384.image.jpg?resize=667%2C500)
Lampeter-Strasburg’s Lilly Kuhns (21) scores as Elizabethtown catcher Astyn Calaman (25) looks on during seventh inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/d6/8d690830-0823-11ef-b3bf-93304981bec4/6632ecb21c0bd.image.jpg?resize=571%2C500)
Elizabethtown shortstop Chloe Wilkinson (7) makes the throw from her knees against Lampeter-Strasburg during seventh inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/a0/9a082f30-0823-11ef-a7af-a7c59c9be07d/6632ecc7470ed.image.jpg?resize=478%2C500)
Elizabethtown right fielder Kaelin Griffin (23) makes the catch for the out against Lampeter-Strasburg during sixth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/eb/aeb7fbfe-0823-11ef-8623-1f79251cd92e/6632ece9f4004.image.jpg?resize=511%2C500)
Elizabethtown second baseman Ava Fair (4) makes the throw to first for the out against Lampeter-Strasburg during sixth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/d1/bd18a86a-0823-11ef-a021-6f30afd96c68/6632ed021d1d0.image.jpg?resize=844%2C500)
Elizabethtown shortstop Chloe Wilkinson (7) goes all out but can not make the catch against Lampeter-Strasburg during fifth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/66/c6642e62-0823-11ef-9de3-6b00a0593040/6632ed11ae1c3.image.jpg?resize=459%2C500)
Lampeter-Strasburg right fielder Margaret Ellis (15) makes the catch for the out against Elizabethtown during fourth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/3f/d3f093b8-0823-11ef-8fdb-67865b3bae12/6632ed286cb83.image.jpg?resize=578%2C500)
Lampeter-Strasburg pitcher Maura Savoca (1) fires one across the plate against Elizabethtown during third inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/a9/da97cdf8-0823-11ef-bce6-f375ac1df23b/6632ed3394525.image.jpg?resize=484%2C500)
Elizabethtown pitcher Savannah Bradley (26) fires one across the plate against Lampeter-Strasburg during third inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/02/e024aa02-0823-11ef-99e6-eb5a137b51d7/6632ed3ce044c.image.jpg?resize=642%2C500)
Elizabethtown shortstop Chloe Wilkinson (7) gets Lampeter-Strasburg’s Natalie Hill (32) trying to take second base during third inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/ce/ece4290c-0823-11ef-accd-97e7c745a222/6632ed524afb7.image.jpg?resize=588%2C500)
Elizabethtown’s Astyn Calaman (25) smacks an RBI double against Lampeter-Strasburg during second inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/39/f3902e54-0823-11ef-844d-573f1ab76860/6632ed5d7a2b9.image.jpg?resize=616%2C500)
Elizabethtown’s Cassidy Leitzel (18) is safe at home after a collision with Lampeter-Strasburg catcher Chloe Meck (8) during second inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/a3/fa3daa9c-0823-11ef-8be2-af129b83f018/6632ed68abd57.image.jpg?resize=554%2C500)
Lampeter-Strasburg third baseman Logan Crandall (13) tries to throw out an Elizabethtown runner during second inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/ea/fead8f70-0823-11ef-a04e-2ff440aee62a/6632ed7023d4b.image.jpg?resize=614%2C500)
Elizabethtown’s Kaelin Griffin (23) lays down a bunt against Lampeter-Strasburg during first inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
![Elizabethtown vs. Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/85/085bff52-0824-11ef-9f93-a316ee2a08a4/6632ed805f235.image.jpg?resize=546%2C500)
Elizabethtown’s Kiera Davis (8) hits an RBI single against Lampeter-Strasburg during first inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown vs Lampeter-Strasburg - L-L League softball [photos]
Lampeter-Strasburg’s Lilly Kuhns (21) scores as Elizabethtown catcher Astyn Calaman (25) looks on during seventh inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown shortstop Chloe Wilkinson (7) makes the throw from her knees against Lampeter-Strasburg during seventh inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown right fielder Kaelin Griffin (23) makes the catch for the out against Lampeter-Strasburg during sixth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown second baseman Ava Fair (4) makes the throw to first for the out against Lampeter-Strasburg during sixth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown shortstop Chloe Wilkinson (7) goes all out but can not make the catch against Lampeter-Strasburg during fifth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Lampeter-Strasburg right fielder Margaret Ellis (15) makes the catch for the out against Elizabethtown during fourth inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Lampeter-Strasburg pitcher Maura Savoca (1) fires one across the plate against Elizabethtown during third inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown pitcher Savannah Bradley (26) fires one across the plate against Lampeter-Strasburg during third inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown shortstop Chloe Wilkinson (7) gets Lampeter-Strasburg’s Natalie Hill (32) trying to take second base during third inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown’s Chloe Wilkinson (7) scores against Lampeter-Strasburg during second inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown’s Astyn Calaman (25) smacks an RBI double against Lampeter-Strasburg during second inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown’s Cassidy Leitzel (18) is safe at home after a collision with Lampeter-Strasburg catcher Chloe Meck (8) during second inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Lampeter-Strasburg third baseman Logan Crandall (13) tries to throw out an Elizabethtown runner during second inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown’s Kaelin Griffin (23) lays down a bunt against Lampeter-Strasburg during first inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown’s Ava Fair (4) scores against Lampeter-Strasburg during first inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Elizabethtown’s Kiera Davis (8) hits an RBI single against Lampeter-Strasburg during first inning action of an L-L League section two softball game at Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lampeter on Wednesday May 1, 2024.
- CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
“I was really confident going up there,” said Chloe Wilkinson, who drove in four runs with an RBI double, a two-run single and an RBI groundout that capped the Bears’ scoring.
“I was surprised they started (uniform) No. 1 (Savoca),” Wilkinson said. “I think we know her pitches pretty well. The first game we played them — a 10-4 victory — we got hold of her quick.”
The Bears chased Savoca five batters into the third inning Wednesday, ultimately touching her for eight runs, five earned, on nine hits. She walked three and struck out three.
Natalie Hill came on to pitch the final five innings, allowing just three hits and a run, Ava Fair scoring on Wilkinson’s groundout after tripling to lead off the seventh. Leading to the second guess, why not start Hill?
“Last time we played them — an 8-6 win by the Bears — she lost to them, gave up a five-spot in the last inning,” Pioneers coach Earl Rutledge Jr. said. “We just figured we’d go with Maura.
“We just made a couple of errors behind her.”
Fair (3-for-5, 4 runs) doubled to lead off the game, scoring on Keira Davis’ bad-hop single off shortstop Paige Baxter. The real damage came in the next two innings as the No. 8 and No. 9 batters, Cassidy Leitzel and Kaelin Griffin, did what table-setters do, turning over the lineup.
Leitzel and Griffin each reached on an error leading off the second, Griffin on an error on her sacrifice bunt. After Fair reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Leitzel, Wilkinson doubled in Fair and Astyn Calaman doubled Wilkinson home.
The Pioneers got one back as Hill drove in Chloe Meck in the bottom of the second, but the bottom of the Bears’ lineup instigated another uprising in the third as Leitzel singled and Griffin walked. Fair singled home Leitzel and Wilkinson (2-for-5, 2 runs) singled to center, plating Griffin and Fair.
When Julie Zook stroked the Bears’ fourth hit of the frame, Hill relieved Savoca, who eventually took her place in left field. Hill got Calaman to pop out to second baseman Aubree Morrow in short right, but with Morrow heading towards the outfield, Wilkinson alertly tagged up at third and scored.
The Pioneers chopped into the Bears’ 8-1 lead with Savoca’s RBI infield single and Baxter’s sac fly in the third, but still trailed 9-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Julia Gerard led off the L-S seventh with an infield single and went first-to-third on a passed ball to Savoca. It was a bold, and costly, decision as Gerard aggravated a previous ankle injury sliding into the bag and had to leave the game.
Lilly Kuhns came on to run for Gerard, scoring on Savoca’s single. Savoca stole second as Baxter struck out for the first out and scored when Fair misplayed Meck’s grounder at second.
After a flyout, Izzy King doubled to deep left center, scoring Savoca and Meck, and suddenly things were getting tight for the Bears. Tighter still as first baseman Leah Aldous mishandled Wilkinson’s throw from short on Alaina Brenneman’s potential third-out grounder.
Zook zipped her throw from third to Aldous on Logan Crandall’s grounder to quash the rally and the danger passed.
“We had a lot of fight,” Rutledge said, “We just came up a little short.”
A little short is what it appears the Pioneers will be in their hunt for a district playoff berth, as they currently sit 13th in the 10-team Class 4A field. “We still have a shot,” Rutledge said. “It will probably be on the last day when we find out, like we did last year.”
Meanwhile, with a two-game lead on Ephrata (8-5, 10-5) for second place behind Solanco and two games to play — including the regular season valedictory in Ephrata on Monday — the Bears control their fate.
“We’ve got a couple more games, CV (Conestoga Valley) on Friday and Ephrata Monday,” Wilkinson said. “I think we’re going to be good.”
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