L-L Softball playoffs will be electric on Saturday.
The matchups for the L-L playoffs this Saturday at Garrett Park are finally set and are primed for excitement. After Conestoga Valley defeated Solanco Thursday to claim the Section Two title; the first round has been finalized at last. With a pool of seriously talented teams competing against each other, Saturday should be nothing less than spectacular (if the rain holds off, that is). Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Here are the matchups for Saturday.
10am: Conestoga Valley vs Manheim Central
CV defeated Solanco, 7-3 in the Section Two tiebreaker on Thursday evening to claim their first section championship in school history. They’ll have to cleanse their pallets of that taste quickly though as they draw the first game Saturday afternoon.
The Barons appeared to be getting hot towards the regular season but suffered a bad 12-0 loss to Donegal in the Section Three tiebreaker in which they committed six errors. It’ll be vital for Manheim Central to put that game in the past.
12pm Pequea Valley vs Manheim Township
Pequea Valley has looked great at times this season but has also looked painfully average at times. The Braves had the fortitude to win the section Four tiebreaker against A-C after losing a grip on the section late last week. Pitcher Amanda Houck’s performance will be vital to the Braves success if the bats become inconsistent.
Township is making their first appearance in leagues since the realignment. The Blue Streaks can’t rest on their laurels against a resilient Pequea Valley squad however. Manheim Township’s X-factor could be freshman third basemen Reilly Gearhart who has hit four homeruns and three triples so far in 2013.
2pm Donegal vs Solanco
Much like Manheim Central, it’ll be vital for Donegal (15-2 in league play) to put their tiebreaker game in the past. Head coach Wayne Emenheiser doesn’t think it’ll be an issue.
“A game like that doesn’t happen very often,” Emenheiser said after the game. “They know that if we run into them [Manheim Central] again next week, it won’t be the same.”
Luckily for the Golden Mules, they won’t have to wait long after suffering a 7-3 loss to Conestoga Valley in the Section Two tiebreaker on Thursday. There will be absolutely no room for errors against Donegal though.
4pm: Hempfield vs Annville Cleona
The Black Knights went 16-0 in league play this year and are the likely favorite in this matchup.
Annville-Cleona (11-6 in league play) had a knockdown, drag out race with Pequea Valley for the Section Four title but came up short in the tiebreaker game.