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Wet weather causes interesting storyline for Monday


Only one of the L-L softball playoff games was played to completion on Saturday but the manner in which the day ended caused an interesting storyline as play resumes on Monday evening.

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The 10 am game between Manheim Central and Conestoga Valley ended in a 6-1 victory for the Barons in which MC pitcher Sara McKee struck out 10 CV batters while only giving up two hits. The Barons will have to wait until Monday evening to learn their semifinal opponents though. Rain interfered directly after the 10am game and the rest of the first round was rescheduled for Monday. Games will take place at 4, 6 and 8pm at Garrett Field. As for the Barons, they’ll be matched up against the winner of Hempfield and Annville-Cleona who will play Monday at 8pm.

The 12pm game between Section Four champion Pequea Valley and Section One runner-up Manheim Township got underway but was called in the bottom of the first. In the top of the inning The Blue Streaks took a 2-0 lead thanks to a Kathleen Zogorski inside-the-park home that also scored Reilly Gearheart.

Then, the light drizzle turned into a downpour.

When it was Pequea Valley’s turn to bat in the first inning, the rain picked up and looked to have caused a Manheim Township throwing error that resulted in a Pequea Valley run. The rain also looked to have an effect on Gearhart’s pitching. The game was suspended later in the inning. After the game, I caught up with Blue Streaks coach Kirk Luther who asked the umpire to call the game several times before Pequea Valley scored.

When asked if the game should have been called sooner, had this to say:

“Absolutely. My pitcher couldn’t grip the ball,” he said.  “It was difficul tot throw. It should have been called.”

Luther also didn’t mince words when asked if he thought the umpire’s delayed decision cost his team a run.

“Absolutely. But we’ll be back Monday and keep battling.”

Can you imagine the emotions if Pequea Valley ultimately wins by one run?

Monday can’t get here soon enough.