Chambersburg's 'murderers' row' getting hot at the right time
Any pitcher that has faced the Chambersburg softball team knows the Trojans boast a number of heavy hitters up and down their batting order.
But what happens when that pitcher faces those sluggers one, after another, after another?
Pure chaos.
In the top of the seventh inning of Thursday's District 3 championship triumph over Penn Manor, Chambersburg proved how dangerous its batting order really us - bringing six runs across off six hits, including a two-run home run to cap off the Trojans' dominant performance.
In the 13-2 victory, the Lady Trojans racked up 18 hits.
First you're met with speed in Lexi Leedy and Alexis Estep. Then the power - Leah Hunt, Sammie Bender, Dori Loukopoulos and Laken Myers. Followed by Caeley Etter and Maggie Myers, before Taylor Myers flips the order back over.
Thus, the birth of Chamberbsurg's Murderers' Row.
MORE: Chambersburg leaves no doubt, wins 2nd straight district title
Maggie Myers kicked things off for Chambersburg in the top of the seventh with a single to left, and a double steal to get into scoring position. Taylor Myers, who was moved back into the ninth batting position last week, brought her home with a single to left. Leedy led off the order with a double to center, followed by an RBI single by Estep. Leah Hunt hit a two RBI double, followed by a two-run home run smacked to right-center by Loukopoulos.
"Up and down the lineup everyone was hitting," Chambersburg coach Chris Skultety said after Thursday's win. "You have all that power right there in the middle of our order. It's like a Murderers' Row, pick your poison. If you're going to pitch around Leah, you have to deal with (Sammie) Bender and Loukopoulos, and Laken (Myers) is on fire right now too."
On top of Chambersburg's powerful hitting, the Trojans' bullpen is also not one to be trifled with.
Chambersburg pitcher Laken Myers gave up just four hits in the championship victory and boasts a 7-1 record, while Leah Hunt (5-2) and Sammie Bender (6-2) round out the stellar pitching rotation.
"We have a lot of confidence and a lot of intensity now," Myers said. "We know all it takes is one hit and then it keeps rolling. It gives me confidence as a pitcher to know that I can give up a couple runs, but I know my team is right behind me, and anyone on our team can start it off for us with the hits. I have all the confidence in the world in this team."
Chambersburg played through the regular season with a target on its back as the reigning district champions, and enters the toughest side of the PIAA Class 6A bracket this week. But the Trojans have been eyeing that state title since their semifinal appearance last year, and are ready to prove that Chambersburg is the team to beat.
"They could hear it in the back of their minds - it's always about this pitcher, or this team - it's never about the Chambersburg Trojans," Skultety said. "Going back-to-back is a great accomplishment, but these girls know what kind of talent, and what kind of team they have, and its going to take that kind of effort in the next four games if we want to do what we want to do."