Highlights: Chambersburg softball 1 win from Division title

It seems as though the Chambersburg softball team has a flair for the dramatic.

The Lady Trojans, who have been projected as the team to beat this year, made things interesting for themselves when they lost three Mid Penn Commonwealth Division games in the middle of the season. But those losses just set Chambersburg up for an epic battle for the division title.

Chambersburg has evened the series with Cedar Cliff (3-2 win over the Colts last week) and now, after a 7-0 win over Cumberland Valley, the Trojans are locked in a two-way tie for the division against Mifflin County. Chambersburg travels to Mifflin County to take on the Huskies Thursday in the final game of the regular season.

"The goal is to go win the division title, and get a home playoff game," Chambersburg coach Chris Skultety said. "We haven't lost at home in two years and there's a reason for that. This is our turf and we defend it well."

Tuesday's 7-0 win over Cumberland Valley provided a sneak peek of the dominant performance Chamberbsburg hopes to take into the post season. Leading the way was Leah Hunt, who had a strong night in the circle. "The Goose" threw a two-hit shutout and struck out 12 batters.

"We just had to keep on attacking them even when they attacked back, and the goal was to come out the winner (in those little battles)," Hunt said. "My riseball was working really well today and (catcher) Caeley (Etter) was calling some really good pitches there too."

The Trojans also got the bats moving, racking up 10 hits and had a few big extra bases early to take the wind out of Cumberland Valley.

"We came out hitting today," Skultety said. "Sammie (Bender's) two-out hit with the bases loaded in the second really busted things open for us. From the beginning we came out hitting and put some pressure on them right away."

Bender had four RBIs, while Hunt and Kirsten Pugh brought one run in apiece.

COMING IN CLUTCH: The Greencastle-Antrim baseball team overcame a one-run deficit in the top of the seventh inning to score three runs and reclaim the lead in a non-league game against Northeastern to win 8-6 to break a four-game losing streak.

Evan Maun hit a two-RBI single in the top of the seventh to take the lead, while Cade Bender was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in an insurance run.

Maun finished with two hits and three RBIs while Bender batted in two runs. Tanner Rock stayed composed on the mound in the seventh, when two walks put the game-tying run on base with two outs. Rock struck out the final batter in four pitches to end the game. Nathan Starliper earned the win in five innings of work and struck out six batters.

WALKOFF WIN: The McConnellsburg softball team, which is in the midst of one of its best seasons in recent history, upset the streaking Fannett-Metal Tigers in a walkoff win in eight innings, claiming an 8-7 SHL/ICC victory.

The Spartans loaded the bases with two hits and a walk in the bottom of the eighth and Fannett-Metal pitcher Brooke Harris walked in the game-winning run.

"I could tell their pitcher was getting tired," McConnellsburg coach Junior Swope said. "Kailey Swope was the batter and I made her take some pitches to get the walk. We play them pretty tough, and we've been hitting the ball pretty well lately."

SCORES

Baseball

Cumberland Valley 6, Chambersburg (6-13, 3-10 MPC) 0
McConnellsburg (8-7, 8-5 SHL/ 8-4 ICC) 6, Fannett-Metal (5-14, 4-10 SHL/ 3-9 ICC) 4
Northern Bedford 3, Forbes Road (5-8, 4-8 SHL/ 4-6 ICC) 2
Greencastle (10-6) 8, Northeastern 6
Shalom (11-3, 9-3 MDCC) 4, Broadfording 2

Softball

Chambersburg (15-4, 10-3 MPC) 7, Cumberland Valley 0
McConnellsburg (8-6, 7-6 SHL/7-4 ICC) 8, Fannett-Metal (13-4, 10-4 SHL/ 9-4 ICC) 7, 8 innings
Forbes Road (5-8, 5-7 SHL/ 5-5 ICC)13, Northern Bedford 0
Greencastle (14-5) 14, Northeastern 1, 6 innings

Boys track & field

Mercersburg Academy 97, Kiski Prep 48

Lacrosse

Girls, Trinity 16, Chambersburg (3-12, 1-11 MPC) 9

Girls soccer

Cumberland Valley Christian (8-5, 7-5 MDCC) 3, Calvary Christian 0

Tennis

Mercersburg Academy 6, Kiski Prep 1