Hempfield falls to Lower Dauphin, bows out of districts
Hempfield’s district playoff run ended Thursday night after falling, 7-3 to no. 4 seeded Lower Dauphin.
Alongside the normal jitters and butterflies associated with a playoff game, Falcons head coach Joel Schreiner was feeling a little extra anxiety as Thursday's game approached.
“I was telling people before the game that this is the most antsy I’ve ever been before a game,” Schreiner saidThere’s a lot of girls over there that I care about.”
Schreiner was an assistant to Hempfield coach Brian Lohr for eight seasons with numerous teams.
“To be honest, I almost feel like a dad sometimes,” Lohr said.
Hempfield would tally the first run of the game in the top of the first but it was Lower Dauphin who would truly storm out of the gate offensively, plating two runs in the first inning and three in the second.
Lower Dauphin's Paige Hollinger for three of the Falcons runs and went 2-for-3 on the day.
In addition to securing a state tournament berth, the Falcons has also earned a date with no. 1 seed Chambersburg in the District 3 Class AAAA semifinals on Tuesday.
“To get to the championship game and defend our championship, we need to beat the best,” Schreiner said.
Lower Dauphin defeated Chambersburg on May 19 by a score of 6-3.
For Hempfield, the loss concluded a solid 2016 campaign, which included an 18-7 record and him L-L League championship.
Thursday also marked the final appearance of Hempfield senior captains Lauren at Lichtenwalner and Kyra Brakefield.
“Our seniors, especially Lauren and Kyra, have left their DNA in these underclassman,” Loh said. “I brought all these younger players here today because I wanted them to have this feeling and see this dynamic tension.”