Softball: A-C tunes up for showdown with Pequea Valley

The Annville-Cleona softball team has a date with Section Four arch rival Pequea Valley on Friday. And perhaps with destiny, too.

A-C, which leads Pequea by a game in the section title race with two contests remaining, tuned up for the showdown with the Braves by routing Columbia 16-1 in four innings on Wednesday.

Senior pitcher Emma Lerchen led the way, tossing a four-inning one-hitter with seven strikeouts and going 2-for-2 with a triple and four RBIs at the plate as A-C improved to 11-3 in Section Four.

Morgan Zimmerman pitched in with a 3-for-3 day at the plate and Michaela Singer (triple) and Christy Snyder (double) contributed extra-base hits to the blowout.

MCCASKEY 8, CEDAR CREST 6 (8 INNINGS) >> In South Lebanon, the Falcons let one slip away in extra innings after leading 6-2 after two.

Emma Spang and Jenna Sloss were bright spots in defeat with three hits apiece, and Molly Finley drove in a pair for Cedar Crest.

HARRISBURG 6, PALMYRA 5 >> In Harrisburg, Palmyra endured a narrow setback despite outhitting the hosts 7-6.

Kayla Bonawitz slugged a triple to lead Palmyra and Cat Wicker added a double in a losing cause.

MANHEIM CENTRAL 8, NORTHERN LEBANON 3 >> Under the lights in Manheim, the Vikings were done in the Barons' five-run sixth-inning outburst en route to the setback.

Northern Lebanon got the jump with a run in the top of the first but couldn't muster another until the seventh with the game already out of reach.

Also on Wednesday, Donegal blanked Elco 10-0 in five innings, and Lebanon dropped a 13-1 decision to Conestoga Valley, also in five innings.