Skip to main content

W2W4 in Hanover-Adams: Week of May 16


It may feel like the season just started, but the playoffs are in full swing in the YAIAA.

The league's lacrosse, tennis and track championships are already completed, and this week the league tournaments continue. While no Hanover-area teams qualified for the baseball tournament, Adams County will be well represented in the softball playoffs.

The District 3 playoffs are also kicking off for lacrosse and track and field  this week. District tournaments for softball and baseball begin next week, meaning there will be plenty of action going on.

So while there aren't too many local high school teams playing this week, the ones that are have high stakes. Here's a look at what to watch:

YAIAA softball semifinals 

Littlestown vs. Central York, 5 p.m. Monday at Susquehannock: The Thunderbolts (16-2, 14-1 Division III) have been terrific this season on their way to a second straight straight Division III title. But now, they face their toughest test yet in a Central York team (19-1, 14-1 Division I) that has dominated the YAIAA this season. It should be a great matchup, with Littlestown's deep lineup trying to generate offense against a Panthers defense and pitching staff that has only allowed 24 runs in 20 games so far. At the same time, Central will need to figure out how to score against Littlestown's McKenzie Somers, who has posted a 0.95 ERA this season. So while the Panthers may be the favorites, there's enough talent on both sides for this game to be interesting. The Bolts should be motivated to knock off the defending YAIAA champs after losing in a league semifinal last year.

Delone Catholic vs. Susquehannock, 5 p.m. Monday at Spring Grove: The Squirettes rolled to another Division IV title in 2016, but if they want to reach their second straight YAIAA title game they'll have to beat a Susquehannock squad they've already lost to this season. When the two teams met on April 4, Delone hung with the Warriors for most of the game but allowed four runs in the seventh and lost, 7-2. If the Squirettes can avoid that one bad inning this time, Monday's game should be a battle. Delone ace Cassie Rickrode (1.67 ERA, 112 strikeouts) has been fantastic all year, and the Squirettes' lineup is experienced and loaded. And with Susquehannock playing somewhat inconsistent down the stretch (4-3 the last three weeks), Delone may be in a good position.

District 3 lacrosse playoffs 

New Oxford at Manheim Township, 4 p.m. Tuesday: It's been a banner year for the Colonials, who reached double digits in victories and qualified for the district playoffs for the first time in program history. Their reward however, is a first-round game against seven-time defending District 3 champion Manheim Township. But while the Blue Streaks (11-6) only have a slightly better record than the Colonials (10-5), they play a very challenging schedule and still won the Lancaster-Lebanon League title. New Oxford, on the other hand, struggled against York-Adams powerhouses York Catholic and Susquehannock this season. So while they've got a chance, the 11th-seeded Colonials are the underdogs in this one. Unless star Braxtin Reddinger completely takes over, New Oxford's season may come to an end.

District 3 track and field championships

Shippensburg University, 2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday: Both Friday and Saturday's competitions will run throughout the day and feature the best track athletes in the area, including South Western's Lynne Mooradian, New Oxford's Madi Smith and Gettysburg Ravaughn Dillard. Those athletes and more will look to qualify for the PIAA championships.