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Central's hit parade allows Panthers to top Red Lion


The offensive juggernaut that is the Central York softball team continued to maul opposing pitching Thursday afternoon against YAIAA Division I rival Red Lion.

The Panthers plated the first five batters to come to the plate in the bottom of the first as they ran away with a 12-1 win over the Lions at Central York High School. The game was called after the top of the fifth.

"We are very fortunate to have a senior-heavy team that has played a lot of softball," said Central York coach Shane Walker. "These kids play all year round. I like our one to nine. There is not a big drop off. Everybody produces. This is a fun group. They get along with each other and pick each other up."

Central York (4-0, 3-0 Division I) has scored 10 or more runs in each of its games this season while winning by a margin of at least 10 runs.

"It's exciting," said pitcher Kayla Resh, who doubled twice. "We work hard and we want to do the best that we can."

The Panthers struck fast and early against Red Lion with an eight-batter, five-run first inning. The outburst was highlighted by run-scoring singles from senior center fielder Kelsey Shifflett and senior shortstop Kyla Caruso. Cleanup hitter Kelsey Wisner added an RBI triple.

Central York erupted for six more runs during a 10-batter fourth inning that featured a bases-clearing single by sophomore catcher Briannah Dobson, a two-run single by No. 3 hitter Caruso and a run-scoring base hit from No. 9 hitter Alyssa Stonebraker.

"We started off this season leaving a few runners on," Walker said. "We've talked a lot about finishing an inning. Another big thing is hitting line drives and getting base hits. We stress doing your part and letting somebody behind you pick you up."

Caruso is one of two Panthers that will continue their softball careers at the collegiate level. Caruso will play at Messiah College, while Resh plans to play at Arcadia University, north of Philadelphia. Wisner probably could have played softball in college but plans on playing basketball for Randolph-Macon College in Virginia.

It was more than enough support for Resh. The senior right-hander fanned eight and walked four in checking Red Lion on two hits.

"I struggled a little bit," Resh said. "I wasn't getting (strikes on) the low ones."

Resh pitched three innings of no-hit ball before Red Lion's Brynn Leiphart opened the fourth with a triple off the center fielder's head. Leiphart was left stranded as Resh got two strikeouts and a pop out to second to escape with the shutout intact.

"I trust in my defense," Resh said. "They are very solid."

Red Lion (0-2, 0-2 Division I) scored in the top of the fifth as No. 8 hitter Haylee Taylor reached on an infield error, moved to second on a walk and came around on a one-out single by leadoff hitter Hailey Inguanti.

"We are young," said Red Lion coach Troy Eveler. "(Central York) is a good team. We'll continue to get better."

Central York 12, Red Lion 1

Red Lion00001—121Central York5016x—12121

RL, Megan Teal and Serena Zearfoss. CY, Kayla Resh and Briannah Dobson.

SO-BB — RL, Teal 2-2. CY, Resh 8-4; W — Resh; L — Teal; 2B — CY, Resh 2; 3B — RL, Brynn Leiphart, CY, Kelsey Wisner.