Littlestown's Laux steps in to lead softball
For the second straight year, Littlestown athletic director Jeff Laux is filling in as the interim coach for the Thunderbolts' softball team.
It's under much different circumstances this time.
Last year, Laux took the reins after former coach Henry Waldrop resigned shortly before the season started — and not enough time for a new coach to be found.
This spring, though, Laux has taken over due to serious injuries coach Ken Shafer suffered in a motorcycle accident last Friday.
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Shafer's motorcycle collided with a deer on Mummasburg Road in Cumberland Township and he was airlifted by helicopter to York Hospital with "non-life threatening injuries," according to police on the scene.
"It's obviously serious when you have an accident like that, but Ken is in good spirits," Laux said. "The job is his when he's ready to return. Whether it's this year, which we aren't really expecting, or next year."
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Shafer assisted Laux a year ago after resigning from New Oxford following a 16-year run leading the Colonials' softball program.
"Ken is an experienced coach and I believe he was having a good time coaching the team this year," Laux said.
Littlestown entered Wednesday's action fifth in the Class 4A power rankings with the top 10 teams qualifying for the district tournament.
"We play a tough schedule and hopefully we can win enough games to get into districts," Laux said. "We feel that if we get there, that we'll be ready to compete."