More spring sports previews for you, compliments of Phil Glatfelter, who put together this L-L League Section 2 girls’ softball capsule:
Over the last few years, Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 foes Donegal and Lampeter-Strasburg have developed one of the state’s best rivalries.
But L-S and Donegal aren’t the only local teams with a good feud going.
In Section 2, Solanco and Elizabethtown appear to be poised to battle for the section title — and possibly a league crown as well.
Solanco, which was 16-8 overall and 12-4 in the section last year, drew mention as a team to beat in the L-L League from several coaches, including Tim Shoff of defending league champ L-S.
“We hope to compete in a very tough Section 2,” E-town coach Gary Wylde said.
That comment could be pointed straight at the Golden Mares, who the Bears (15-7, 13-3) beat 3-1 in 13 innings on the last day of the regular season to break the tie between the two last spring.
The teams played an equally-thrilling game in their first meeting, a 9-8 E-town victory, this season.
Conestoga Valley (13-6, 11-5) was in the running for a section title a year ago until three straight losses — including one each to E-town and Solanco — late in the season.
The Buckskins will have to manage without New Era All-Star Becky Benner, who was 12-5 with an 0.53 ERA and 223 strikeouts a year ago, but should have enough talent to stay in contention.
One of CV’s main claims to fame last year might have been it’s 2-1, two-day, 21-inning loss to Warwick, which won the Section 1 crown with a perfect 16-0 mark.
An improving Ephrata squad, which went 8-8 in the section — including a 2-1 win over CV — won’t be a pushover, while Garden Spot (5-11) and Cocalico (2-14) should also be stronger.
Here are brief looks at the teams in Section 2 in order of projected finish:
Solanco
COACH: Brett Miller (19th season).
2007 RECORD: 16-8 overall, 12-4 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Abby Bauermaster, Melissa Kline.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Mallory Benard, sr., 2B; Amber Greenleaf, sr., 1B-P; Morgan Jackson, sr., C-1B; Ashley Stump, sr., SS; Janielle Krantz, jr., CF; Kate Workman, jr., RF; Stephanie Graver, so., 3B.
OUTLOOK: In an improving league and section, the Mares should be among the best in both. Miller is looking at a good mix of veterans and youngsters. Part of their success, according to Miller, will depend on whether “we make the plays that are ‘outs,’ ‘outs.’ ”
Elizabethtown
COACH: Gary Wylde (second season).
2007 RECORD: 15-7 overall, 13-3 Section 2 champ.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Sarah Blantz, Jen Heisey, Shannon Marsico.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Jillian Ditzler, sr., P; Jen Dunkelberger, sr., 2B; Kara Hernley, sr., OF; Brianna Kuntz, sr., 3B; Olivia Kuntz, sr., 1B; Becca Bigler, jr., SS (New Era All-Star); Anna Libby, jr., C; Tricia Stone, jr, P-OF; Abby Fuhrman, so., OF; Mandi Shearer, so., OF.
OUTLOOK: The defending section champs have some experience back, including Bigler, who was a New Era All-Star and went on to be named one of the top 100 players in the country by Adidas last summer. But filling in for the graduated seniors will be the key to the team’s success this season.
Conestoga Valley
COACH: Larry Minney (third season).
2007 RECORD: 13-6 overall, 11-5 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Becky Benner (New Era All-Star), Jennifer Gossert, Laura French, Megan Epstein.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Andrea Brooks, sr., LF; Bree Eberly, sr., CF; Alyssa Walk, sr., SS; Megan Blank, jr., P; Chelse Hostetter, jr., 2B; Katy Plank, jr., C.
OUTLOOK: Key among the holes to fill is pitcher, where Benner was a New Era All-Star. The Buckskins are young, but Minney feels he has plenty of talent — enough to be very competitive in a strong Section 2.
Ephrata
COACH: Art Davis (third season).
2007 RECORD: 9-11 overall, 8-8 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Sara Burkholder, Laina Martin, Jolyn Stauffer, Caitlin Mull.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Dani Fassnacht, sr., 2B; Erica Ewing, sr., DP-C; Bri Gaskill, sr., 1B; Megan Matos, sr., P; Nicole Miller, sr., OF; Brittany Brock, jr., SS-OF; Steph Goshert, jr., OF-C; Liz Wechter, jr., OF.
OUTLOOK: Miller, who batted .321 last year, is a speedy leadoff hitter, and Matos struck out 122 batters, and comes into this season healthy and strong, Davis noted.
Garden Spot
COACH: Bill Weaver (12th season).
2007 RECORD: 7-12 overall, 5-11 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: None.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Emily Good, sr., 1B; Maria Horning, sr., SS; Holly Lehman, sr., CF; Amanda Patton, sr., 3B; Andrea Weaver, sr., LF; Alexis Gallagher, jr., P.
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Jen Hines, sr., C; Brandy Kurtz, jr., P-UTL; Mary Sprecher, jr., RF; Amber Himes, so., 2B; Katie Kimball, so, RF; Ashley Martin, so, 2B; Brittany Horst, fr., C.
OUTLOOK: A lot of the Spartans’ success will revolve around Horning, who hit .500 last season and will be starting for the fourth year at shortstop, and Gallagher, who hit .390 and struck out 159 batters in 115 innings. Both were all-section picks last year.
Cocalico
COACH: Tracey Franck (11th season).
2007 RECORD: 2-17 overall, 2-14 Section 2.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Heather Diehl, Samantha Imhoff, Kristen Tait, Jacqueline Ulrich.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Brianna Lorditch, sr., 2B; Leah Nixon, sr., 1B; Cara Miller, sr., P; Kim Freed, jr., C; Megan High, jr., OF; Kayla Stover, jr., 3B.
OUTLOOK: The pitching of Miller and freshman Kaitlyn Toner will be a key, and Franck is looking for the leadership of the returning players to put the Eagles in.contention in Section 2.
