SOFTBALL
Trojans win Big Spring Tournament: Chambersburg finished off a week with 6 games, collecting three victories to win the championship of the Big Spring Tournament for the fourth straight year on Saturday.

Malia Cramer

The Trojans defeated Shippensburg 7-2 in the first round, handed State College its first loss of the season in the semifinals, 6-3, and then shut out Northern Lebanon in the final, 5-0.

“The girls did a great job turning the page from Thursday’s loss to Cumberland Valley,” Chambersburg coach Chris Skultety said. “All 18 girls got into a game at some point and brought great energy. We’ll get some deserved rest and be ready to Central Dauphin on Monday.”

In the win over Ship, Saleen Null was 3-for-3 with a two-run home run in the first inning, and she knocked in 3 runs. Addison Gsell was 2-for-3 and also had 3 RBIs, and Bree Paetow was 2-for-4 and swiped 4 bases.

Kori Leedy got the win with 4 innings of 3-hit, shutout ball, striking out 5. Olivia Lebitz was 2-for-3 for the Greyhounds.

The Trojans (8-1) led State College 1-0 until racking up 5 runs in the fifth inning. Bree Paetow reached on an error, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Sam Paetow walked and Gsell knocked in the first run with a single.

Courtesy runner Erissa Varner stole a base and Null got an RBI on a fielder’s choice on which she was safe. A walk to Sanay Jones loaded the bases and Morgan Lehman came through with a two-run base hit. An error on a ball hit by Marley Onomastico scored the final run.

Null was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in and Sam Paetow walked twice. Kori Leedy pitched the first 4 innings and did not allow a run, striking out 9, walking none and gave up only 2 hits.

In the championship game, the Trojans took on 9-1 Northern Lebanon and held the Vikings scoreless. Null pitched the first 6 innings, giving up only 3 hits. Leedy came in for the final inning to close it out.

“Kori and Saleen did their thing, while the defense was simply awesome,” Skultety said.

Gsell, who hit her first career home run Thursday, tripled her total by smacking two homers. She followed up an RBI hit by Sam Paetow in the first inning with a two-run shot to left. She made it 4-0 with a blast to center in the third.

The final run came on a home run to left by freshman Malia Cramer..

Skultety said, “Addie Gsell was locked in at the plate and led the offense all day.”

TRACK & FIELD
Trojans compete at Roddick: Chambersburg competed at the 97th annual Jack Roddick Invitational on Saturday at Shippensburg University and while the team did not bring home any gold medals, the boys managed to place fourth in the team standings.

Peter Mertz

Trojan coach Jim Boyer said, “(Former) coach (Bob) Walker said as we were leaving, ‘Our boys were really well-balanced today, scoring points in the sprints, throws, hurdles, jumps and distance events.’ This meet was really competitive this year.”

Chambersburg had one athlete place third — Antonio Harrison II in the 100 in 10.93, an event won in 10.63 by Jesse Myers of State College.

There were three Trojans who earned fourth place — Owen Shrader in the 1600 (4:24.51), Micah Gunkleman in the high jump and Peter Mertz in the discus (163-0).

Jermere Jones picked up a pair of fifths — he ran 14.81 in the 110 hurdles and jumped 6-0 in the high jump. Mertz also took fifth in the shot put (52-1.5). Also, Ari Snyder was 10th in the 800 in 2:00.97.

Boyer said, “Jermere ran faster in the hurdles than he did this time last year. We had a pile of season and personal bests in the distance events, and Mertz had some big throws. We hope it’s a precursor for what’s to come in the championship season.”

Chambersburg scored 33.5 points to finish behind State College (67), Carlisle (40) and Palmyra (38).

The Trojan girls had only one girl earn points — Lexi Boyd placed seventh in the 3200 in 11:17.69.

Coach Chris Monheim said, “We actually had a really good day, especially the distance runners — just about every one of them had a personal best. Competition was obviously good.