The Lancaster-Lebanon League held Baseball and Softball Media Day as practices get underway.
Hempfield is looking to defend it's first State Championship after defeating LaSalle. Austin Hinkle takes over as Coach for the Black Knights. Hinkle played in the Tampa Bay Rays organization and was an All-State player at Hempfield. The Black Knights return key starters in Brody Gebhard, Brayden Hostetter and Josh Toole. Hinkle says "We have a good foundation and hope that having that experience will pay dividends."
Manheim Township will be among the teams looking to make a run at the Section One Title. The Blue Streaks beat Hempfield for the League Championship last year. Coach Matt Kirchoff returns Penn State recruit Braden Leed and looks to build on last year's success.
After winning Section Two last season, Ephrata makes the move to Section One. Ephrata Catcher Ty Custer calls it an "awesome new challenge." Penn Manor will be led by Billy Riggs and Cole Miller. McCaskey is looking to compete under Coach Gilbert Vega says "The Seniors need to set the tone. That's very important."
Section Two should be competitive with Elizabethtown and Lampeter-Strasburg battling contenders including Warwick, Conestoga Valley, Solanco and Lebanon. Donegal and Lebanon won Sections Three and Four last year.
On the Softball side Warwick is the defending League Champions Pitcher Kaitlyn Shaak,Shortstop Katie Heisey and First Baseman Marlee Martin return to lead the Warriors. They tied with Hempfield for the Section One Title last season. Shaak says the "team is tight knit and looking forward to the season." Samantha Lichtner takes over at McCaskey. Manheim Township, Penn Manor and Cedar Crest round out Section One.
Solanco is looking to repeat as Section Two Champions while Donegal and Northern Lebanon won Sections Three and Four. Players and coaches are looking forward to the spring weather for practices this week.
