Lancaster-Lebanon League baseball and softball teams participated in a media day as practices get underway.
Hempfield’s baseball team is looking to defend its first state championship after defeating LaSalle last spring. 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 1 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 2 last season, Ephrata makes the move to Section 1. 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, who says "The Seniors need to set the tone. That's very important."
Section 2 should be competitive with Elizabethtown and Lampeter-Strasburg battling contenders including Warwick, Conestoga Valley, Solanco and Lebanon. Donegal and Lebanon won Sections 3 and 4 last year.
On the softball side Warwick is the defending league Champion. Pitcher Kaitlyn Shaak, shortstop Katie Heisey and first baseman Marlee Martin return to lead the Warriors. They tied with Hempfield for the Section 1 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 1.
Solanco is looking to repeat as Section 2 champion while Donegal and Northern Lebanon won Sections 3 and 4. Players and coaches are looking forward to the spring weather for practices this week.
March 9, 2025
