The Lady Lancers secured the Number one seed in the 3A West, Section I bracket and have a first-round bye game. They will not play until the sectional quarterfinals.

At the beginning of the softball season, the Lady Lancers made a list of goals they wished to accomplish over the course of the next few months.

1. Have great team chemistry (communication)
2. Give 110% (be coachable)
3. Stay positive- have fun
4. Represent Linganore in a good way
5. Have a successful season

Clearly, all of the team’s goals have been achieved this season; although, the beginning of the season looked a bit dim. The team had lost states last year, as well as eight seniors. Because of this, this year the varsity team is fairly young, with only one starting senior, Jordan McLain.

Captains for the team include sophomores Lauryn Lovewell and Kennedi Ambush, and senior Madi Ambush. Madi Ambush had torn her ACL during an All Star basketball game in March, of which she had to get surgery on, but still supports the Lancers at their games.

Coach Poffinberger says the reasoning behind the sophomores being captains is “They are both very energetic and have excellent knowledge of the game. As a senior, Madi has much experience on the varsity level. Combined the three make excellent leaders and lead the team.”

After the goals list was created, the team played their first game, and crushed Governor Thomas Johnson with a score of 26-0 on March 23. Two days later, they defeated Oakdale 18-4.

The girls have a winning season as of May 6 with a record of 13-4. The best game played was away at Middletown on April 17. At that point, Middletown was undefeated, and they fell hard, 12-2.

In the first inning, the Lancers were leading 4-0, with the first three drawing walks. Lovewell also had a run after she got hit with a pitch. That wasn’t the only walk of the game; the Lady Lancers drew nine walks. Pitcher Kayleigh Day was able to shut down the Knights, who only had four hits, all in the last four innings.

Freshman Jordan Specht had two hits, including a two-run double in the second. Freshman Cailyn Barthlow had a two-run single. Lovewell had a two-run double.

“It was a challenge going into the game. They were undefeated and have one of the best pitchers in the county. But our defense was so strong that day, and our hitting was excellent. The team clicked so well; I’m so proud of them,” says Poffinberger.

Although the team had overcome the Knights, one team has been a roadblock. Urbana has beaten the Lancers two times this season, and they’re a contender  on the radar during the playoffs as well. Playoffs will begin on May 11. The home game will be against South Hagerstown or Tuscarora.

Catcher Jordan Specht says, “I’m excited about post-season; I hope we get to make it to states again. If we play good defense and hit, we are hard to beat.”

The most recent game played was against Winters Mill with a score of 14-1. Poff says that everyone played “expectionally well.”  Lauryn Lovewell had another home run this game, and she leads the team with 6 home runs.
When not on the field, the girls can be found updating their Twitter here.