Since a 2-1 loss to Northampton, the Parkland softball team has gone nearly two weeks without allowing a run and has won five straight games to up its East Penn Conference record to 11-0 and its overall record to 12-2 on the season.

During the winning streak, not only has Parkland been keeping opponents away from the plate, but the Trojans have been stingy about even giving up hits. Over the five games, opponents have just nine hits against two Parkland pitchers, who have combined to strike out 59 batters.

Ashlyn Hillanbrand started the streak against Dieruff (0-10 EPC, 0-11 overall) when she threw a five-inning complete game against the Lady Huskies, allowing just two hits and striking out nine. Since then, it’s been all Katie Zaun, who no-hit Emmaus in the first meeting of the two teams and then held the Hornets to two hits in the rematch in a 2-0 win, striking out 27 batters in the games against the division rival Hornets (7-5, 8-7).

Since then, Zaun has delivered 12 shutout innings against Easton (6-5, 6-7), striking out a 23 Red Rover batters in two games, which Parkland won 11-0 and 7-0.

“Katie is really coming into her own,” said Trojan head coach Barry Search. “It’s a shame that she missed last season because she would be even further ahead in her development, but she’s making up for lost time and she knows what she’s doing out there.”

In the win over Dieruff, Lucia Ruimy launched a grand slam and scored four runs for Parkland with Sydney Stewart driving in three and Megan Sotack delivering two RBIs.

Ellyana Kromer finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Jenna Piatkiewicz homered in the 2-0 win over the Hornets, giving Parkland five home runs during their five-game win streak. Piatkiewicz and Maddie Konapelsky and Zaun all homered in the two wins over Easton.

“Our offense has been a little spotty in a couple games, so we’re still working on some consistency and it’s a work in progress,” said Search, whose team has averaged just over eight runs per game through 14 games this season.

The loss to Northampton was a nonconference game, so the Lady Trojans are still undefeated in league play and are currently the top-seeded team. Freedom, who also downed Parkland in a nonconference game, is 11-2 in the EPC and Northampton is 9-1 as they battle for the top spot.

In districts, four teams are grouped near the top of the Class 6A rankings, with Northampton in the top spot with a 12-1 overall record and Parkland at 12-2. Freedom and Whitehall are both 11-2 overall. All four teams have qualified for district play.

“We still have some things to work on and some things that we have to get better at, but the kids are working hard and they’re all focused,” said Search. “We’ve still got some difficult games to get through and we have to play hard and stay focused. Right now, it’s not about getting to the playoffs – we’re in good shape there – it’s just about improving and being ready for the playoffs.”

Over the next week, the Trojans have games at East Stroudsburg South (5-5, 5-5) and Freedom (11-2, 11-2) and they host Pocono Mountain West (1-6, 1-7), Nazareth (5-7, 5-8) and have a rematch with Northampton (9-1, 12-1) at home next Thursday.