By any objective measure, the Whitehall softball team is having a successful season. They are 10-3 and have already locked up a district playoff berth and seem certain to secure their place in the EPC playoffs in the near future. And while it’s not strictly necessary, it would unquestionably be a boon to the team’s postseason confidence to knock off one of their key EPC West rivals before those tournaments start.

Last Saturday, the Zephyrs traveled to Parkland to wrap up their first pass through the division. The Trojans came out on top 3-2 with all three of their runs being unearned.

Head coach Jeff Vivian gave his assessment of the contest, “We had pressure on them. We were just a hit here, a ball drops in there, that changes the game. Everybody’s going to look and point at various plays, but collectively we just weren’t on top of our little things of the game.”

The play that stood out came in the bottom of sixth with Whitehall holding a 2-1 lead. Parkland’s leadoff hitter singled. The next batter squared around to attempt a sacrifice bunt and got it down in front of the plate. The attempt was made to get the runner at second, but the throw sailed past the base and the centerfielder backing up the play. The batter was able to race around the bases and score what proved to be the winning run.

The Zephyrs got their runs in the first inning when Maddie Lasko ripped a double into the right centerfield gap, plating Jess Spanitz and Kate Yadush both of whom had walked.

Kassy Aquino got the start for Whitehall and scattered 4 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings. She walked two.

The Zephyrs recorded 5 hits and drew 7 walks (2 intentional). Emma Bonshak, Spanitz, Yadush, and Aubrey Steiner all collected singles to go with Lasko’s double.

The team will get their next chance for redemption against one of their rivals on Saturday when they play Emmaus at Pates Park in Allentown. Whitehall will be designated the home team for the game, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. The Hornets won the season’s earlier meeting 3-2 in 9 innings.

That game is sandwiched in between less compelling road contests at Hazelton (Friday), at Allen (Monday), and a return Pates Park on Tuesday at 6:30 to face Central.