Whitehall’s softball team started the week with revenge on their minds and succeeded in avenging last season’s loss to Pocono Mountain East in districts by defeating the Cardinals, 13-2, on April 8 at Pocono Mountain East.

“Yesterday was a big day, and you could even see today, their approach at the plate has matured,” said Whitehall coach Jeff Vivian, regarding the Zephyrs’ games in the Poconos and at home against William Allen. “They’re looking for certain pitches and things they can drive, and they’re executing.”

The Zephyrs were 12-1 winners over the Canaries in 5 innings on April 9.

Kassidy Nester was the winning pitcher with 6 strikeouts and 0 walks.

“Usually my fastball and screwball work the best,” Nester said. “It definitely felt good when we kept their score low because I know the girls behind me will always back me up.”

Nester hit a towering ball to the outfield that looked promising but was caught.

“It felt good off the bat,” she said. “I was hoping it was gonna go further than it did, but she made a good catch.”

While William Allen gave up 15 walks, there were four hits among the Zephyrs: a double down the left field line by Josie Shultz, a double to center from Allie Kern, Morgan Laub’s double to right center, and a base hit from Jillian Ziegler.

The Canaries scored their run in the fourth inning on a double to left field, and the game ended on a double play turned by Kate Yadush and Laub.

“This is gonna be a big week for us,” said Coach Vivian. “Tomorrow’s bedlam between us and Northampton, Battle of the Bridge, and we’re looking forward to that.”

Whitehall’s conference record was 3-3 as of April 9.

“Coming out of Myrtle (Beach), I thought we got a lot of good work in. We got a lot of questions answered,” said Vivian, whose Zephyrs then got hit with the flu and senior centerfielder Hannah Bundra’s broken arm.

“Once we got healthy, we started taking steps forward. We were in every game, a one swing-of-the-bat game, except Parkland. Parkland was a little bit of a disaster, and we made it known, as a staff, that we weren’t going to play like that ever again.”

After Whitehall’s rivalry game against Northampton, past Press deadlines, the Zephyrs will travel to East Stroudsburg North on April 12 and will host Pine Grove on April 13.

“We usually do well against Northampton,” said Nester, “and we’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season.”