Still in the hunt: Raiders conquer Cougars, hold onto playoff spot

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Middletown held onto a District 3 Class AAA playoff spot through the next-to-last week of the regular season by beating Harrisburg 9-0 on Tuesday, May 7 in MIddletown.

Photo by Bill Darrah Middletown seniors Kirsten Hrobak, left, and Sarah Crippen were honored at a home game May 3 against Hershey.Third baseman Carlie Wolfe hit two homeruns, a 3-run shot in the first inning that staked the Blue Raiders (9-9) to a 3-0 lead they would never relinquish, and a 2-run shot in the third that upped Middletown’s lead to 5-0.

Pitcher Sarah Gossard held Harrisburg (5-12) to just two hits, and the Raider defense played errorless softball to keep the Cougars off the bases.

Middletown was in 14th place in the District 3 Class AAA power rankings, despite losing a second game – at home to Central Dauphin East – the same week, and having a game Wednesday, May 8 at Biglerville cancelled.

The top 16 teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Raiders fell to Central Dauphin East, 3-1, on Monday, May 6, as MIddletown’s potent offense could not generate many hits against Panthers pitcher Shania Brooks. Brooks limited the Raiders to just four hits and a run in the fifth inning that pulled Middletown within two runs.

Gossard surrendered only six hits, but the Raiders committed three errors in the game.

The Raiders had one game left in the regular season – a clash against local rival Lower Dauphin on Monday, May 13 in Hummelstown.