Matthew Knaub: Exeter dominates Waynesboro in first round of District 3 Class 5A softball playoffs

May 24—Exeter made quick work of its District 3 Class 5A first-round softball playoff game on Monday.

The top-seeded Eagles scored 10 runs in the third inning on their way to a 16-1 win over No. 16 seed Waynesboro in four innings at Reiffton to advance to the quarterfinals.

Exeter's big rally was ignited by center fielder Taylor Mentzer, who reached base on an error and came around to score on a single from right fielder Alaina Zatorski. A freshman, Zatorski led the Eagles with three hits and five RBIs.

Exeter continued to add to their lead with small ball and led 10-1 after three innings. The Eagles batted through the order in the third inning, including two hits from Zatorski.

"We had to adjust to the pitching," Exeter shortstop Haley Speicher said. "We just kept stringing hits together and put runs on the board."

The Berks champion Eagles continued their offensive onslaught in the fourth, scoring six runs to end the game via the 15-run rule. Mentzer played a major role in Exeter's fourth-inning scoring burst, hitting a three-run double before coming around to score the final run of the game on a single from Zatorski.

"She steps up," Eagles coach John Casner said about Mentzer. "She comes through."

Mentzer finished with four RBIs and two runs. She has recorded an RBI in each of Exeter's four games this postseason.

"The pressure just makes me focus more," Mentzer said. "Big games are a lot of fun."

Nine different Eagles recorded a hit in the game, including six players with multi-hit games. In the leadoff position Speicher finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs.

Exeter also got production from the bottom of its order, as first baseman Cheyenne Boyles, designated player Mackenzie O'Brien and left fielder Taylor Hill each finished with two hits. O'Brien recorded two RBIs, while Boyles had one.

"They sometimes are the spark," Casner said about his 7, 8 and 9 hitters. "It's nice having that kind of talent."

Junior Morgan Herb was stout for the Eagles in the circle, allowing just three hits and one run in four innings. She struck out four

"She's doing amazing right now," Speicher said about Herb. "She always has a positive attitude."

Herb allowed her lone run in the first inning, as Waynesboro scored thanks to an RBI triple from center fielder Cameron Witte. Herb was opposed by Indians starter Michelle Baker, who allowed five runs in two innings and was tabbed with the loss.

"Every game is a stepping stone," Casner said. "We don't take anybody for granted."

The Eagles will host either No. 8 Elizabethtown or No. 9 Mechanicsburg in a quarterfinal game Thursday.