With Tuesday's win over William Allen High School, the Zephyr softball team climbed back to .500, and is ready for a final playoff push.

Using a barrage of hits, the Zephs toppled the Canaries, 10-3. They tallied nine hits in getting their eighth win of the season. It was their third consecutive win, and puts them on much firmer ground within the district playoff picture with four games remaining.

Senior Lauren Mortimer said that is was extremely important to get back to .500 since they're playing teams within the league at this time, and that it also continues the streak they're currently riding.

"I think it's good that we're back at .500 again," said Mortimer. "It's helping us gain momentum."

Mortimer said that the main reason they've been able to string together some wins has been the result of regaining their offensive firepower.

"Our bats finally came alive," said Mortimer. "The hitting became contagious."

She said the team has found their swagger once again, gaining confidence, both at the plate and in the field.

While the team was struggling to gain consistency, Mortimer said it was important as a leader to make sure she keeps her head up so no one else will get discouraged. Body language plays a part since it sends a message.

"I think it's important that we need to have senior leaders on the team," she said. "It keeps everyone together."

While it marked their arrival back to even, head coach Alex Berg-Townsend said she wasn't really happy with the win, primarily because they were not able to shut the door.

"We didn't put away a team when we should have," she said.

She once they got ahead 5-0, they didn't keep their foot on the gas, letting the Canaries plug away, scoring three runs in the ensuing two innings. They eventually started "piecing some more hits together," but it exposed their inability to keep the pressure on a team once they get a lead.

"They got a little too complacent in the beginning of the game," said Berg-Townsend.

She said that will become an emphasis as they move forward.

The current streak has seen their bats come alive, scoring 23 runs over that stretch. Berg-Townsend attributes that to their aggressiveness at the plate.

"The hits now are starting to come," said Berg-Townsend. "They're having more confidence in the batter's box."

She said that confidence has been the foundation of their recent success, something they'll need as they finish the season.

Starting pitcher Andrea Emery went six innings for the win. She has only allowed five runs in the last three games, and has becoming more consistent on the mound. However, Berg-Townsend knows she'll have to find another gear once they tackle Northampton, Nazareth and Parkland if they expect this streak to continue.

"She's going to have to give it all; she's going to have to bear down," said Berg-Townsend. "If we want to have chance with these three teams, she's got to be on top of her A game."

In the win, Braylynn Reimer was 3-4 with two runs scored and 2 RBIs, while Emily Graveno was 2-4 with 2 runs batted in and one run scored.

Wednesday's game against Northampton will b a pivotal contest, facing Marley Laubach who handed them a 2-1 defeat earlier this season.

Berg-Townsend said that they traditionally play Northampton well so the team has confidence, noting that many of the players play against and with Laubach in the summer. The key is being selective.

"It's going to be laying off her rise ball, and it's going to be attacking her from the very get-go," said Berg-Townsend.

Mortimer said the key to winning is getting on her early and making their at-bats productive.

"We just need to be patient and get our pitches," said Mortimer. "We need to get ahead of her."