The Whitehall softball team showcased three main reasons why they’re at the top of the heap in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference when they met Emmaus at Pates Park last Friday.

The Zephyrs can pitch, hit and play defense, and do each of those things at a high level. That’s allowed them to rack up 11 wins so far this season, placing them in a tie atop the Skyline Division with Parkland. One of those two teams will have sole possession of first when they meet Tuesday at Whitehall.

Emmaus got to witness the Zephs ability in each of those categories on Friday evening.

First, they can pitch.

Kay Solderitch, who notched her seventh win in that game, got stronger as the game progressed. She fanned eight Green Hornets en route to the 7-3 win, with a majority of those Ks coming after the fourth inning.

They can also hit.

The Zephs banged out 11 hits, with three of those going for extra bases. They also made solid contact throughout the game, forcing Emmaus to make tough plays, some of which resulted in hits.

Finally, they can throw the leather.

Cara Bonshak was tracking balls in right with clutch catches that helped quiet potential rallies, while shortstop Julia Solderitch and third baseman Ashlee Brosky were gobbling up grounders and turning them into outs.

Having such a well-rounded team has been their ticket to success. That success is something that shouldn’t be surprising to anyone, but challenging Parkland for first place this late in the season has turned some heads. Still, Berg-Townsend keeps it in perspective.

“There’s a difference between what you want and expectations,” said Berg-Townsend. “I know what they’re capable of, but they still have a lot to accomplish and we talk about that in our mental practice.”

She explained that their first 10 games are now over, so that means they’re beginning a new set of 10 (factoring in the postseason), and they’re back to 0-0.

“This is where good teams become great teams, and that’s down the stretch,” she said.

Kay Solderitch was one of the prime reasons their first 10 were so successful. She showed why against Emmaus, weathering some early bumps, but then shut the Green Hornets down late in the game. Berg-Townsend said that Kay Solderitch generally gets stronger as the game wears on.

“I know a lot of that is that she’s feeling warm, she’s got confidence in the defense behind her, and a little of the game nerves are out of her,” said Berg-Townsend.

As opposed to prior years, Berg-Townsend said that this season they can really swing the bats.

“Tonight they showed how well they can hit,” said Berg-Townsend. “They know they’re going to come through.”

She said that once through the lineup, they become dangerous.

That was the case when they faced Emmaus starter Ciara Wippel. They were able to push a run across in the top of the first when Mackenzie Guy ripped an RBI single, scoring Julia Solderitch. It could have been more, but an excellent throw to the plate gunned down Kay Solderitch who led off the inning with a walk. She tried to score on Rachel Spanitz’s fly to left, but a strong throw nailed her just as she attempted to avoid the tag. Guzy then delivered the single to make it 1-0.

The Hornets answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, knotting the score at 1-1.

Spanitz proceeded to untie the game in the third when she belted a double, scoring both Solderitch sisters who had previously singled.

Spanitz said she never faced Wippel before. Her first at-bat resulted in that deep fly to right, and in her second she uncorked that double in the gap. She had two good swings against Wippel who had some zip on the ball.

“She gave me a nice pitch that I thought I could handle it pretty well,” said Spanitz. “I was looking for a strike, because when there’s two strikes on you, you have to protect the plate.”

Spanitz’s original plan was to bunt the ball, but after getting down 0-2, she just wanted to make contact. That hit was part of a five-run inning that set the stage for the win. Also connecting for a double in that inning was Brosky who delivered her blow after Guzy was safe on an error.

Spanitz tacked on another RBI in the top of the fourth, plating Kay Solderitch on a successful sacrifice fly after the pitcher laced a triple to start the inning.

Spanitz said that this season has been built by their strong determination.

“Work hard every day and give it 100 percent,” said Spanitz. “Just pushing it and giving it your all.”

Spanitz said that she knew the team had talent, they just had to put it together.

“I think we’re finally putting it together,” she said.