The Whitehall softball team pounced on Pocono Mountain East early with their bats, scoring in every inning except one as they cruised to an 11-1 win to open the EPC tournament.

That was more than enough for Kay Solderitch who tossed a one-hitter over five innings in a rule-shortened game. She also delivered a bases-clearing triple that helped salt away the game for the Zephs.

The win puts them in the semifinals against Parkland. Those two will square off for the third time on Wednesday at Pates Park.

The Zephs jumped out early, sending 10 batters to the plate in the first, with the first six connecting for hits, prompting a Cardinal pitching change. Kay Solderitch led off with a sharp single up the middle, followed by a bunt single by Julia Solderitch, with Kay Solderitch taking third on the play.

That brought up Rachel Spanitz who stroked a liner to right for their first run, and then Mackenzie Guzy, Ashlee Brosky and Gabrielle Molitoris all singled to give the Zephs the 4-0 lead.

In the circle, Kay Solderitch didn’t allow the Cardinals to muster any threats, sending the first nine batters back to the dugout. She finished with 10 strikeouts.

“I just tried to hit my spots as best as I could,” said Kay Solderitch. “I knew if they did hit it, I had my fielders behind me to make the plays.”

Kay Solderitch had to endure a few illegal pitch calls. She said it didn’t disrupt her focus and actually made her throw harder.

“When they call it, it makes me think, all right, what do I have to do to fix this, what do I have to do to make them stop calling it,” said Kay Solderitch.

Julia Solderitch’s defense at short kept the damage to a minimum in the only inning the Cardinals scored. After Jess Bishop walked, she was awarded second on an illegal pitch. That’s when Julia made a spectacular pick at short, keeping the shutout intact.

It wasn’t enough to preserve the shutout, though, since Alyssa Beyers’ double brought home Bishop. However, Rachel Arner gunned down Beyers at third with a relay throw ending the inning. However, the Cardinals were able to push a run across since Bishop scored before Alyssa Beyers, who was trying to stretch her hit, was tagged out at third.

“I just try to focus on every play and be ready every play even if the ball doesn’t get hit to me,” said Julia Solderitch.

Her defensive success is also rooted in knowing how to position herself and that comes from watching what her sister is going to throw to each batter.

Cara Bonshak was another key contributor. The right fielder finished the game with three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored.

Head coach Berg-Townsend said that getting on the board quickly again PME was a welcome sign. They didn’t want to look past their opponent.

“We have to take that game and that moment,” said Berg-Townsend. “I was happy to see what the team was able to do.”

They had to face three pitches over the course of the game, and she was pleased the way they adapted.

She also said it helped build confidence heading into Wednesday’s game against Parkland. The key to advancing to the finals will be to block out who it is they’re playing and simply do their jobs.

“I think just it’s going to be coming out and playing our game,” said Berg-Townsend.

Guzy knows there’s still a lot of work to do.

“This win is just a first step in what we want to achieve,” said Guzy. “We’re just going to keep getting better and better and reach our goal.”