After dropping its first game of the season to Freedom, Parkland softball head coach Barry Search counted the game as a learning experience for his players. He wanted them to realize that they won’t win games if they didn’t play better than they did in that season opener.

The next day, the Lady Trojans pounded Dieruff 18-0, and they have gone on to show that they have learned lessons from the opening loss and have now won five straight games.

Since that opening loss, Parkland pitching has allowed just three runs while putting up 46 runs in those five games. The Lady Trojans swept back-to-back games against Central Catholic recently winning 14-1 at Patriots Park in Allentown before shutting out the Vikettes 7-0 at home. Katie Zaun pitched a combined 10 innings in the two wins, allowing just five hits and striking out 17 batters. Ashlyn Hillanbrand pitched the final two innings of the win over Central Catholic on Tuesday.

In the two games, Shana Gugliandolo went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Cassidy Sweeney was 3-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBI. Morgan Stay picked up a double and a triple on her way to going 3-for-5 with two runs scored, driving in two and Gia Bigley drove in four runs and scored two with a 2-for-3 performance in the two games. In addition to handling the work on the mound, Zaun homered and was a combined 2-for-4.

Parkland also swept two games against Whitehall, but by much closer margins. The games ended with 3-1 and 4-1 scores. Again, it was Zaun who handled the pitching with 14 innings, giving up just three hits and striking out 14. Both runs that she allowed were unearned.

In the series opener, the top three hitters in the order – Leeanna Zagrodnik, Sweeney and Gugliandolo - provided the offense going a combined 3-for-9 with two runs scored and three RBI. The three went 4-for-9 in the second game with Gugliandolo dropping down to the cleanup spot in the order. Zaun and Maddy Konapelsky both had two hits in the 4-1 win at home.

With a 5-1 mark overall and 5-0 in the EPC, Parkland holds a half-game lead over Emmaus (4-0, 4-2) in the Lehigh County standings. The two teams meet for the first time on Tuesday and will play again Thursday afternoon. The Lady Trojans have a hectic schedule ahead, playing at Allen on Friday, hosting Northampton Saturday and playing at Dieruff Monday before the showdowns with Emmaus.