The matchup between Lincoln East and Pius X is always highly anticipated between the schools of A street, known as “The Battle of ‘A’ Street”. On Thursday, September 22, 2022, the Spartan softball teams took on the Thunderbolts at Doris Bair. In the 2021-2022 season, the varsity teams each won a game, and this year the Spartans were looking to take control of both (games), successfully doing so.

The reserve team defeated the Thunderbolts by a score of 6-1, with Tristan Yates as the winning pitcher. Josie Schlenker had two hits for the Spartans leading the way. The JV team lost their battle, however, bringing their season record to ten wins and seven losses.

Varsity took care of business in both games, winning the first game by a score of 16-9, and the second 6-4. The team crushed seven home runs that night. Rhiannon Martin (sr) started off with a grand slam, Jordan Bussey (sr), Madison Adams (jr), Berkley Hatten (so), and Delaney Bell (so) also contributed to the home run count in game one. Martin and Adams each hit one long ball in game two.

“Beating Pius is really good for us, because we knew coming into this that they really wanted to beat us,” Hatten said. “Overcoming that is going to help us the rest of the season.”

Senior right-handed pitcher Jordan Bussey went the distance in game one, only allowing six earned runs and striking out eleven. Delaney Bell was the winning pitcher in game two with three strikeouts and two walks. Abby Pinkelman and Bussey each came in for relief. The Spartans were coming off a tough loss to Norfolk two days prior, and were looking to gain momentum again.

“It’s time to get rolling for good now,” Adams said. “We’ve been up and down, and we need to go back up and stay there.”

In the 2021-2022 season, the Spartans finished second in the state, with a record of 37-10. This year, they are currently 22-6 and have similar goals to advance to and finish well in the state tournament.

“Last year we finished second, so we knew we had high expectations and big shoes to fill this fall,” Bussey said. “We have the talent to be just as successful this year, so we’ll see how far that talent takes us.”